Michigan State University reserves the right to make changes to the types, structures, and rates for fees, deposits, tuition, and housing. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.
Application Fee
An application fee, not applicable to any other charge and not refundable, is required of each person applying for admission as an undergraduate, graduate-professional or graduate student. Payment must accompany the application that is submitted to the Office of Admissions. A domestic applicant who is financially unable to submit the application processing fee may request an application fee waiver (note that international students are not eligible for these waivers and they are rarely granted for graduate school applicants).
All entering undergraduate students are required to pay a $250 Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED). First-year students planning a fall semester enrollment should submit a deposit as soon as they have decided to enroll at MSU, but no later than May 1. MSU reserves the right to cancel a student's admission if they do not submit their deposit by May 1. Any student planning to enroll for either the spring or summer semester should submit the deposit within four weeks from the date of their admission.Payment by the student confirms acceptance of admission, reserves the student a place in the entering class, and automatically registers the student for a required New Student Orientation (NSO). An admitted student who is financially unable to submit the AED may request a deferral by contacting the Office of Admissions. If you qualified for an application fee waiver, a portion of your deposit will be deferred automatically to the first tuition bill. The $250 AED is fully refundable to fall first-year students who cancel their admission prior to May 1. To receive a refund, students must cancel their application in their account by clicking the “cancel application” link, after which MSU will automatically process a refund. Please note that the deposit is nonrefundable for first-year students enrolling for spring and summer semesters, as well as for all transfer students.
Students are assessed tuition and fees each semester on the basis of their level, class, residency status, and number of credits carried. Undergraduate students taking 12 – 18 credit hours will be charged a flat tuition rate. Tuition is charged on a per credit hour basis for undergraduate students taking fewer than 12 credit hours. If a student has more than 18 credits, the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit hour over 18 applies. Units are listed below in footnote.Certain courses may be assessed additional section fees, such as certain kinesiology courses, that are not reflected in the Tuition, Fees, and Student Voted Taxes tables below. Further information regarding additional section fees can be found in the Schedule of Courses in the course description content.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.
For current tuition rates, visit the Student Accounts Web site at http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/COStudentAccounts/Tuition_Fees_MainMenu_Year.aspx.
All doctoral students must register and pay for a minimum of 24 credits of doctoral dissertation research (course number 999).
All students using university services (faculty consultation included) must be registered each semester. Minimum registration consists of one course, one credit.
Late Enrollment
All Semesters:
The rates listed below are for first-year students for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 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.
Dining Service for 2023-2024 includes expanded serving hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 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, and 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
Silver
Gold
Platinum
$2,427
$3,450
$3,600
$3,750
$5,877
$6,027
$6,177
* Designated Single Room (add $1,652 per semester) Permanent Single Room (add $957 per semester)
Owen Graduate Hall (per semester)1, 2, 5
1855 Place Single Student Apartments (monthly rates)6
University Apartments,2, 41855 Place Family Apartments (monthly rates)
University Village Apartments (monthly rates)
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. 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.For more information on living at MSU visit www.liveon.msu.edu.
Course and Class Fees
Certain courses require course and class fees. The costs must be paid by the participating students in addition to tuition and fees.
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 are eligible for a waiver and can demonstrate other health 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. Medical students and some eligible international 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.
Vehicles, motorcycle, electric mobility devices, 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. Visit www.parking.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.
2023-2024 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.parking.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
Current Michigan State students can purchase exclusive student admission packages for Spartan football, men’s basketball and hockey by visiting MSUSpartans.com/STX or by calling the Spartan Ticket Office at 1-517-355-1610. For the football season, the student package ($168 for 2023) includes entry to all six home games and the official student section t-shirt. Memberships to the Izzone ($55), the official student section of Spartan men’s basketball, are available which provides you access to purchase individual game tickets for only $10 and the official Izzone t-shirt. Season admission to the Munnsters, the official hockey student section, are also for sale, which includes admission to all home games and the official Munnsters jersey. All packages are on sale until capacity is reach or the season begins. Also, Michigan State students receive free admission to all other home Spartan athletic events: women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, baseball, softball, field hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s golf, track and field and cross country. For more information regarding MSU student sections, visit MSUSpartans.com/studentsections or email students@ath.msu.edu.
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.
If a student withdraws from the university or drops a course, the refund policy will be:
When dropping a course, the date the notification from the department is received in the Office of the Registrar will determine the amount of refund applicable.
Appeals concerning the refund policy should be referred to the Office of the Registrar.Medical Withdrawal Policy for Class Tuition and Fees RefundIf a medical withdrawal is approved with a committee-required last date of attendance starting with the first day of semester through the last day of the end of the semester refund period, students receive “no record class drops and 100% tuition and fees refund. If a medical withdrawal is approved with a committee-required last date of attendance starting with the first day of no tuition refund through the last day of the semester, students receive W grades and a lump-sum tuition refund of $500 which is the approximate cost of 1 tuition credit hour for an in-state Freshman.
Dropping Credits
Withdrawal from the University
Return of Funds Policy for Federal Financial Aid Recipients Who WithdrawWhen a student who received federal financial aid, referred to as Title IV aid, withdraws from a term, the Office of Financial Aid is required to perform a calculation to see what portion of the disbursed aid must be returned by the school and/or the student, and to determine if any undisbursed aid can still be released.There are three types of withdrawals that fall under the return to Title IV (R2T4) regulations:
When a student is considered to have withdrawn, as described above, during an enrollment period in which they have begun attendance and received federal Title IV financial aid, Michigan State University is required to determine the amount of earned and unearned Title IV aid. A student is only eligible to retain the percentage of Title IV aid disbursed that is equal to the percentage of the enrollment period that was completed by the student (calculated daily). The unearned Title IV aid must then be returned to the appropriate federal aid programs. If more than 60% of the enrollment period has been completed by the student, no Title IV aid needs to be returned.According to university policy, when a student withdraws prior to the quarter of the semester and/or receives a 100% tuition refund from the university, all of that semesters federal Title IV grant aid (FSEOG, Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant) will be billed back to the students account. Most non-federal aid will also be billed back to the student’s account. All Title IV aid will be included in the calculations outlined below. Depending on the results of the calculations, some or all of the federal grant aid may be re-disbursed to the student account.The following steps will be followed when determining the amount of Title IV aid to be returned upon withdrawal:
A student may be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement if, prior to withdrawing, the student earned more federal financial aid than was disbursed. If a student is eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement of federal grants, it will be processed for the student and a refund will be issued within 14 days of the credit balance.If the post-withdrawal disbursement includes loan funds, Michigan State University must get the student’s permission before it can disburse the loan. Students may choose to decline some or all of the loan funds so that s/he does not incur additional debt. A notice will be sent out to the student, and the signed, original document must be returned to the Office of Financial Aid within 14 days. Michigan State University may automatically use all or a portion of the post-withdrawal disbursement of grant funds for tuition and fees. However, the school needs the student’s permission to use the post-withdrawal grant disbursement for all other school charges. If the student does not give his/her permission, the student will be offered the funds. However, it may be in the student’s best interest to allow the school to keep the funds to reduce the student’s debt at the school.It is also important to understand that accepting a post-withdrawal disbursement of student loan funds will increase a student’s overall student loan debt that must be repaid under the terms of the Master Promissory Note. Additionally, accepting the disbursement of grant funds will reduce the remaining amount of grant funds available to the student should the student continue his/her education at a later time.Example of a Title IV return of funds calculation:Institutional Charges $5,000Title IV Loans $2,000Title IV Grants $1,000Total Title IV Aid $3,000Student withdrew on 35th day of a 110-day enrollment period.Percent Earned 35/110 = 32%Percent Unearned 100% - 32% = 68%Amount of Title IV aid unearned $3,000 x 68% = $2,040MSU is responsible for returning the lesser of unearned Title IV aid ($2,040 from above) or unearned institutional charges ($5,000 x 68% = $3,400). MSU will return aid as follows:Title IV Loans $2,000 (students remaining loan debt = 0)Title IV Grants $40The student’s responsibility is amount of aid unearned ($2,040) less school responsibility ($2,040), which is zero.The example shown above does not reflect every student refund situation that may exist. Questions regarding this policy should be addressed to the Office of Financial Aid.The University reserves the right to amend this policy at any time in order to comply with Federal regulations.Refund Rules for Other Fees, Taxes, Assessments
The Engineering Program Fee, Science and Technology Fee, Health Science Program Fee, Broad College of Business Program Fee, and the Computational Mathematics Science and Engineering Fee or the differential is refunded in the same percentage as course fees when withdrawing from the University or dropping from above 4 credits to 4 credits or less.
