General Program Requirements

Student Responsibility

Students are responsible for knowing all degree requirements and enrolling in courses appropriate for their chosen degree programs. Students are also responsible for knowing all university regulations regarding student affairs and coursework standards required for study undertaken at the university.

While this catalog was prepared on the basis of the best information available at the time, all information including statements of fees, course offerings, admissions and graduation requirements is subject to change without notice or obligation. The most recent information regarding degree requirements and academic standards may be obtained from the appropriate dean’s office. Student affairs information may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students, or by contacting the individual student services offices. 

Classification of Students

Effective fall 2018

Post-baccalaureate students have previously earned bachelor’s degrees and are enrolled in undergraduate coursework at UHCL. These students are considered as undergraduate students for all academic purposes and are not eligible to enroll in graduate courses except under the provisions outlined for undergraduate enrollment at the graduate level.

Classification is determined by the Office of the Registrar. Only hours earned at UHCL and hours accepted in transfer from other institutions will count toward the student’s classification.

Degrees Offered

University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) is authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to confer six degrees in 43 undergraduate majors.

Degrees Offered by Colleges  

Enrollment Policies

In conjunction with academic performance standards, the policies listed below are utilized by the university in monitoring the academic progress of students.

Course Load

Students should be aware that academic work will be at advanced levels and should consider individual abilities when determining an appropriate course load. Course load limits may be set as terms of probation or readmission to the university after suspension. The university limits course loads to a maximum of 19 hours during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer semester, the limit is 12 hours.

In evaluating their ability to carry a certain course load, students should consider:

• Time available for class preparation.
• Whether an excessive load might endanger academic standing.
• Physical and mental stamina.
• Financial factors of commuting costs, tuition, fees and personal budget.

Under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations, international students are required to maintain full-time enrollment during each fall and spring semester. In addition, no more than three credit hours per semester taken online may count toward full-time enrollment for F and J student visa holders.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status Course Load

A student’s enrollment status is determined by the number of credit hours for which the student is enrolled at UHCL each semester. Enrollment statuses are listed below:

For the summer term, all hours are added together between sessions to arrive at the total number of hours for the summer.

When enrolled in a cooperative education course, students will be considered full-time for purposes of enrollment verification. The above hours requirement may differ for financial aid purposes. Please review the section of the catalog on Financial Aid or contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Resident Credit

Resident credit is defined in two ways:

• Credit awarded for successful completion of academic work undertaken at UHCL.

or

• Credit awarded for successful completion of academic work undertaken at another college or university provided that
  • Students are candidates for degrees at UHCL; and,
  • Students have written approval from their faculty adviser and their appropriate associate dean before undertaking academic work elsewhere.

Students should be aware that credits earned elsewhere without prior approval from UHCL are not considered credits “earned in residence” for the purpose of fulfilling general degree requirements.

Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate courses are defined as those courses with course numbers in the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 range. 1000 and 2000 range courses are considered lower-level courses. 3000 and 4000 range courses are considered upper-level courses.

Developmental Courses

Students will receive a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade.  The courses will not be calculated into the cumulative GPA, but developmental class grades are recognized for financial aid purposes. 

Developmental courses offered: MATH 1001 

Educational Abroad Grade and Transcript Catalog Statement

Upon approval and receipt of the Education Abroad Course Approval form, all courses and credits taken abroad will reflect on the student’s official University of Houston-Clear Lake transcript. Courses taken abroad will not be factored into GPA.  

For all programs in which students receive a transcript (foreign or domestic), courses will be transferred and reflected with the grade and credit earned. Students on affiliated, partner providers programs and exchange study abroad programs may not elect for any of their credit or grades from abroad to be posted as Credit/Not Credit. 

Students may only earn credit once for a class. Courses and actual grades will appear on the transcript.

30-Hour Residency Requirement:

Courses taken on an approved education abroad program may be considered in residence per the approval of the academic program and the college dean. A letter or email confirming and approving this exception must accompany the Education Abroad Course Approval form or official UHCL Education Abroad application. 

Class Attendance

Regular class attendance is expected of all students.  Financial Aid regulations mandate that instructors report attendance at the beginning of each session up to and including the census date.  Whenever instructors determine that students’ absences have been excessive, they have the right to request that the appropriate associate dean withdraw the students from the course.

Dropping or Withdrawing from Classes

Drop/Withdrawal Time Frame

Students may drop one or all classes without a grade penalty through the census date of the semester or session. Classes that are dropped through the census date will not be posted on a student’s official or unofficial transcript. Students may drop classes online through their E-Services account. Please see the academic calendar at www.uhcl.edu/registrar for the census dates of the semester or session.

Students who drop a class or withdraw from all classes after the census date of the semester or session, but no later than the withdrawal deadline as stated in the academic calendar will receive one of the following grades: WQ (student-initiated drop, no evaluation) or WX (administrative drop or withdrawal, no evaluation). These grades imply no evaluation of students’ performance prior to the withdrawal. Students may retain auditing privileges with the instructor’s consent.

Student-Initiated Withdrawals

Once students have registered and paid tuition/fees for the course section, they are considered enrolled in the course(s) until they have officially dropped/withdrawn or received a grade. Nonattendance does not automatically terminate students’ enrollment in the course(s) and does not exempt them from any academic or financial responsibilities. Students who stop attending class without officially dropping/withdrawing from the course(s) will receive a final grade based on coursework completed.

If a student wishes to drop any or all of their classes, they are responsible for doing so online through E-Services by the deadlines stated in the academic calendar. Withdrawal requests in writing can also be made by mail and are effective on the date of receipt. Please contact the Office of the Registrar for additional assistance at registrar@uhcl.edu. The student assumes responsibility for written requests for drops/withdrawals that are delayed or not delivered. Drops/withdrawal requests received after the deadlines stated in the academic calendar will not be processed. Student-initiated drops and withdrawals are irrevocable. Retroactive drops or withdrawals are not permitted. Students lose all university privileges on the date the withdrawal from the university is effective.

Course(s) dropped through the published census day will not appear on the transcript. Course(s) dropped after the census day and through the published withdrawal deadline will appear on the student’s transcript with a grade of WQ. Census day and withdrawal deadlines are published online in the academic calendar.

All outstanding bills and university obligations must be paid/fulfilled. These payments include any payment plans or loan agreements issued by Student Business Services. Contact Student Business Services for additional information. Students receiving financial aid are advised to contact the Office of Financial Aid prior to making changes in their enrollment status. Reducing semester hours to zero is considered a withdrawal and the refund schedule will be followed. Please refer to the refund schedule on the Student Business Services’ website for information about deadlines.

