Graduate Catalog
The graduate student catalog is a two-year publication including all course descriptions and degree requirements for programs within the College of Graduate Studies. Go to the current Graduate Catalog to review this information.
Undergraduate Catalog
This undergraduate student catalog contains information on degrees offered, majors, course descriptions, and admission requirements. Go to the current Undergraduate Catalog to review this information. Older catalogs may also be accessed online.
Quick Reference: Frequently Used Academic Terminology at YSU
Full-Time Undergraduate Student - A full-time undergraduate student is one carrying 12 or more hours for credit per term.
Part-Time Undergraduate Student - A part-time undergraduate student is one carrying less than 12 hours for credit per term.
Transient Student - A student seeking a degree at another institution may ordinarily take one semester of course work at YSU as a transient student. The student must apply for admission to the University and provide a statement from the registrar of the student's current institution that they are in good standing. Students who wish to remain as a transient student for a second consecutive semester should contact Admissions (330)-941-2000.
Hours Attempted - Total hours for which a student has registered for, and earned a grade of A, B, C, CR, D, F, I, NC, PR, or W.
Hours Earned - Total hours for which a student has earned a letter grade of A, B, C, D, CR, or S.
- NC= No Credit PR= Progress W= Withdrawn S= Satisfactory
Quality Points - For determining grade point average, every grade has a quality point value for each semester hour it represents, as follows: A, four quality points; B, three points; C, two points; D, one point; F, zero points. For example, an A in a three-hour course is worth 12 quality points; a D in a four-hour course, four points; and an F in any course, zero points. To find the point average, the total number of quality points earned is divided by the total GPA hours.
Repeated Course - A course in which a grade of a D or F was earned can be repeated in order to improve a student’s cumulative grade point average. A form is required for this process and is obtained through the student’s academic advisor.
Academic Forgiveness - An undergraduate student currently enrolled may petition the Dean of their college to exclude from the calculation of the grade point average, grades earned five (5) or more calendar years before. If the petition is approved, all grades (not only D’s and F’s) earned during the specific quarter or semester and all previous grades (not only D’s and F’s) will then be removed from the calculation. However, all grades remain on the permanent record.
Student Classification - All students working for any undergraduate degree conferred by this University are ranked in classes, by semester hours completed, as follows:
- Freshman 0-29 semester hours of credit
- Sophomore 30-59 semester hours of credit
- Junior 60-89 semester hours of credit
- Senior 90 or more semester hours of credit
Dean’s List - The Dean's List (for each term except summer) includes those full-time undergraduate students who have earned at least a 3.4 average for not less than 12 semester hours' credit in the semester just ended. Included in the listing for the spring term are those part-time students who have earned at least a 3.4 average for the fall and spring terms, and who have accumulated a minimum of 12 hours of credit.
Honors - To be eligible for undergraduate class honors a freshman must have completed at YSU at least 12 semester hours; a sophomore 24 semester hours; a junior 36 semester hours; and a senior 48 semester hours. Honors are based on the accumulative point average at YSU only; no transfer work is included. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible, provided they 1) have a minimum cumulative point average of 3.00; 2) have earned at least 12 credits in traditionally graded courses taken during the three semesters (including summer) preceding the term in which honors are awarded; and 3) are enrolled during the current term.
Cum Laude - Those who attain a quality point average of less than 3.6 but not less than 3.4 are granted their degrees cum laude.
Magna Cum Laude - Those who attain a quality point average of less than 3.8 but not less than 3.6 are granted their degrees magna cum laude.
Summa Cum Laude - Those who attain a quality point average of 3.8 or higher are granted their degrees summa cum laude.
Traditional Grade (A,B,C) /No Credit - To receive credit for courses offered on a traditional grade/no credit basis, a student must earn a grade of C or better. If the student fails to do so, an NC is entered on their transcript. An NC does not fulfill the requirements for satisfactory completion of the course; it does not affect the grade point average.
Audit (AU) - The AU grade indicates a student has registered for a course on an audit basis and has met the audit attendance requirement established by the instructor. Failure to meet the attendance requirement results in a grade of AU (W).
Credit/No-Credit (CR/NC) - Credit/no-credit grades are given in some specific courses as approved by the Academic Senate. Such courses are identified in the course descriptions.
Grade Changes - A request for a grade change must be made to the course instructor. Applications for grade changes must be signed by the instructor, department chair, and dean. All grade changes must be submitted by the dean or the instructor to the Office of Records; they will not be accepted from the student. After a degree has been conferred, in no case may a grade change be made for a course or courses taken while pursuing that degree.
Good Standing - YSU requires all students to have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 to be in good standing.
Warning and Probation - “Warning” and “Probation” indicate that grade standards consistent with graduation requirements are not being met. An advisor’s approval of course load is required prior to continuing studies at the University.
Academically Suspended - “Suspension” means that a student is separated from the University for a period of time.
“I” Grade - An incomplete grade of I may be given to a student who has been doing satisfactory work in a course but, for reasons beyond the control of the student and deemed justifiable by the instructor, had not completed all requirements for a course when grades were submitted. A letter grade may not be changed to an I (Incomplete) after the term has ended and grades have been recorded. A written explanation of the reason for the I must be forwarded by the instructor to the Office of Records. For fall term courses, the final date to complete an I will be March 1 of the following term; for the spring term courses, September 1; for all summer term courses, October 1. With approval by the instructor and the dean of the college in which the course is taught, the completion date may be extended. Courses not completed by the appropriate date will be converted to an F.