Student government taxes, FM Radio tax, and The State News assessments are refundable upon presentation of the appropriate receipt at the respective organization's office.
Late registration fees will not be refunded.
Residence Hall housing fees are refunded on a pro-rata basis, based on certain variables. In some instances, the cost of room and board may be prorated as of the day following departure, if proper check-out procedures have been followed. Details and procedures are found in the On-Campus Housing Handbook: Terms and Conditions.
University Apartment rent refunds - Tenants will be held to their lease end date, so no proration will occur if they move out early. Refunds for tenants who have been officially released from their lease will be prorated as of the day following the official check out time.In general, all fees collected by Michigan State University and their respective refund policies shall be subject to judicial review as provided in Student Rights and Responsibilities at Michigan State University.Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.
All fees, tuition, and housing charges noted above except those in the sections labeled Advanced Payments and Deposits and Miscellaneous Fees and Deposits are due and payable upon issuance of a Billing Statement for the semester. The bill is only available online in .the student portal. Paper bills are not mailed. Students will be notified by e-mail when the Registration Billing Statement is available in the student portal. Please refer to the Student Accounts Web site at: ctlr.msu.edu/costudentaccounts for more detailed information. Payment may be made by electronic check/ACH or credit card through the student portal student.msu.edu. Payments may also be made by check or money order payable to Michigan State University. Payments made with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards are only accepted via the web and carry a convenience fee. Checks are accepted subject to collection. Wire payments are facilitated through our partnership with Flywire. More information can be found in the payment portal for Flywire payments. Most 529 payments can be made electronically in the payment portal.
Students may choose to enroll in a payment plan to assist with making their payments. A $40 nonrefundable enrollment fee is required with the first payment. For fall and spring semesters, a 25% down payment is required at the time of enrollment, plus the $40 payment plan enrollment fee. The remaining balance will be paid in three equal amounts over the course of the semester (if enrolled by a certain date). For summer semester, a 33% down payment is required at the time of enrollment, plus the $40 payment plan fee. The remaining balance will be paid in two equal amounts. (if enrolled by certain date). Fall Semester
Initial Payment due date August 252nd installment due date October 13rd installment due date November 14th installment due date December 1
Spring Semester
Initial Payment due date January 82nd installment due date February 13rd installment due date March 14th installment due date April 1
Summer Semester
Initial Payment due date May 102nd installment due date June 63rd installment due date July 1
A $30 late payment charge will apply whenever any payment is made after the due date. Students will be held from enrolling for future semesters whenever current semester payment plan payments are past due. Failure to make deferred payments on a timely basis may also result in the loss of the opportunity to defer payments.Students receiving VA chapter 31 or 33 funding will not be subject to certain penalties, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, due to the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from the VA under chapter 31 or 33.
All financial aid (except College Work Study) which has been authorized at the time the MSU Billing Statement is produced will appear on the bill as Anticipated Aid. Actual financial aid payments are not made until ten days before the first class day of the semester. Until that time, aid which students are eligible to receive will be listed on the bill and will reduce the amount owed.Aid that does not appear as Anticipated on the account may require additional actions in the Student Financial Planning (SFP) financial aid system. Students or authorized guests may visit the portal at https://student.msu.edu/splash.html to view requested documents or actions.Eligibility for each award is monitored during the semester and may change due to changes in enrollment as of the time it is credited to the account through the end of the semester. Refer to the Office of Financial Aid web page at https://finaid.msu.edu/ for further information on types of aid and the requirements for each.If the total financial aid credited to the account exceeds the amount owed, the student may be entitled to a refund. Refunds are sent via Direct Deposit by the Student Accounts Office according to their calendar and students can contact that office for more information.NOTE: Financial Aid for the current academic year may be used to pay past due debts on the account up to a maximum of $200. The student must contact the Student Accounts Office to request this service. Some exceptions may be made for non-federal funds. Students should review their financial aid resources to determine that they have excess funds before contacting Student Accounts.Additional aid that is awarded after a semester's bill has been produced is automatically applied to the account and will pay on that semester's costs. A prior debt of up to $200 will automatically be paid with financial aid unless the student informs the Student Accounts Office to the contrary in writing 10 days before the start of the semester.
Costs for books vary widely for various academic programs. The average costs for undergraduates is estimated to be $667 per semester. For graduates, the cost estimate is $881 per semester. Graduate/professional costs vary from law ($1536 per semester) to $938 per term for first year medical and veterinary students.Financial Aid and RepeatsFederal 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.
[Includes rejected electronic check/Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments]
A $25.00 returned item service fee will be assessed to a student whose ACH/Check payment is returned from their financial institution to MSU unpaid.In addition to the returned item service charge, the university reserves the right to take one or more of the following actions:
Spouses of registered students may obtain IDs entitling them to certain privileges. The student and spouse must appear in person in 170 International Center and present the student’s Michigan State University ID, the spouse's government issued ID, and proof of marriage. There is no charge for an initial non-prox spouse card, however, if a prox card is required to obtain door access or a meal plan, then the card requires a $10 fee which can be paid by cash, check or credit card.