Administrative Withdrawals

The university reserves the right to withdraw students from a class or all classes if, in the judgment of the appropriate university officials, such withdrawals are in the best interests of the students and the university. Students may be withdrawn for reasons of health, irresponsible financial conduct, unacceptable personal conduct, honesty code violations or other academic infractions, or disregard of official summonses to respond to official requests.

Students who are requesting a current semester medical withdrawal must submit a Student Appeal form to the Office of the Registrar, if they cannot withdraw themselves by the withdrawal deadline, within 9 weeks (45 business days) of the last class day of the semester for which the student is appealing, including mini sessions. Please refer to the academic calendar for more information regarding deadlines. A medical withdrawal formally drops all courses in a term.

Written appeal for a medical withdrawal should address each of the following:

1. Describe the medical condition/circumstances that required you to withdraw from the university.
2. Explain in detail how/why the medical condition/circumstances prevented you from completing the academic term.
3. Detail the dates of the onset of your medical condition/circumstances, along with the dates of any treatment you received, if appropriate.
4. If you stopped attending classes, explain why and when (please note: nonattendance does not exempt you from academic and financial responsibilities).
5. If you did not utilize the regular withdrawal process, explain why not.
6. Explain what relief you are seeking from this request. Be as specific as possible.
   Note: Medical withdrawals do not refund tuition and fees.

Supporting Documentation

You must include a letter from your health care provider(s) or other pertinent sources. The documentation should be on clinic letterhead and should address the following:

• Describe the diagnosed medical or psychological condition or circumstances, and indicate when treatment commenced.
• Explain how the severity of the condition completely prevents the student from attending classes and completing the semester.
• Address potential health/clinical consequences if a medical withdrawal is not granted.

Review Process

1. Submit all materials to the Office of the Registrar. Any missing or incomplete information may delay consideration of your request.
2. After the materials are received, your request will be evaluated by the Office of the Registrar and you will be notified when it has been approved or denied. You may be asked to provide additional information to assist the university in its evaluation of your request. The decision of the Office of the Registrar is final.
3. Please note that a medical withdrawal is granted in rare instances where a student is faced with a serious and unexpected condition that completely precludes them from being able to function as a student. If a request is approved, the student may be required to submit documentation from a health care provider to indicate their ability to function successfully prior to subsequent enrollment. Additional requests for a medical withdrawal are normally not granted for the same circumstances.
4. Withdrawal appeals should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar within 9 weeks (45 business days) of the last class day of the semester for which the student is appealing, including mini sessions.  Appeals submitted after this time period, will not be considered.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• International students, students with a disability, and students who are receiving financial aid, veteran and/or other benefits and who are considering withdrawing from the university must meet with the appropriate official (e.g., international student adviser, staff from Disability Services, financial aid counselor or Veteran Services) before withdrawing since there may be legal, certification and/or repayment penalties associated with withdrawing.
• Medical withdrawal typically results in withdrawal from all classes. Students who are considering the medical withdrawal process and wish to drop some, but not all of their classes for a term should instead contact their academic associate dean’s office for information about administrative drops.
• Student Loans: Students who have borrowed from the Perkins or Direct Loan programs are federally required to schedule an Exit Counseling session. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.
• All outstanding bills and university obligations must be paid/fulfilled. These obligations include any payment plans or loan agreements issued by Student Business Services. Contact Student Business Services for additional information.
• Medical withdrawals do not provide for a refund of tuition and fees.

6-Drop Rule

In 2007, Texas passed a law (S.B. 1231), which prohibits students who are enrolling for the first time as a freshman during the fall 2007 academic term or any term thereafter from dropping more than a total of six courses in their entire undergraduate career. This total also includes any course a transfer student has dropped at another two-year or four-year Texas public college or university. This rule does not apply to courses dropped prior to the census date (see academic calendar at www.uhcl.edu/registrar), or to courses for which the students receives an administrative withdrawal noted with a grade of WX; and, does not apply if the student withdraws from the term or session.

Certain exceptions may be made to the limit if the student can show good cause for dropping more than six courses, including but not limited to a showing of:

• A severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
• The student’s responsibility for the care of a sick, injured or needy person if the provision of that care affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
• The death of a person who is considered to be a member of the student’s family, or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student, in as much as the person’s death is considered to be a showing of good cause.
• The active-duty service as a member of the Texas National Guard or the armed forces of the United States of either the student or a person who is considered to be a member of the student’s family, or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person’s active military service is considered to be a showing of good cause.
• The change of the student’s work schedule that is beyond the control of the student and that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.

Students requesting an exemption must complete the 6-Drop Exemption form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar along with supporting documents and evidence of extenuating circumstances. The grade of WX will be assigned to courses for which students receive an exemption and will not count against the 6-Drop Rule.

Drops that Count toward the 6-Drop Limit

The 6-Drop limit applies only to students enrolling for the first time as a freshman during the fall 2007 academic term or any term thereafter at a public college or university in Texas, including UHCL. Drops that count towards the limit are those for which a student receives a grade of WQ on their UHCL transcript, as well as any equivalent drops reported on that student’s transcript(s) from other Texas public colleges and universities. If a student started college fall 2007 or thereafter, and then transferred to UHCL from an affected Texas public college or university with six drops that are equivalent of WQ, the student may not drop any additional course at UHCL after the census date for the term. If the student transfers with fewer than six drops, the student may drop the remainder of the allowed courses at UHCL.

Awarding of Grades once the 6-Drop Limit has been Reached

Once UHCL determines that a student has accrued a total of six drops on courses attempted at any Texas public college or university (including UHCL), it will not allow that student to drop any additional course at the university. Once enrolled in a course, the students with six drops can only be awarded an A, B, C, D or F grade by their instructor.

6-Drop Appeals Process

Any student who wants to appeal the initial decision to deny an exemption to the 6-Drop limit may appeal to the Vice Provost for further review. Such appeals must be submitted in writing 10 business days of receiving the initial decision.

Students appealing the initial decision can only do so for one of the following reasons:

• To determine whether the process leading to original decision was fair.
• To determine whether the decision reached regarding the request was based on substantive evidence.

The decision of the Vice Provost will be final.

Excessive Hours

Texas Education Code 54.014 specifies that undergraduate students who enrolled for the first time in fall 1999 or later may be subject to a higher tuition rate if they attempt excess hours at any Texas public institution of higher education. This policy applies to students classified as Texas residents and non-Texas residents, who have received a tuition waiver and pay resident tuition. Students who were first-time freshmen between fall 1999 and summer 2006 are limited to 45 semester credit hours in excess of the credit hours required to complete their degree plan. Students who were first-time freshmen beginning fall 2006 or subsequent terms are limited to 30 semester credit hours in excess of the credit hours required to complete their degree plan. If a student has been enrolled as an undergraduate student in any public or private institution of higher education during any term prior to the 1999 fall semester, the student’s credit hours are exempt. Semester credit hours generated by non-resident students paying tuition at the rate provided for Texas residents are subject to the same limitations as hours generated by resident students. Students who are in violation of the limitations set by this law will be subject to the Tuition Recovery Fee of $130 per credit hour to cover the student’s educational costs. For more information contact the Office of the Registrar.

According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules, the following types of credit hours count toward the limit:

• Hours dropped after the 12th class day, reflected in transcripts with a WQ/WX.
• Hours earned with a failing grade.
• Hours earned for courses that do not apply toward the chosen degree plan.
• Hours successfully completed which do apply toward the chosen degree plan.

The following types of credit hours do not count toward the limit:

• Credit hours earned after completing a baccalaureate degree.
• Credit hours earned through examination (AP or CLEP).
• Credit hours earned through remedial and developmental courses.
• Credit hours taken at a private or an out-of-state institution.
• Credit hours earned before graduating from high school and used to satisfy high school graduation requirements.
• Credit hours excluded from the academic record under the Academic Fresh Start program.

Three-peat Rule for Undergraduates

In accordance with Texas Education Code Section 130.0034, as of fall 2002 undergraduate, Texas-resident students and students paying resident tuition attempting the same course for a third (or subsequent) time will be subject to the three-peat fee for undergraduate hours.

“Attempted” hours are defined as all hours for which the student is enrolled as of the official census date for the semester or session, regardless of whether the student withdraws from one or all classes after the census date. Please see the academic calendar for the census date for each semester and/or session.

The following courses may not be counted toward the three-peat rule for undergraduates:

• Independent Study Courses
• Special Topics Courses with Differing Content

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses

Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and non-degree-seeking students are generally not eligible to enroll in graduate courses. Exceptions to this rule exist for students in dual degree programs, non-degree-seeking students admitted to graduate certificate programs, and undergraduate degree-seeking seniors.  Degree-seeking seniors at UHCL may qualify and enroll in 5000 and 6000 level courses subject to the following conditions:

• Students must be enrolled in their last six hours of undergraduate work.
• Students must have a cumulative UHCL GPA of at least 3.000 or greater.
• Approval of enrollment arrangement must be given by the associate dean of the college in which the student will pursue graduate coursework.
• If the courses are used to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements, they may not be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements.

Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate will only calculate in the undergraduate hours earned and in the undergraduate GPA.

Dual Degrees: Bachelor’s to Master’s

The dual bachelor’s/master’s programs allow students to earn both degrees in five years. Students begin work on their master’s degree during the final year of their bachelor’s degree.

1. Bachelor’s (minimum 120 hours) to master’s (minimum 30 hours) degrees provides students the opportunity to earn degrees at an accelerated pace. In this program undergraduates with 90 or more credit hours may be allowed to enroll in graduate classes and count up to six graduate credit hours toward their bachelor’s degree. The same six graduate credit hours may also count toward a master’s degree.
2. Graduate courses utilized for a bachelor’s degree cannot be utilized for a graduate degree outside of the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree program.
3. No more than six graduate hours can be taken as an undergraduate.
4. In the dual-degree program, no more than six hours of graduate work may be counted toward the requirements of both degrees, and at least 24 of the required 30 graduate hours must be taken at the 5000 level or 6000 level.
5. Students must apply to the dual-degree program the semester before completing their bachelor’s degree requirements.
6. Students interested in this program must meet with a dual degree adviser in their college before enrolling in graduate courses.
7. Students admitted to dual-degree programs should have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 must take the GRE or GMAT (see individual college requirements for appropriate examination and acceptable scores).
8. A student who becomes ineligible to participate in or withdraws from the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program cannot double count any courses for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. However, courses successfully completed with a 3.0 or better may count toward the bachelor’s degree as appropriate substitutions.
9. Students in dual-degree programs receive the bachelor’s degree upon completion of the master’s degree.
10. Students in dual-degree programs not completing the master’s degree may apply for graduation with the bachelor’s degree.
11. Dual-degree program students must complete the undergraduate residency requirements.

Final Exams

Final exams for the regular fall and spring terms must be scheduled the week following the last day of classes at the day/time indicated on the final exam schedule. Faculty teaching online courses during the regular fall and spring terms can schedule final exams anytime starting on the last day of classes until the end of the week following the last day of classes (the end of the regular exam week). The fall/spring eight-week sessions have final exams the last two class days.  During the summer sessions, final exams are held on the last day of classes. Students and faculty should refer to the academic calendar and final exam schedule found online at www.uhcl.edu/registrar for additional information. Students with exam schedule conflicts must work with faculty to resolve conflicts.

Missed Examinations and Assignments

Students are expected to be present at all announced examinations, including final examinations. Unless satisfactory alternate arrangements are made with instructors, missed examinations will be considered as failed. Students who cannot attend classes due to the observance of a religious holy day (as defined by the Texas Education Code) will be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. Students needing to reschedule an examination or assignment for a holy day should submit a letter of request or appropriate form to each instructor within 15 days from the first day of class of the semester. An instructor should acknowledge receipt where indicated on the form and return a copy to the student. A new date for taking an examination or completing an assignment missed for a holy day shall be set by the instructor. Should an instructor fail to honor the request for rescheduling examinations or assignments for holy days by setting reasonable new due dates, students may appeal the decision to their associate dean. The instructor or associate dean may require a letter of verification of the observed holy day from the religious institution.

Grading Policies

Description of Letter Grades

• Performance in the range of “A” represents exceptional scholarship and intellectual initiative in accomplishing course goals and objectives.

• Performance in the range of “B” represents solid or significant achievement in accomplishing course goals and objectives.

• Performance in the range of “C” represents average or satisfactory achievement in accomplishing course goals and objectives.

• Performance in the range of “D” represents the minimally acceptable performance in accomplishing course goals and objectives.

• An “F” performance represents unsatisfactory or below minimally acceptable achievement in accomplishing course goals and objectives.

Grades of “+” or “-” are refinements of the letter grades, represent grade point variations and may be used at the discretion of the instructor.

• An “S” performance represents satisfactory achievement in accomplishing course goals and objectives.

• A “U” performance represents unsatisfactory or below minimally acceptable achievement in accomplishing objectives.

Grading System

WQ* Student Initiated Drop, No Evaluation

WX* Withdrawal or Administrative Drop, No Evaluation

NG* No Grade Submitted, Contact Instructor

I* Incomplete-No Credit, unless work is not completed on time, then an F is given

CR*+ Credit

NC*+ No Credit

IP*++ In Progress-No Credit

S* Satisfactory

U* Unsatisfactory

*These grades are not included in computing the grade point average

+CR/NC awarded only for CLEP, master’s option and TexES coursework

++IP awarded for some undergraduate internships

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average is a measure of a student’s academic achievement. Grade point averages are computed by multiplying the grade point earned by the number of credit hours in each course, and then dividing the sum of all grade points obtained by the total number of hours attempted.