A. AUTHORITY FOR HOLD USE
B. CRITERIA FOR HOLD USE
C. FURTHER GENERAL STIPULATIONS
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.
Michigan State University (MSU) has autonomous, constitutional authority from the State of Michigan to establish the university’s “Regulations for Qualifying for In-State Tuition” and the definition of student residency status as it related to in-state fee status. In other words, Michigan State University’s residency guidelines are independent of other State of Michigan rules or regulations governing residency for other purposes (such as income and property tax liability or eligibility to vote or drive).Michigan State University is supported by legislative funds derived from State of Michigan tax revenue. As a state tax-supported institution, the university gives preference in admission and tuition to long-term residents of the State of Michigan—that is, to students whose circumstances meet the university’s definition of “domicile.”Michigan State University will review the application of students who believe they should be classified as in-state under the regulations. If a student is seeking in-state tuition based on Michigan domicile, but the student’s presence in the state is based on activities or circumstances that are determined to be temporary or indeterminate, the student will be classified as out-of-state.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 they have been incorrectly classified may complete an Application for Classification to In-State Fee Status (see Section VI., below). The application and documentation described in Section VI should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 150, East Lansing, MI 48824-2603 or emailed to feeclass@msu.edu in .pdf format at least thirty (30) days before the start of the semester for which reclassification is sought.Frequently Asked QuestionsAnswers to frequently asked questions about the fee classification process are available in the In-State Tuition Status section of the Office of the Registrar FAQ page. For questions or assistance with the application, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 1-517-432-3488 or feeclass@msu.edu.STUDENTS MAY QUALIFY FOR IN-STATE TUITION STATUS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
Each residence hall has a team comprised of a community director, neighborhood administrative coordinators, community support staff, residence directors or assistant community directors, resident assistants, facilities building workers, 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 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 1-517-884-5483, 1-877-954-8366 or liveon@msu.edu.
Housing is available for summer session, although reservations are handled separately from those for the regular academic 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.
Staff members in the office provide general advice and information to persons with problems arising from off-campus housing situations. Students are also encouraged to visit offcampushousing.msu.edu for local listings and general information. Off-campus dining plans are available for purchase.
Many of Michigan State University's 61 nationally and internationally affiliated fraternities and sororities offer chapter houses in which their members may live in accordance with the Group Housing program. Chapter members are responsible for the business aspects of managing a chapter house, as well as providing activities addressing leadership development, community service, sports and recreation, social life, alumni relations, accountability and responsibility for their members. For more information on this collegiate living experience, contact Fraternity and Sorority Life at 1-517-355-8286.
In general, living in religious living units is similar to living in other residences with the addition of a denominational religious experience. These units include Living ROCK (men), East Lansing Student Living Center (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), and the Hillel Jewish Student Center.
University Housing Assignments Office
Housing Assignments Office1855 Place550 S. Harrison RoadMichigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI 48823Telephone: 1-517-884-LIVE (5483) or877-9 LIVE ON (954-8366)E-mail: liveon@msu.eduWeb: liveon.msu.edu
Culinary Services
Culinary Services Office1855 Place550 S. Harrison RoadEast Lansing, MI 48823Telephone: 1-517-884-0660E-mail: info@eatatstate.comWeb: eatatstate.com
Off-Campus Housing
Student and Community Relations555 E. Circle Drive, Room 169Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI 48824-1113Telephone: 1-517-432-7527
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.
In accordance with the University Housing Policy, the following stipulations apply:
On-Campus Housing Requirement. Subject to the exceptions below, as a condition of enrollment, first year and second year students must live in on-campus housing for the first four semesters they are enrolled, summer term excluded, and subject to the exceptions listed below. Failure to adhere to the on-campus housing requirement may result in termination of enrollment.Exceptions to On-Campus Housing Requirement. The on-campus housing requirement above is subject to the following exceptions:
Any student seeking an exception to the on-campus housing requirement, must apply for the exception prior to moving into university housing. The most current housing exceptions and procedures for an exception can be obtained by contacting the Office of Student and Community Relations, Student Services Building, 555 E. Circle Drive, Room 169,East Lansing, MI, 48824, at 1-517-355-8286 or visiting liveon.msu.edu.
Those students for whom the housing requirement is a condition of enrollment will be asked to verify their adherence to it. Failure to maintain the required residency could result in termination of enrollment. Enforcement of the housing regulations is the responsibility of the Division of Student Life and Engagement. The housing requirement does not apply to students during a semester in which they are enrolled for 6 or fewer credits or during the summer. In any subsequent semester during which the student carries 7 or more credits, the requirement will again become applicable.
Every student is required to report their correct current address at the time of registration and to report any change of address thereafter. Failure to register the actual address at which they are living, or failure to notify the university of a change of address within five class days after the change becomes effective, will be considered as falsification of university records. Change of off-campus address is made in the Office of the Registrar or via Stulnfo. Change of on-campus address is made in the student's My Housing account. Holds can be placed on accounts not in compliance.
The Residence Education and Housing Services Housing Contracts is in effect for the period stated in the terms of the Contract. Any student, regardless of class standing, is obligated to fulfill the duration of the Housing Contract unless an authorized release is obtained. (Note: Application for release may be made through Residence Education and Housing Services.) This regulation applies to all students (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, special and graduate) who enter into a contract for on-campus housing.
Only those persons who have received official housing assignments may live in university housing.
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. This is also referred to as Primary 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 My Profile at student.msu.edu.
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 student.msu.edu 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.
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 that are part of organized courses of instruction must be borne by the participating students and are additional to the usual course fees.
Students who wish to change from one section to another in the same course may do so in the student information system on or before the open add end date. This date is displayed in the student information system Class Search and corresponds to the first 1/14th of the course. After the open add 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 their 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, and 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. This is especially important if appointed as a graduate assistant.
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 their courses within a semester. Students may drop all 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, and 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.
Additionally:
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 their college or the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative. Exceptions are James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, and 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 are 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 for in-person hybrid and online synchronous classes, it may not be scheduled at any time other than the date and hour listed in Schedule of Courses. Online asynchronous classes must administer final exams remotely/online, if a final is given.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 remediate 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.
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:
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.
LectureDefinition: 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.
RecitationDefinition: 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.DiscussionDefinition: 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.
SeminarDefinition: 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.
LaboratoryDefinition: 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.
StudioDefinition: 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.
OnlineDefinition: A class in which all instruction is delivered in an online environment. Online courses are classified as on-campus courses. Course content may be delivered in one of the following formats: Asynchronous instruction provides learning materials and requirements for online interaction with faculty and other students. The course will not have required attendance at regularly scheduled meeting times. Includes deadlines for completion of learning objectives and testing (may be proctored) to meet course requirements. Synchronous instruction requires online interaction at scheduled meeting times as posted on the schedule of courses page. A synchronous class has required attendance and includes deadlines for completion of learning objectives and testing (may be proctored) to meet course requirements.