The cumulative grade point average is based on the grade points earned since admission to UHCL, excluding those hours for which grades are shown with asterisk (*) above. GPAs will round at three decimals. Grades earned for transferred courses are not calculated into grade point average at UHCL.

Incomplete Grade and Incomplete Grade Contract

A grade of Incomplete (I) may be given at the discretion of the instructor to students who are making satisfactory progress in a course. Incompletes are typically given for emergency situations that occur after the withdrawal date, but prior to the end of the semester; and, which prevent the student from completing course requirements. When assigning the grade of I, instructors provide students with an Incomplete Grade Contract that outlines the work to be accomplished and its deadline date that must be met before the incomplete can be converted to a final grade. This contract constitutes an agreement between instructors and students. A grade of I must be resolved within the time limit set by instructors; however, such limits may not be extended beyond the grade submission deadline for the next long semester following the semester in which the incomplete was assigned. Failure to resolve an incomplete will result in its conversion to a final grade of F on students’ permanent records. An I can be converted to a final grade only. A statement denoting the lapse will appear on the transcript.

Students should not re-register for a course to complete a grade of I. Incomplete grade contracts are submitted to the appropriate associate dean’s office.

Students on academic probation, who have outstanding I grades, will remain on probation until all incompletes are resolved. I grades are not calculated in the GPA. An Incomplete, which has been changed to a grade or has been converted to an F will be recorded and academic action taken during the semester of the grade change.

In Progress Grade

Some undergraduate internships require a grade of In Progress (IP) until a final grade is earned. The IP grade will not automatically convert to an F if not resolved within a specified time.

Grade Changes

Grade changes are allowed for only one of the following three reasons:

• Removal of an incomplete grade.
• Result of a formal grade appeal or hearing process.
• Correction of instructor error.
• Other than removing an incomplete, grades will not be changed on the basis of extra work submitted after final grades are assigned.

Only the course instructor may assign grades for students in a course. Grade changes may be made by the instructor or the associate dean in the absence of the instructor. After one long semester, a grade change submitted by an instructor must be approved by the associate dean for the program in which the course was taught. Grade changes must be filed in the Office of the Registrar within one year after the original grade is posted. Grade changes resulting from the completion of In Progress (IP) or Incomplete (I) work may only be initiated by the instructor of record or the associate dean. Academic action that results from a grade change will be taken during the semester of the grade change. The changed grade will be the final grade used to compute the GPA.

Repeated Courses

If students repeat a course, it is with the understanding that the last grade earned in the course is the one counted toward fulfillment of degree requirements and hours earned. Only the hours and grade points earned on the last attempt will be counted in the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation and in determining academic standing. However, the original grade earned at UHCL will remain a part of the academic record. Courses repeated at other institutions are treated as transfer credit. They will not be considered resident credit and will not be included in the UHCL GPA. Only grades earned on repeated courses taken at UHCL will be counted in the UHCL GPA.

Note: While the last grade earned will be used to calculate GPA and academic standing for the most recent term, academic standing history will not change. In addition, some courses are repeatable for credit and repeating a course will not change the GPA. For example, each attempt of Special Topics courses will count towards the GPA.

Grade Reports

Students can access their semester grades online at www.uhcl.edu/eservices. The student’s password is required for this confidential access. Grades can also be obtained by requesting a transcript. Grade reports are not mailed.

Interim Grade Reports

To help undergraduate students monitor their academic performance, faculty members teaching 1000 and 2000 level courses will provide six-week progress grades for students with unsatisfactory performance. Six-week progress grades are provided in the fall and spring semesters only. Interim grades are advisory grades and are not recorded on the student’s permanent record.

Procedures for Entering Interim Grades

Faculty will report grades of D or F through E-Services. Interim grade rosters for 1000 and 2000 level courses will be available starting the Monday of the sixth week of class through Tuesday of the seventh week of class. The Office of the Registrar will notify faculty of the availability of interim grade rosters and the reporting deadlines each spring and fall semester. Students will be able to view interim grades in E-Services once the faculty deadline to enter grades has passed. Interim grade reports will be provided to academic advisers who will contact students experiencing difficulties.

Academic Standards

The university expects students to meet certain standards of academic performance in order to maintain good standing and degree candidacy. The academic performance standards stated in this catalog apply to all students regardless of the catalog under which they entered the university.

Academic Status

Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or better in coursework at UHCL. Each college may establish standards beyond the university’s minimum cumulative GPA requirement. A minimum of 2.000 cumulative GPA is required to graduate. The last attempt of all coursework taken as an undergraduate will be used in calculating the grade point average and determining academic status even when those courses are not counted toward degree requirements.

Academic Probation

Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.000 will be placed on academic probation. Students who are on academic probation must earn a minimum 2.000 semester GPA on coursework each subsequent semester until the grade point deficiency is removed. Students will be removed from academic probation when their semester grade point average is 2.000 or higher and their cumulative grade point average is at or above 2.000. Only coursework taken at UHCL will be applied toward the grade point deficiency. Students on academic probation, whose cumulative GPA meets minimum requirements, will remain on probation until all incompletes are resolved. Students who leave the university on academic probation will be readmitted on academic probation. Academic probation will be noted permanently on students’ academic records.

Academic Probation Counseling

Undergraduate students placed on academic probation will be placed under mandatory academic counseling until such time that the student returns to good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0). The academic probation counseling program is a comprehensive program that requires the student to meet with their academic advisers to evaluate the support needs of the individual. In collaboration with resources and individuals across campus, the student’s academic adviser will assist the student in developing an academic plan that guides the student’s return to good academic standing.

Academic Suspension

What is Academic Suspension?

If you are on academic probation and your semester GPA falls below the required 2.0 for undergraduates or 3.0 for graduate students, you will be placed on academic suspension. Reinstatement from academic suspension is not automatic. You must petition the administrator indicated below in order to request consideration for reinstatement from suspension. If you are suspended, you will not be able to enroll, audit, or visit classes for a period of time until you are reinstated. Suspension timeline is as follows:

•  First suspension - one semester
•  Second suspension - one year
•  Third suspension - after one year

When can you return to UHCL?

Reinstatement Process for First or Second Suspension 

After serving your suspension period, before you can apply for reinstatement to UHCL, you must:

Determine if you will remain in the degree program that you were previously enrolled in. If you are not seeking to change majors upon your return, you will need to submit a request for reinstatement to the associate dean of your college. If you intend to change your degree program, you will need to make your reinstatement petition to the associate dean of your desired program.