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.
WorkshopDefinition: 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.
InstituteDefinition: 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 StudyDefinition: 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 PracticumDefinition: Professional practice under supervision of an instructor, assisted, where necessary, by additional experienced professionals. Broad outline of possible topics and procedures is provided.
Clinical ClerkshipDefinition: 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.
InternshipDefinition: 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 InternshipDefinition: 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 StudyDefinition: 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 ResearchDefinition: 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 ResearchDefinition: 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 the Course Formats and Credits section of this catalog.
Distance education includes in-person, online, and hybrid instructional delivery.
For in-person programs, 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 EmphasisA set of disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses exclusively for teacher certification programs. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.
CognateA set of related disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.
ConcentrationA set of disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses within a major. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.Undergraduate CertificateConstructed in selected fields as complements to degree programs or minors or as distinct offerings. Issuance of an undergraduate certificate signifies completion course work, co-curricular experiences, or specified training.Type 1 - Directly related to, yet distinct from, a degree program or programs offered by an academic college, department, or school.Type 2 - Distinct entity not related to a degree program or minor.Type 3 - Distinct entity designed for external stakeholders and guest students not related to a degree program or minor.Type 4 - Distinct entity designed for undergraduate students and guest students.Type 5 - Directly related to a degree program as part of the degree program’s requirements.
Graduate CertificateConstructed 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.
MajorA primary field of study named as a specific degree program. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.
MinorA secondary field of study at the undergraduate level. Final approval is concurrent with the degree certification process.
Graduate SpecializationAn interdisciplinary program of thematically related courses. Final approval is concurrent with the degree certification process.
Teaching MinorA 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 standard (15 to 19 credits) full semester fall or spring courses: undergraduate and graduate-professional students, 12 credits; master’s level students, 9 credits; and doctoral level students, 6 credits. Students must carry the following minimum credits in the summer session (14 weeks): undergraduate and graduate-professional students, 9 credits; master's level students, 7 credits; and doctoral level students, 4 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 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 CEUs and Michigan State Board of Education SCECHs (State Continuing Education Clock Hours), visit the Office of the Registrar at www.reg.msu.edu. You may also contact the Coordinator of Continuing Education Programs at 1-517-432-3987 in room 150 of the 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://explore.msu.edu/apply/. Select either "First-time Users" or "Returning Users."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 those not wishing to pursue an undergraduate or graduate Michigan State University degree. This status is limited to those 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.)
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.
Hearing Procedures
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
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:
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.
The numerical system consists of the following scale. 4.0 - 3.5 - 3.0 - 2.5 - 2.0 - 1.5 - 1.0 - 0.0.
Grading Procedure of the Numerical System:
Since the novel coronavirus pandemic required significant changes to instruction, S-Satisfactory and NS-Not Satisfactory grades were made available to undergraduate and graduate students for Spring 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 classes. Summer 2021 S/NS grades were available for undergraduate students only.S-Satisfactory – Credit granted represents a level of performance equivalent to 1.0 and higher for undergraduate students and 2.0 and higher for graduate students. NS-Not Satisfactory – No credit granted represents a level of performance below 1.0 for undergraduate students and below 2.0 for graduate students except for the College of Veterinary Medicine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students where NS represents performance below 1.0.
Effective for Fall 2023 only, the Credit-No Credit system deadline has been extended to the last day of the class. The credit-no credit system is intended to allow students to study in areas outside the major field of study without jeopardizing their grade-point averages. In the credit-no credit system the following symbols are used.
CR-Credit—means that credit is granted and represents a level of performance equivalent to or above the grade-point average required for graduation. Thus, undergraduate students must perform at or above the 2.0 level before credit is granted; graduate students must perform at or above the 3.0 level.
NC-No Credit—means that no credit is granted and represents a level of performance below the grade-point average required for graduation, i.e., below 2.0 for undergraduate students, below 3.0 for graduate students.
Grading Procedure of the CR-NC System
Enrollment in the CR-NC SystemEnrollment on a CR-NC basis is open to students, at their option, subject to the following conditions:
This system is used only in courses specifically approved by the University Committee on Curriculum. Non-credit courses and those involving field experience are the usual types of courses approved for P-N grading. Courses approved for P-N grading are so marked in the Schedule of Courses on the web.
In the pass-no grade system the following symbols are used:
P-Pass—means that credit is granted and that the student achieved a level of performance judged to be satisfactory by the instructor.
N-No Grade—means that no credit is granted and that the student did not achieve a level of performance judged to be satisfactory by the instructor.
The Conditional Pass (CP) marker is used only for graduate-professional students in the College of Human Medicine and the College of Veterinary Medicine when all of the following criteria are met:
The required work must be completed and a grade (P or N or numeric) must be reported to the Office of the Registrar no later than the middle of the student's next semester in attendance, if that semester is within one calendar year following the receipt of the CP. An exception may be made if an instructor submits an administrative action form stating that the course structure necessitates delay of remediation grading until the end of the student's next semester in attendance (excluding summer session).
When the specified remediation activity is completed or the time allowed for remediation has expired, the grade of P or N or numeric is assigned. The completion of the remediation activity within the time allowed results in a grade of P or 1.0, and failure to complete the specified remediation activity by the due date results in a grade of N or 0.0.
The V-Visitor—is recorded on the transcript in credit courses for students enrolled as a visitor on a non-credit basis. Choice of the V-Visitor must be communicated by the student to the Office of the Registrar during the first 1/14th of the term of instruction (the 5th day of classes in the fall and spring semesters) and may not be changed after that date.
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.
The I-Incomplete may be given only when: the student (a) has completed at least 6/7 of the term of instruction, but is unable to complete the class work and/or take the final examination because of illness or other compelling reason; and (b) has done satisfactory work in the course; and (c) in the instructor's judgment can complete the required work without repeating the course.
Provided these conditions are met, the instructor electing to give an I-Incomplete files an Agreement for Completion of (I) Incomplete at the time course grades are due. This agreement specifies what the student must do, and when. The department or school office gives a copy to the student, and retains a copy for at least one year.
The required work must be completed, and a grade must be reported to the Office of the Registrar, no later than the middle of the student's next semester in attendance (summer session excluded) if that semester is within one calendar year following receipt of the I-Incomplete. Exception to this deadline: An instructor may submit an Administrative Action stating that course structure necessitates delay of make-up grading until the end of the student's next semester in attendance. The grade reported appears on the student’s academic record.
Failure to complete the required work by the due date will result in a grade of 0.0, NC or N, depending on the grading system under which the student was enrolled. (A student who does not register for Michigan State University courses subsequent to receipt of an I-Incomplete has one calendar year to complete the required work; after that, the I-Incomplete will become U-Unfinished and will be changed to U on the student's academic record, and the course may be completed only by re-enrollment).