Your written reinstatement petition should address 1) the circumstances that led to your academic difficulties, 2) how your circumstances have changed; and, 3) what steps you intend to take to improve your academic performance if you are reinstated. If you took courses at another institution while under suspension at UHCL, you should attach a copy of transcripts showing your academic activity. Be sure to ask institutions you have attended during your absence from UHCL to send your transcripts to the UHCL Office of Admissions. You may also be asked to provide additional documentation to support the identified circumstances that led to your academic difficulties. If you are applying for reinstatement after a year of non-enrollment at UHCL, once you are reinstated, you will need to submit a new admissions application and pay the appropriate application fee.

Reinstatement decisions will be made by the associate dean of your college, or of the college to which you wish to transfer to in consultation with the department chair and designated program faculty. The international student adviser should be notified of the decision, if applicable. In addition to consultation with the faculty, the associate dean will consult with any and all appropriate offices who could have knowledge of the student (e.g. academic advising, student success, etc.). Decisions made by the associate dean may be appealed in writing to the dean of the college within 15 calendar days of the associate dean’s communication of the reinstatement decision.

Reinstatement Process for Third Suspension

If you have been suspended for a third time, you may petition for reinstatement by writing to the associate dean of your college, or the college to which you are transferring, after a year of sitting out from your work at UHCL. Reinstatement is not automatic. The gravity of the circumstances and the academic history will be considered in determining if the petition should be granted. You may not apply for early reinstatement after the second suspension.

Your written petition should address 1) the circumstances that led to your academic difficulties, 2) how your circumstances have changed; and, 3) what steps you intend to take to improve your academic performance if you are reinstated. If upon reinstatement you wish to change majors, you must include a completed Academic Record Change form with your petition. If you took courses at another institution while under suspension at UHCL, you should attach a copy of transcripts showing your academic activity. Be sure to ask institutions you have attended during your absence from UHCL to send your transcripts to the UHCL Office of Admissions. You may also be asked to provide additional documentation to support the identified circumstances that led to your academic difficulties.

The final decision to reinstate after the third suspension will be made by the Vice Provost in consultation with your program faculty, college administrators and all appropriate offices who could have knowledge of your situation.

Reinstatement Process for Early Reinstatement 

If extenuating circumstances beyond your control affected your academic performance, you may submit a petition in writing for early reinstatement to the associate dean of your college or the college to which you are transferring. You may only apply for early reinstatement after the first or second suspension. No early reinstatement will be considered for the third suspension. Early reinstatement is not automatic. The gravity of the circumstances and the academic history will be considered in determining if the petition should be granted. The final decision to grant early reinstatement will be made by the Vice Provost in consultation with your program faculty, college administrators and all appropriate offices who could have knowledge of your situation.

Your written petition for early reinstatement should address 1) the circumstances that led to your academic difficulties, 2) how your circumstances have changed 3) the basis for your request to return from academic suspension early; and, 4) what steps you intend to take to improve your academic performance if you receive early reinstatement. If upon early reinstatement you wish to change majors, you must include a completed Academic Record Change form with your petition. If you took courses at another institution while under suspension at UHCL, you should attach a copy of transcripts showing your academic activity. Be sure to ask institutions you have attended during your absence from UHCL to send your transcripts to the UHCL Office of Admissions. You may also be asked to provide additional documentation to support the identified circumstances that led to your academic difficulties and reason for early reinstatement.

After Reinstatement

Once you are reinstated, your academic standing will change from academic suspension to academic probation. You will be placed under mandatory academic counseling until you return to good standing. This designation means that as long as you are on probation you will have a registration hold that will require you to meet with your academic adviser in order to register for classes. The administrator authorizing your reinstatement may also stipulate additional conditions until you return to good standing, such as limiting the number of hours you may take, specifying courses that must be completed, or designating the course delivery mode for classes to be taken.

If students are allowed to enter the university after academic suspension, they enter on academic probation and will remain in that status until their cumulative GPA meets the minimum requirement of 2.000 for undergraduate students. A student who is reinstated must undergo mandatory advising and a registration hold will be placed on their record until such time that they return to academic good standing. Disciplinary suspensions are not covered by this policy. For details of the UHCL disciplinary policy, see the Student Handbook.

Dean’s List

At the end of each semester, all undergraduate students who earn nine or more credit hours during a fall or spring semester (or six or more credit hours during a summer semester) will be considered for the Dean’s List. To be named to the Dean’s List, students must be in the top 10% of eligible students in their colleges, based on semester GPA. Students who receive any form of the grades of I, D, NG, NC, or F during the semester are not eligible for the Dean’s List.

Academic Policies

Academic Appeals Policy

Academic appeals include those appeals related to grades and academic programs or degree requirements. Specific instructions are provided below for each type of academic appeal.  In all instances, the university expects that every attempt will be made initially to resolve such disputes informally through discussions by all relevant parties prior to initiating formal procedures.

Grade Appeals

Students must contact the instructor with the grade appeal within 10 days of grades being posted. If a satisfactory solution cannot be reached with the instructor or the instructor does not respond within 10 business days, the student may send a written statement detailing the grounds for the appeal to the chair of the department in which the grade was earned. The student must send the Academic Appeal form to the department chair within 10 business days of the date of response from the instructor or when a response from the instructor was due. The department chair must respond to the student and instructor within 10 business days of receipt of a timely appeal. If the student wishes to appeal a decision by the department chair, it is appealed to the Academic Appeal Committee within the college in which the appeal is based. Additionally, if the student does not receive a response from the department chair within 10 business days, they may appeal to the Academic Appeal Committee within the college where the appeal is based. The committee must review the grade appeal and any additional provided documentation and render a decision on the requested grade appeal within 10 business days of receipt of the materials from the associate dean and forward this decision to the student, instructor, department chair and associate dean.  If a student wishes to appeal a decision of the Academic Appeals Committee, they must notify the associate dean of the college within 10 business days of receipt of notification from the Academic Appeals Committee. Additionally, if the student does not receive a response from the Academic Appeals Committee within 10 working days of the date materials were provided to the committee, they may appeal. To initiate this appeal, the student must forward any written documentation and the written reason for their appeal within 10 business days to the associate dean of the college in which the grade was earned. The associate dean will forward the student appeal of the decision of Academic Appeals Committee and any provided documentation to the dean of the college for review and consideration. The dean, or their designee, must review the grade appeal and any additional provided documentation and render a decision on the requested grade appeal within 10 business days of receipt of the materials from the associate dean and forward the decision to the student, instructor, and associate dean who will notify the Academic Appeals Committee. The dean’s decision (or the decision of their designee) is final on all grade appeals.