An extension of time for completion of the required work may be approved by the college offering the course only by means of an Administrative Action documenting physician-certified illness or other extraordinary circumstances.
An Extension of Time is a formal agreement between the instructor and the student. After an Extension of Time has been filed, the work must be done by the deadline determined by the instructor or the I-Incomplete will be changed to 0.0, NC, or N depending on the grading system under which the student was enrolled.
The DF-Deferred applies to the numerical, the CR-NC, and P-N grading systems.
Given only to graduate students who are doing satisfactory work but cannot complete the course work because of reasons acceptable to the instructor.
The required work must be completed and a grade reported within six months (190 calendar days from the last class day of the term of instruction), with the option of a single six-month extension (190 calendar days). If the required work is not completed within the time limit, the DF-Deferred will become U-Unfinished and will be changed to U. This rule does not apply to graduate thesis or dissertation work.
The ET-Extension applies to the numerical, the CR-NC, and P-N systems.
Given to undergraduate, graduate, and graduate-professional students only in courses specifically approved by the University Committee on Curriculum. Approval requires specification of the time period within which work must be completed. Courses that involve field experience or thesis work and courses in which work normally extends beyond one semester are the types of courses normally considered.
A final grade must be reported upon completion of the final course in the sequence or in the time approved for the completion of the work. If a final grade is not reported in these periods, the ET will be changed to 0.0, NC or N, depending on the grading system under which the student was enrolled.
Effective for Spring 2023 only, please see https://advising.msu.edu/about/credit-no-credit for a one term adjustment to course eligibility, credit limits, and repeats. See the revised policy at https://policies.msu.edu/_assets/pdfs/policies/registrar/MSU-University-Policy-Credit-No-Credit-Policy.pdf.Undergraduate students can repeat a course no matter the previous grade. Undergraduate students who enrolled in a course for CR, or P cannot repeat the course on a credit basis. Students may repeat a course for a maximum of two times for three total enrollments and can repeat a maximum of 20 credits.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.
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-responsibilitiesThe 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.]
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.
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.]
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.
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.
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.]
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.
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.
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.]
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.]
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 of17.02 Unauthorized transfer of17.03 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 https://research.msu.edu/honorary-degrees.
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.
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 copy14.02 Possession of false copy14.03 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.
GraduationDegrees are granted with a fall, spring, or summer conferral date when all requirements are met. All work towards a degree should be completed by the day prior to the next semester beginning for the degree to be conferred for that semester.Students can apply for graduation at student.msu.edu and should do so before the end of the fifth week of the semester in which they wish to graduate.Transcripts and diplomas are held until all financial holds have been paid in full. However, the Student Accounts Office may release a transcript directly to a prospective employer on an exception basis.CommencementMichigan State University supports fall and spring commencement exercises for the awarding of bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees.Students expecting to graduate must complete a degree application before the end of fifth week of the fall or spring semester to assure a certification check and listing of their name in the commencement program. Students with a directory restriction on their account will not have their name printed in the commencement program, regardless of the graduation application date.Visit www.commencement.msu.edu for additional information.
The Michigan State University campus in East Lansing occupies 5,218 contiguous acres and has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful in the nation. The developed campus comprises 2,100 acres, and the remaining 3,118 acres are devoted to experimental farms, outlying research facilities, and a 36-hole golf course. Combined, the developed campus and farms area also contain 25 natural areas which encompass more than 700 acres. The gently rolling campus is graced by a park-like landscape, traversed by the scenic tree-lined Red Cedar River. Campus beauty is enhanced by a mature collection of trees, shrubs, and woody vines that serve teaching, research and outreach functions with over 36,000 plants accounted for in an interactive digital database. Planting of trees on the campus began shortly after its founding in 1855. A more formal collection of trees was initiated on campus in 1874 in what is known as the Campus Arboretum Collection. The rich campus open space complements and unifies the 577 permanent university buildings that provide over 25.3 million gross square feet of space to serve the institution’s land-grant mission.
The spacious campus arboretum is punctuated at intervals by focal points of plant interest. Notable among these are the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, the Horticultural Demonstration Gardens, the 4-H Children’s Garden, the C.E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum, the West Circle Drive loop, and the Sanford, Red Cedar, Baker, Beal Pinetum, Bear Lake, and Toumey Natural Areas. The W.J. Beal Botanical Garden was established in 1873 to support teaching, research and community outreach across campus. Besides being one of the very first continuously operated campus botanical gardens in North America, it is the site where hybrid maize was first developed by Professor Beal, and is still the place where the longest running science experiment in history is ongoing today. The 2,500 plant taxa in the labeled beds are organized into systematic, and economic collections. The adjoining slopes have many more species that comprise regional ecological and landscape groupings. Besides providing accessioned plant materials annually for millions of dollars of grant supported research, the Beal Botanical Garden also participates in a robust International Seed Exchange and shares and develops plant biology information with hundreds of botanical gardens worldwide. The Horticultural Demonstration Gardens, which showcase beautiful displays of over 1,200 varieties of flowering plants, are used for instruction and demonstration and for testing the performance of plants in the climate of central Michigan. They include both All-American Trial and Euro-Select Trial Gardens for annual plants and an All-American Display Garden for roses. Natural areas on the campus are protected vestiges of our natural heritage and include Toumey Woodlot, an old-growth beech-maple forest designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a Natural Landmark. Management of the natural areas is held to a minimum necessary to assure that their manifold teaching, research, recreational, and inspirational values will continue to serve generations of future students, staff, and faculty.
Michigan State University has wide-ranging facilities supporting intercollegiate athletics. The Jenison Field House has complete synthetic surfacing for track and a seating capacity of 5,017 for gymnastics and wrestling events. The Breslin Student Events Center and Berkowitz Basketball Complex, a multipurpose building, have two auxiliary gymnasiums for practice. Breslin has a seating capacity of 14,797 for basketball, volleyball, and other student events. The Munn Ice Arena is available for ice hockey, skating, and athletic events with a seating capacity of 6,470. The full-service MSU Tennis Center has eight indoor tennis courts, offers a wide variety of tennis programs for MSU and the greater Lansing community, and has a seating capacity of 1,200. Twenty varsity and recreational tennis courts are located south of the Duffy Daugherty/Skandalaris Football Center. Spartan Stadium has a playing area covered with grass and is used for football games and for large outdoor occasions. It has a seating capacity of 75,005. The Skandalaris Football Center has a full-size indoor football field and a 16,500- square- foot weight room. The two 18-hole Forest Akers Golf Courses were financed in part through a gift from Forest Akers, a long-time member of the University governing board. Included with the courses are all-weather, year-round driving ranges, practice greens, and the Lasch Family Golf Center. Old College Field is the location of the Secchia Stadium for softball, DeMartin Soccer Complex, and McLane Baseball Stadium at Kobs Field. The field hockey and track and field facility, known as the Ralph Young Field, has an all-weather track and artificial turf infield available to students and faculty. Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center is a 31,000-square- foot facility that houses a computer lab with 74 stations, a 210-seat auditorium, two 70-seat study areas, 10 individual tutorial rooms and 10 staff offices. Rowing facilities are located adjacent to the Grand River in Lansing. Administrative offices for intercollegiate athletics are located on the 4th Floor of 1855 Place.
Both Fairchild Theatre (464 seats) and the main Auditorium (3,152 seats) feature a variety of performing arts events as well as formal lectures and commencement ceremonies. The classrooms, studios and offices of the Department of Theatre are in this building. The main Auditorium and Fairchild Theatre are managed by Wharton Center for Performing Arts, and used by the College of Music and Department of Theatre for performances and instructional activities.
This familiar landmark stands on the site of the first building in America where agriculture was taught as a science on a university campus. The tower contains a 49-bell carillon.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum is an engaged public institution that reflects the longstanding interdisciplinary focus of Michigan State University. The MSU Broad Art Museum connects people with art in ways that inspire curiosity and inquiry through a rotation of exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists, a permanent collection of over 10,000 works, and dynamic programming. With a focus on the art of our time—in dialogue with the historical—the museum encourages engagement with issues of local relevance and global significance.Because the MSU Broad Art Museum values access to meaningful art experiences, admission and membership are always free.For more information, visit www.broadmuseum.msu.edu, e-mail eebam@msu.edu, or call 1-517-884-4800.
Built in 1963 and substantially expanded in 2002, the Delia Koo International Academic Center continues to be the hub of international activity at Michigan State University. Housed within the International Center is the Office of International Studies and Programs (ISP), a university-level office led by an vice provost and dean. ISP supports and encourages international activities throughout the institution, and within ISP are offices with responsibility for education abroad, international students and scholars, international research and Peace Corps recruiting, international health and safety, as well as area studies centers focusing on Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Russia, Eurasia and Latin America and the Caribbean. ISP has strong ties to thematic international units across the campus that focus on international agriculture, business, education, engineering, gender, youth, health, and languages. Global Youth Advancement Network (GYAN), Global Center for Food Systems Innovation, Visiting International Professionals Program, Global Innovations in Development, Engagement, and Scholarship (Global IDEAS), and visiting international scholars affiliated with the international and thematic centers also have offices here. The International Center also houses the Volunteer English Tutoring Program, a language-tutoring program for the international community, and is available for use by MSU’s many other international centers and institutes. ISP hosts a myriad of international conferences, seminars, colloquia, and workshops. Other residents include the Cross-roads Food Court, MSU ID Office and the Spartan Bookstore. In addition to offices and meeting space, the International Center also offers room 115 just off the lobby. Primarily used as a classroom, room 115 is available for large meetings and is often the site of academic governance sessions during fall and spring semesters. To request use of room 115, contact classroom scheduling in the Office of the Registrar. Registered student organizations may request use of the lobby area through the Department of Student Life for various cultural, social and recreational activities. Similarly, the International Center also hosts events sponsored by the University Activities Board.
A gift of the S. S. Kresge Foundation, this building houses the Department of Art, Art History, and Design. Among its resources are lecture classrooms for art history and disciplinary studios for ceramics, drawing, electronic art and intermedia, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Other resources housed within the Kresge Art Center include: a woodshop, a professional lighting studio for documentation of artwork, two digital labs, a print lab, a state-of-the-art electronic fabrication, prototyping and sculpture facility, a visual resource library, and an art store/café. The Department of Art, Art History, and Design Gallery 101 and 114 provide additional exhibition space and feature rotating exhibits throughout the year. All gallery exhibits are open to the public. For additional information call 1-517-355-7610, e-mail art@msu.edu or visit www.art.msu.edu.
The MSU Museum is an innovative and experimental collaboratory that exists to catalyze creativity. Here, people can freely explore, express, and experiment with ideas across various disciplines and interests, indulging their natural curiosity about the world. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and holds the distinction of being the state's first Smithsonian Affiliate. Since 1857, the Museum has been collecting objects and specimens, and creating exhibitions that reflect our shared histories and experiences. These collections and exhibitions serve as catalysts for teaching, learning, and research, establishing a dynamic collaboratory for student and faculty success. For more information, visit our Web site at www.museum.msu.edu. For general inquiries, please call 1-517-355-2370 or email us at museum@msu.edu.
The MSU Union is a busy student and alumni hub offering shopping, dining, flexible event space and convenient amenities designed to serve the Michigan State University community. Located at the corner of Abbot Road and Grand River Avenue, it's easily accessible by all methods of transportation. The MSU Union is located at the entrance to north campus, within a park-like atmosphere. In keeping with location’s storied past, the MSU Union acts as a central meeting place for students, faculty, staff, alums and university guests to experience cultural, educational and social activities. Services available at the MSU Union include:
The MSU Union also provides campus-wide student activities through the University Activities Board (UAB) with events held at a variety of campus locations. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) can use the MSU Union for meetings and events. Other interested parties can book space within the union for meetings, conferences and special events, with Kellogg Catering our preferred caterer. Contact the Sales department at 517-432-2446 or email Amy Williams at will1760@msu.edu. You can also visit us at msuunion.com.
The Michigan State University Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education opened in 1997 and combines auditorium, classroom, arena, and exhibit spaces. Exhibit space covers 66,240 square feet and can accommodate 368 animal stalls that can be removed to create open space for a variety of events. The arena seats 2,000 people and has a show floor of 28,670 square feet. The auditorium seats 400 and is used for meetings, auctions, and livestock industry events. An event office, showers, livestock wash racks, public address system, Michigan State University concession stand, and recreational vehicle hook-ups are available for Pavilion events.
The Student Services Building is home to the Division of Student Life and Engagement and several of its units, including the Office of the Assistant Vice Presidents for Students Involvement and Leadership; and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, the Career Services Network; Student Life; Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions; The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center; the Student Veterans Resource Center; Women*s Student Services, Student and Community Relations; Fraternity and Sorority Life; and the Center for Community Engaged Learning. Other offices in the building include the Office of Financial Aid, Center for Survivors, Health Promotions, Recovery Room, ASMSU, as well as the administrative offices for the Eli Broad Art Museum.