Appeals of Academic Program or Degree Requirements

All appeals relating to specific program requirements (e.g., residency requirements) require that students submit a written petition to the associate dean of the degree-granting college detailing the grounds for the appeal. The associate dean will respond in writing with a decision. The student may appeal this decision in writing to the dean within 15 working days of notification. The dean’s decision is final.

Academic Honesty Policy

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS OF POLICY

Preamble and Code

Academic honesty is the cornerstone of the academic integrity of the university. It is the foundation upon which the student builds personal integrity and establishes a standard of personal behavior. The University can best function and accomplish its mission in an atmosphere of the highest ethical standards. The University expects all students, faculty, and staff to contribute to such an atmosphere by observing all accepted principles of academic honesty. This policy is designed to encourage honest behavior and outlines the processes and actions pertaining to any violation of the Academic Honesty Policy and Honesty Code.

Honesty Code

The Honesty Code is the university community’s standard of honesty and is endorsed by all members of the University of Houston-Clear Lake academic community. It is an essential element of the University’s academic credibility. The Honesty Code states:

I will be honest in all my academic activities and will not tolerate dishonesty.

Rationale.

The University of Houston-Clear Lake expects and encourages all students, faculty, and staff to abide by the Honesty Code. However, it is recognized that any university may include a few students who do not understand, appreciate, or choose to practice the accepted principles. As a consequence, alleged cases of academic dishonesty will inevitably occur. The following procedures are designed to handle these cases in fairness to all concerned: the accused student, the faculty, and the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

General Jurisdiction.

Matters relating to academic honesty are within the general jurisdiction of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

Questions Regarding Applicability of Policy.

All questions regarding the applicability of University of Houston-Clear Lake policy, code, or special provisions of either shall be determined finally by the Provost.

Compass of Actions Taken Against Students.

Actions taken against students are university-wide in their effect, unless otherwise specified.

Student Responsibility.

Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in all academic work attempted while enrolled at the University including following the Academic Honesty Policy. Each student acknowledges, by the mere act of turning in work for a grade, that they have honored the Honesty Code. Students shall have the responsibility of reporting incidents of alleged academic dishonesty to the instructor involved, or to the appropriate authority if the alleged act is not associated with a specific class, or if necessary, to the Dean of Students.

Teaching Assistant Responsibility.

Teaching assistants, including proctors, will have the responsibility of reporting incidents of alleged academic dishonesty to the instructor involved.

Instructor Responsibility.

Instructors are responsible for knowing the principles and procedures of the Academic Honesty Policy, and for enforcing the policy when academic honesty violations occur. Instructors must also remind students of the Academic Honesty Policy and help them comply with it.

Purpose of Procedures.

The purpose of these procedures is to provide for the orderly administration of the Academic Honesty Policy consistent with the principles of due process. Reasonable deviations from these procedures will not invalidate a decision or proceeding unless the Provost determines, upon written appeal from the accusing and/or accused parties, that the deviation will result in prejudice to one or more of the parties involved, including the student or instructor.

Notification.

All required written notices shall be addressed to the student via their UHCL email. It is the responsibility of the student to regularly check (at least once per week) their UHCL email. A notice properly addressed and so sent shall be presumed to have been received by the student.

Retaliation.

The University of Houston-Clear Lake prohibits retaliatory action against persons who report incidents of alleged academic dishonesty under this policy, who are suspected of having reported incidents of alleged academic dishonesty under this policy, who are identified to serve or have served as witnesses in any academic honesty proceeding, or who are identified to serve

or have served on a hearing panel. Any acts of retaliation will be referred to the appropriate office for review and response.

Academic Honesty Panel.

The Academic Honesty Panel is a group comprised of faculty, students, and academic administrators that conducts hearings in matters of academic dishonesty. It is the charge of the Academic Honesty Panel to uphold the Academic Honesty Policy of the University of Houston­ Clear Lake and to ensure that the policy process herein has been followed The Academic Honesty Panel includes one faculty member from each college, one student from each college, and an Associate Dean of the college in which the student is not enrolled.

The Student Government Association Executive Council will select a pool of students for each college. Each college Dean will select a student representative and an alternate from the college’s pool of students. Members of the Academic Honesty hearing panel for a specific case will not include a member involved in the case of violation of the Honesty Code. Members are selected prior to the beginning of each academic year for a one-year term to begin September 1 through August 31 and they may serve consecutive terms. The Panel shall hold a hearing within 10 working days of being notified by the Dean of Students.

II. PREVENTATIVE PRACTICES

Student Practices.

University of Houston-Clear Lake students may be required to participate in training on academic honesty and acknowledge their acceptance of the policy. Students will be provided with evidence of completion of training, which must be submitted to instructors as requested. Students are encouraged to read the Academic Honesty Policy and review as needed.

Instructor Practices.

Instructors can help students comply with the Academic Honesty Policy by noting the Honesty Code on the course syllabus and providing course-specific guidance. Instructors will use reasonable security precautions in the preparation, handling, and administering of graded work.

Instructors can help students comply with the academic honesty policy by minimizing temptation to act dishonestly. Measures instructors should consider are:

1. Maintaining adequate security precautions in the preparation and handling of tests;
2. Structuring the type and sequence of examination questions so as to discourage dishonesty;
3. Providing ample room for proper spacing of students during examinations, when possible;
4. Monitoring examinations, especially in large classes and in classes where not all students are known to the instructor or the assistant;
5. Making clear to their students the rules concerning the use of electronic devices;
6. Making clear to their students, in writing, what constitutes academic dishonesty, particularly in those classes where group activities (laboratory exercises, generation of field reports, etc.) are part of the instructional process;
7. Requiring students to submit their own work and defining for their students particular aspects of dishonesty, such as plagiarism and self-plagiarism;
8. Requiring students to show a picture ID and sign major assignments and exams; and
9. Helping raise consciousness of the issue of academic honesty by asking students to sign an honor pledge in the first week of class and to write a short honor pledge in their own hand on their major assignments.

University Practices.

The University will help students comply with the Academic Honesty Policy by informing students about academic honesty. Information about the Academic Honesty Policy will be provided to students at the time of admission and highlighted during orientation programs. The University shall establish guidelines to monitor that students and faculty follow the guidelines set forth in II.A and 11.B. Additional awareness efforts can be made at the College- and University-level that engage all members of the University community, with a particular focus on informing students and instructors about the Academic Honesty Policy each academic year.

III. CATEGORIES OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Application of the Academic Honesty Policy.

This policy applies to those acts of dishonesty committed by a student while enrolled at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Academic Dishonesty Prohibited.