Wharton Center, located in the heart of MSU's campus at the corner of Bogue Street and Shaw Lane, was founded on the belief that art is a dimension of culture that should be shared with and made accessible to all. Through diverse programming and inclusive initiatives—like Sensory-Friendly Performances, ASL-interpretation, and Audio Description, among other programs—Wharton Center strives to inspire and connect with the creative spirit in everyone. Wharton Center serves the community by bringing the best in touring Broadway shows, innovative dance companies, top classical musicians, and jazz artists to Mid-Michigan, as well as hosting performances by the Department of Theatre, College of Music, and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Through performing arts and arts education, Wharton Center is committed to fostering confidence, creativity, cooperation, and empathy. Wharton Center Institute for Arts and Creativity collaborates with MSU departments and colleges, on a variety of innovative projects; music and dance masterclasses; and storytelling and improvisation workshops. In addition, the Institute offers summer musical theatre classes led by Broadway professionals, and numerous community and school programs that educate and inspire more than 30,000 learners each year. Wharton Center offers internships and student employment and is supported by an MSU student marketing team. Full-time MSU students receive ticket discounts, including $29 for most MSUFCU Broadway Series performances and $19 for most Performing Arts events. For more information on Wharton Center programs, visit www.whartoncenter.com.
Michigan State University is a community which provides diverse co-curricular opportunities. There are excellent professional programs provided through seminar series sponsored by departments and schools and supplemented by open lectures on a variety of current topics. Lectures, music, theatre, art, recreation, athletics and the programs of student organizations offer opportunities for pursuing individual interests.
The Department of Art, Art History, and Design organizes exhibitions featuring undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and work resulting from national and international juried exhibition calls in the Kresge Art Center Galleries 101 and 114, MSU Union Art Gallery, and off-campus at (SCENE) Metrospace. Each academic year, the department hosts 15 to 20 free public visiting artist and scholar lectures. Annually the department features undergraduate research in the Art History and Visual Culture Symposium, the Apparel and Textile Design Fashion Show, and the Undergraduate Juried Exhibition. Students completing their M.F.A. present their graduate student research each spring in the Master of Fine Arts Exhibition at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. All students are welcome to view exhibitions, attend lecture series events, and join in activities offered by the department. For additional information call 1-517-355-7610, email art@msu.edu or visit www.art.msu.edu.
The Department of Theatre sponsors a wide variety of productions including dance-related events. Productions occur at the Pasant Theatre in the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, the Fairchild Theatre, Arena Theatre, and Studio 60 Theatre in the Auditorium, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities Auditorium, and site-specific locations. Graduate and undergraduate talent is featured in these productions, and all students of the university are invited to participate.Student theatrical productions occur throughout the year in the Arena Theatre and Studio 60 Theatre. Dance performances are also sponsored by the Michigan State University student dance association, ORCHESIS. Summer Circle Theatre offers students the opportunity to be involved in theatre production during the months of May and June. For additional information, call 1-517-355-6690, e-mail: theatre@msu.edu, or visit www.theatre.msu.edu.
The College of Music offers many opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to hear and participate in a variety of musical ensembles. All qualified students are welcome to audition regardless of their fields of study.
Vocal groups include the MSU Chorale, State Singers, Campus Choir, Women's Glee Club, Choral Union, Women's Chamber Ensemble, and Men's Glee Club. The University Symphony Orchestra and the Concert Orchestra present numerous concerts throughout the year. The University Bands include the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Concert Band, Campus Band, the 300-member Spartan Marching Band, and three Spartan Brass Bands that perform at basketball and hockey games. The Jazz Studies area includes three jazz orchestras and numerous octets and ensembles. Additionally, there are several chamber music groups including Musique 21, Percussion Ensemble, Trombone Choir, and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble. For additional information call 1-517-353-5340 or visit www.music.msu.edu.
The Class Councils (senior, junior, sophomore, and freshman) consists of up to 25 students, each chosen to represent the views of and initiate activities for Michigan State University. During the year, the Class Councils are involved in sponsoring workshops, hosting events pertinent to their class and coordinating special projects. For more information, contact ASMSU at 1-517-355-8266, or https://asmsu.msu.edu/.
The University Activities Board (UAB) programs events for students, by students, to enhance the Spartan experience at Michigan State University. UAB strives to provide unique, high quality experiences that contribute to student growth. Involving the diverse student body, we aspire to have a substantial impact on campus life and for every student to graduate with a UAB memory. Our core values are: Inclusion, Collaboration, Student Voice, Flexibility, Accessibility, and Development. Our events include live music, comedians, craft nights, open mic nights and so much more. UAB membership is free and open to all MSU undergraduate students. Visit www.uabevents.com or@UABatMSU on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter, phone 1-517-355-3354 or e-mail: uab@msu.edu.
Recreational Sports and Fitness Services are dedicated to promoting learning experiences by engaging the University community in healthy lifestyles through sport, fitness and recreational opportunities. Programs are facilitated through the following fully accessible facilities.IM SPORTS WEST, our largest facility, provides courts for paddleball, racquetball, handball, and squash; gyms for basketball, volleyball, and badminton; a turf arena for soccer, tennis and club sports, an indoor swimming pool; a cycling studio and a contemporary fitness center.IM SPORTS EAST provides courts for basketball, volleyball, paddleball, racquetball, wally ball, and squash; a four-lane running track; a fitness center; a cycling studio and a multipurpose room for group fitness classes.IM SPORTS CIRCLE, an accessible facility, contains gymnasiums for basketball and badminton; a swimming pool; and a multipurpose activity room. DEMONSTRATION HALL arena is used for intramural leagues, club sports and adaptive recreation. Please search our website for adaptive sports offered. MSU SAILING CENTER provides learn-to-sail classes for adults and children. You may also rent stand up paddleboards, canoes and kayaks. For more information visit www.msusailing.com.Outdoor Space: 27 acres of outdoor recreational field space where many of our intramural sports are played. Be sure to check out the new turf complex on Service road. Two fully lighted turf fields open fall 2022. Lighted tennis courts, sand volleyball and basketball courts.You may also join our structured competitive intramural sports or try out for one of the twenty Club Sport teams. Learn to Swim or Sail in our non-credit classes. Activate your membership for our facilities online. We have fitness centers at IM Sports West and IM Sports East. You can also join in-person and online Group Exercise classes. Drop in to play a variety of sports shoot some hoops or swim laps.For more information, visit www.recsports.msu.edu, Facebook MSU-Recreational-Sports-And-Fitness-Services, Instagram @ MSU_RecSports, or visit YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaUzk5vXMfU.
Michigan State University considers one of its responsibilities to maintain an atmosphere of religious freedom for individuals. There are many student religious centers in East Lansing, devoting their facilities to meeting student needs. These have staffs of ministers, priests, rabbis, spiritual leaders and directors of student activities. The groups provide Michigan State University students with the chance to participate in religious worship, programs, and the opportunity to meet other students through social activities. See Student Organizations for the current list of student religious groups. A list of the members of the Religious Advisors Association can be found at https://msu.edu/~msuraa/memberorganizations.html. The Alumni Memorial Chapel, on campus, is available for public services of a religious nature. It is also made available to students wishing to enter the sanctuary for private devotions. For scheduling, contact the MSU Union, 1-517-884-8127.For more information, visit www.msuunion.com.