“Academic dishonesty” means employing a method or technique or engaging in conduct in an academic endeavor that contravenes the standards of ethical integrity expected at the University of Houston-Clear Lake or by a course instructor to fulfill any and all academic requirements. Any conduct or activity by a student intended to earn or improve a grade or receive any form of credit by fraudulent or dishonest means is considered an Honesty Code violation and deemed academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Plagiarism

Plagiarism can include, but is not limited to, the following acts:

a. Using the words of another author without indicating that these words belong to another author.

b. Summarizing the words of another author without indicating that the summary has been derived from another author.

c. Using the ideas of another author without indicating that these ideas belong to another author.

d. Engaging another writer, whether a professional, friend, or family member to write a document that the student writer is expected to be solely responsible for writing. Or, stealing, copying, purchasing, or “borrowing” the writing of another author for the purpose of submitting the work as the writer’s own.

e. Copying the organizational strategy of another author by presenting ideas in the text in exactly the same order as in the primary text.

2. Cheating

a. Openly cheating in an examination, such as copying from another’s paper;

b. Being able to view during an examination, quiz or any in-class assignment an electronic device that allows communication with another person, access to unauthorized material, access to the internet, or the ability to capture an image, unless expressly permitted by the instructor;

c. Using and/or possessing “crib notes,” as unauthorized use of notes or the like to aid in answering questions during an examination;

d. Giving or receiving unauthorized aid during or after an examination, such as trading examinations, whispering answers, passing notes, or using electronic devices to transmit or receive information;

e. Informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the examination is given;

f. Securing another to take a test in the student’s place. Both the student taking the test for another and the student registered in the course are at fault;

g. Providing answers for any assigned work when not specifically authorized by the instructor to do so;

h. Working with another person or persons on any assignment when not specifically permitted to do so;

i. Taking credit for work contributed by the group that was not done by the student;

j. Completing work for other students who receive credit;

k. Purchasing or otherwise obtaining unauthorized coursework solutions;

3. Fabrication, Falsification, and Misrepresentation

a. Changing answers or grades on a test that has been returned to a student in an attempt to claim instructor error;

b. Using another’s laboratory results as one’s own, whether with or without the permission of the owner;

d. Falsifying results in laboratory experiments;

e. Misrepresenting academic records or achievements as they pertain to course prerequisites or corequisites for the purpose of enrolling or remaining in a course for which one is not eligible;

f. Representing oneself as a person who has earned a degree without having earned that particular degree;

g. Misrepresenting one’s qualifications, forging signatures, or falsifying information on official documents for the purpose of academic gain;

4. Stealing and Abuse of Academic Materials

a. Stealing, as theft of tests or grade books, from faculty offices or elsewhere, or knowingly using stolen tests or materials in satisfaction of exams, papers, or other assignments; this includes the removal of items posted for use by the students;

b. Mutilating, destroying, concealing, stealing, or altering any materials provided to assist students in the completion of academic work, including library books, journals, computer files, microfilm and microfiche files, materials placed on reserve by the instructor, or any such materials as the instructor may provide or assign;

c. Copying of any data files or copyrighted computer program(s) for one’s own personal use or the use of others;

d. Sharing usernames and passwords with another to allow unauthorized access to restricted information or uploading course materials (e.g. exams, assignment solutions, graded work) to the internet;

5.Complicity in Academic Dishonesty

a. Failing to report to the instructor an incident which the student believes to be a violation of the academic honesty policy;

6. Academic Misconduct

a. Any other conduct which a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances would recognize as dishonest or improper in an academic setting.

IV. ACADEMIC HONESTY ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

The instructor has primary responsibility and authority in the classroom. Since each instructor has specific responsibilities to inform students of the contents of the Honesty Code, encourage compliance with the Honesty Code, and enforce the Honesty Code in the classroom, it is incumbent upon the instructor to administer the Academic Honesty Policy in a fair and judicious manner in all instances of alleged academic dishonesty.

Course Level Resolution

When an instructor has evidence that a violation of the Honesty Code may have occurred, whether through their personal witness or through a report made by another person, the instructor should immediately investigate the alleged violation to determine the facts. If a student or other member of the University community suspects that another student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, that person shall notify the instructor in the course in question.

The instructor shall notify the student, via UHCL email, of the allegation and proposed sanction. The instructor will include the Department Chair on the notification email. Once informed of the alleged violation, the student has 10 working days to respond and, if desired, meet with the instructor to discuss the alleged violation. The meeting represents an opportunity for the student to present a defense on their own behalf.

After the 10 day period, and after consideration of any new evidence, the instructor will notify the student and Department Chair of their decision regarding the alleged violation with the proposed sanction. If it has been determined that a violation has occurred, the following will occur:

1. The instructor will document the violation and sanction on the Honesty Code Violation Form, and email the completed form to the student, Department Chair, and Dean of Students. This form must be completed for all instances of violation of the Academic Honesty Code, regardless of the severity of the alleged violation or the sanction imposed.
2. The Honesty Code Violation Form will include notification to the student that the decision may be appealed to the Academic Honesty Panel, and that, to appeal the decision, the student must contact the Dean of Students by email, with a copy to the instructor and Department Chair, within 10 working days of receiving the completed Honesty Code Violation form.

a. If the decision is appealed, the Academic Honesty Panel Resolution procedures will be followed as outlined below.

b. If the decision is not appealed, the Dean of Students will advise students with no academic honesty violations on record that the case is closed, unless the instructor requests sanctions beyond those available in a course.

Students with academic honesty violations on record or facing additional disciplinary action(s) will be required to appear in front of the Academic Honesty hearing panel.

c. The Dean of Students will advise the student that, in addition to academic sanctions by the instructor, the student may also be subject to disciplinary action. Such action may be imposed by the Academic Honesty Panel if evidence exists of repeated violations of the Honesty Code.

In the event a case of academic dishonesty is not resolved prior to the deadline for reporting final grades to the registrar, the student shall receive a grade of Incomplete (“I”) until the appropriate grade can be determined.

Academic Honesty Panel Resolution

An Academic Honesty Panel hearing will be held in the following instances:

The instructor determines that a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty and such act warrants sanction more severe than those available for a course (e.g. Suspension). In this case, the instructor must attach a copy of the complaint to request sanctions beyond the course level sanction to the Honesty Code Violation Form. The instructor shall recommend what they believe to be the appropriate sanction to the Academic Honesty Panel. The Dean of Students will initiate a formal hearing process as soon as possible but no later than thirty working days from receipt of the complaint from the instructor, notifying the student of the alleged violation and setting a date and time for the hearing before the Academic Honesty Panel.

The student has a pre-existing record of academic dishonesty. The Dean of Students will notify the student, instructor(s), and the Department Chair(s) of the series of alleged violations and set a date and time for a hearing before the Academic Honesty Panel.

The Dean of Students is timely notified within 10 working days that the student wishes to appeal a course level sanction. The Dean of Students will initiate a formal hearing process as soon as possible but no later than thirty working days from receipt of the appeal, notifying the student, instructor, and Department Chair of the date and time for the hearing before the Academic Honesty Panel.