The MSU Reflection Room, located in 1277 Anthony Hall, provides a quiet space for individual reflection, meditation, and prayer. The ecumenical environment welcomes all and embraces understanding and the furthering of knowledge associated with differing perspectives. We believe the MSU value of inclusion is evident in the unity of spiritual reflection and connection that can occur in this space. The harmony of the MSU community allows us to personify co-existence in the Reflection Room, which is open during regular building hours as posted.
Many campus activities are the responsibility of the various student governing groups. These groups include:
The Council of Graduate Students represents all registered Michigan State University graduate and graduate-professional students. COGS is composed of one representative from each degree-granting college and seven officers. COGS exists to promote the academic, social, and economic goals of graduate and graduate-professional students; to establish effective communication among these students, and to create channels of communication with other student organizations and with the academic and administrative units of the University. COGS maintains an office at 120 Chittenden Hall where it provides a copy service and a thesis and dissertation printing service. A loan program, sponsored by COGS, is administered by the Office of Financial Aid. ASMSU/COGS Legal Services provides graduate students a prepaid legal services plan.
Since 1872, Michigan State University students have had the choice of participating in a nationally affiliated Greek letter organization. Today, the Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) community is comprised of more than 60 internationally affiliated social Greek letter organizations with a combined membership of over 4,500 students. Greek letter organizations merge almost every segment of the campus community into their chapters-leadership development, community service, athletics, social life, housing, management, and business functions, alumni relations, accountability, and responsibility. Through quality educational experiences, fraternities, and sororities support the guiding principles of the institution, as well as provide an avenue whereby all students experience active learning through self-governance.The 62 fraternities and sororities are governed by governing councils responsible for representing constituents to the greater campus and East Lansing communities, providing programs and services to chapters and their members, and creating and enforcing standards and policies throughout the Greek community. Through mutual interdependence, the governing councils assist all 62 member organizations in providing a quality Greek experience for their members. The governing councils include:
Other community-wide organizations that are collaboratively coordinated by the governing councils are Greek Week and the Order of Omega National Greek Leadership Honorary.For more information on the Greek community, contact Fraternity and Sorority Life, 316 Student Services Building, 1-517-355-8286 or www.greeklife.msu.edu.
The Student Housing Cooperative (SHC) is the governing group for cooperative living units. Cooperatives are student owned and managed organizations that contribute to the living experiences, social benefits, and economic savings of the members. The SHC meets regularly to discuss problems and coordinate activities of cooperative living and is represented on the ASMSU General Assembly. The primary goal of the SHC is to provide affordable housing for the East Lansing area. Additional purposes and goals are: democratic control, open and voluntary membership, continuous education, improvement of services, and cooperation and communication among cooperatives.
Information about cooperatives is available at the MSU Student Housing Cooperative office, 541 E. Grand River, East Lansing, MI 48823, telephone 1-517-355-8313.
The University Apartments Council of Residents (UACOR) is recognized by the university as a governing group with authority to govern the affairs of the residents of MSU Spartan Village Apartments, University Village, and 1855 Place.
UACOR provides activities and services for residents. The group also represent students' views to University Residence Education and Housing Services, and other institutional partners.
The Executive Board, along with Village Representatives, are elected by the general membership. Voting privileges are extended to the aforementioned. Residents are encouraged to participate in monthly Town Meetings and bring their ideas, interests, and concerns to the attention of UACOR. A tax is assessed every semester. For further information contact UACOR at the University Apartments Residence Education office at 1-517-353-9499. The UACOR office is located in Room 138B, Spartan Village Community Center.
Residence Halls Association (RHA) represents the highest level of undergraduate residence hall government and is the governing body for all undergraduate residence halls. Membership is composed of an elected representative from each hall on campus and from: Black Student Alliance, Cultural de las Razas Unidas, North American Indian Student Organization, Asian Pacific American Student Organization, Alliance of Queer and Ally Students, Women’s Council, Arab Cultural Society, and Council of Students with Disabilities and area-based caucus groups. RHA is recognized as a legitimate part of the university decision-making process and its purposes include developing communication between individual halls and the university community; sponsoring and coordinating all-university activities for students living in residence halls; formulating policy and regulations pertaining to residence halls students; and representing areas of interest and concern to such students. In addition, RHA sponsors workshops, the Campus Center Cinemas, Movie Rental offices, Spartan Leadership Conference, RHA-TV (channels 11 and 12), RHA Karaoke, concerts, and special events. All residents of Michigan State University undergraduate residence halls are members of RHA and may exercise their voting rights and opinions through the representatives of their respective halls. A tax is collected during registration for fall and spring semesters from each undergraduate and graduate student living in a residence hall to support the activities listed above. The fall and spring only tax also supports the functions of each hall government. Contact RHA at: rha@msu.edu.
Owen Graduate Association OGA) represents the interests of Owen Graduate Hall residents and functions as the major governing body for that hall. OGA provides a program of information and services for Owen Graduate Hall residents and participates in the formulation of policies and regulations pertaining to residents of that hall. All residents of Owen Graduate Hall are members of OGA and pay a tax to support the activities of the OGA.
Michigan State University's yearbook, The Red Cedar Log, is published by students under the auspices of the Associated Students of Michigan State University. The yearbook is free to MSU students and is supported through the ASMSU student tax. Other student publications include those maintained independently, or within colleges, departments, schools, living units, and student organizations. The State News, a daily newspaper distributed widely to students, faculty, and staff, is published by The State News, Inc. The corporation is separate and independent from the university; however, its staff is composed largely of Michigan State University students.
The mission statement of Impact 89FM, WDMB-FM, MSU’s student radio station, is Diversity in Programming, Professionalism in Presentation and Education.Impact 89FM, is an FCC licensed non-commercial educational station that operates 24/7/365 and covers the mid-Michigan area around Lansing. It may also be heard via streaming audio and video at impact89fm.org. WFIX, the training station, streams online at thefix.org. A fee collected from all students each semester supports the stations. Any student, regardless of major, may apply to work at the station, either as a volunteer or in a paid position. Positions range from disk jockey to producers, engineers and marketing. The offices and studios are located in G-4 Holden Hall and are accessible for persons with disabilities. For more information, call, 1-517-884-8900.
Michigan State University's enrollment totals close to 50,000 students including the off-campus programs. Around 39,000 are undergraduates with the remainder in graduate and graduate-professional programs. Over 70 percent of the new undergraduates enter as first-year students from Michigan high schools or as transfer students from Michigan community-junior colleges or other colleges and universities in the state. These students come from throughout the state and represent the smallest as well as the largest communities. The remaining students enter from high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and the world. During the Fall 2022 semester, over 4,300 international students from 138 countries were enrolled. Approximately 53 percent of the undergraduate and graduate students on the East Lansing campus were women.
On March 16, 1967, the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University approved a document entitled Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University. The report established guidelines to identify rights and duties of students in regard to conduct, academic pursuits, the keeping of r