Academic Honesty Panel Hearing

The Dean of Students or their designee, shall be required to convene these hearings to serve as the facilitator of the hearing(s). This individual shall not have a vote at the hearing or be present during the deliberations of the panel.

The hearing shall be held in two phases. The first phase is the determination of violation, followed if necessary, by the sanction phase.

The student may bring an adviser to the hearing for support and advice during the hearing. The adviser may attend the hearing but shall not directly participate in the hearing or enter into discussion with the parties present. Procedures for the Academic Honesty Panel hearing process are detailed in Appendix A.

If either party intends to have legal counsel attend the hearing, the Dean of Students must be notified at least three working days before the hearing. The hearing cannot be held with such counsel in attendance unless a representative from University of Houston System legal counsel is also present.

The student and instructor will have the opportunity to present their case during the hearing. This may include the introduction of documents and/or physical evidence as well statements of individuals who have knowledge of the circumstances.

If either party intends to have witnesses attend the hearing for such statements, the Dean of Students must be notified at least three working days before the hearing along with a written statement from the witness. The Dean of Students will provide the written statement(s) to both parties prior to the hearing.

If physical evidence or witness testimony is presented in the hearing, and if either party needs reasonable time to review the evidence and/or consider the witness testimony, either party may request a postponement of the the hearing. Decisions on postponement of the hearing will be made at the discretion of the Dean of Students or designee.

The cases presented to the panel must be made by the accusing individual and the accused student. The instructor or other individuals who reported the alleged misconduct shall present the relevant information, including statements by witnesses. The accused student shall then present their statement and relevant information, including statements by witnesses. Neither party shall ask questions of or solicit answers directly from the other party or its witnesses. Where it appears that there are matters of disputed fact, the Dean of Students shall request the panel to ask appropriate questions of either or both parties and/or their respective witnesses so as to clarify the points in dispute. The panel shall have the right to question any and all witnesses and to examine documentation presented.

At the conclusion of the first phase of the hearing, the panel shall meet in a closed session to render a decision. The Academic Honesty hearing panel deliberates and renders a vote.

A student is found in violation of the academic honesty policy by a vote of 6 or more members of the panel present at the hearing. In order for the hearing to proceed, at least 8 out of the 9 members of the panel must be present for the hearing. Upon reaching a decision in either phase, the phase shall reconvene with all parties present and inform all parties of its decision.

After resolution of an alleged violation, the Dean of Students will email the final decision to the student, instructor, Department Chair, and Academic Dean (or the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs if the student is non-degree seeking) within five working days of receipt of the panel’s judgment.

The decision of the Academic Honesty Panel should be considered final, unless there are specific grounds for appeal (see IV.E).

The hearing shall have an audio recording. The parties involved may obtain a copy of the recording from the Dean of Students at the expense of the requesting party.

Sanction Phase

During the sanction phase of the hearing, the student will have an opportunity to present relevant information regarding misconduct, including witness statements, documents and other information in accordance with hearing procedures.

The faculty and student will have an opportunity to present a sanction statement. The panel shall have the right to ask questions of both parties.

If the panel decides that a violation has occurred, then the instructor’s recommended sanction will be considered before a final decision is rendered by the panel. If repeated violations of the Academic Honesty Policy are documented, then the panel may impose additional penalties beyond the instructor’s recommended sanction. These may include, but are not limited to:

1. Grade: A grade penalty of “F” or “zero” for the course or for the academic assignment, respectively;
2. Probation: The student shall not represent the University in any extracurricular activity or run for office in any University sponsored group or organization. Additional restrictions or conditions may be imposed;
3. Suspension: Separation of the student from the University for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for re-admission may be specified. When suspended, a student may not attend class or participate as a student in any University activity;
4. Expulsion: Permanent separation of the student from the University.

Provost Appeal and Resolution

Within five work days of the panel’s decision, either party ( i.e. student or instructor) may file an appeal for review with the provost or that officer designated by the provost. The appeal shall be in writing and shall specifically address the issues to be reviewed based on one or more of the following grounds:

1. Significant procedural error inconsistent with the processes as outlined in this policy
2. Discovery of any new information unknown or not reasonably foreseeable at the time of the hearing that was material to and could have reasonably impacted the disciplinary decision.
3. The sanction(s) determined by the panel was significantly disproportionate to the violation.

If an appeal is submitted, the other party and Dean of Students will be notified by the Provost and will receive the appeal documentation prior to an appeal decision. The other party may submit a response within five working days. The Provost shall consider the appeal and deliver a decision within 15 working days of receipt of such appeal, except where adherence to such time period would be impracticable, in which case such time period shall be extended as warranted by the particular circumstances. If the other party submits a response to the appeal within 5 working days, the provost will have 20 working days to deliver their decision from initial receipt of the appeal. Any additional delays will be communicated via UHCL email to the parties, Department Chair and Dean of Students.

Actions Which the Provost May Take:

The Provost may decide to:

1. Approve the findings and/or sanctions of the panel.
2. Reverse the findings and/or sanctions of the panel.
3. Return the case back to the Dean of Students to provide a new proceeding, or allow the party to have the case handled beginning at any specific stage of the Academic Honesty Hearing Process.
4. In rare cases, return the case to the Dean of Students to provide a new proceeding with a different panel.

The Provost’s or designee’s written decision, and when applicable justification, will be sent to the parties, Department Chair and Dean of Students within the articulated time period.

Once the Provost has issued a decision, the matter shall be considered final and binding upon all involved.

Group Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy.

In instances where two or more students are alleged to be involved in the same infraction of the Academic Honesty Policy, at the discretion of the Dean of Students and in consultation with the relevant instructor, the case against the whole group will be heard by a single Academic Honesty Panel. The facts common to all cases will be presented, with all students allegedly involved, in attendance. Each student shall be allowed to present their case and/or statements to the panel separately. If requested by the presenting student, such statements shall be presented independently without the other accused student(s) in the room.

V. RECORDS

Records of Academic Honesty Proceedings.

The Dean of Students shall retain a copy of all Honesty Code Violation Forms. If the sanction imposed is a final grade penalty, suspension, or expulsion, the registrar’s office is notified, and a record of the notification is maintained in the registrar’s office according to the prescribed operating procedures of that office.

Records of proceedings under this policy are considered a student’s educational record in accordance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Notations on a Student’s transcript.

If the student is found in violation of the Honesty Code and the penalty is anything except suspension or expulsion, the form does not become a part of the student’s permanent record or transcript. Instead, it is retained by the Dean of Students. If the student is found in violation of the Honesty Code and the penalty is suspension or expulsion, the record becomes part of the student’s permanent academic file and the notation of “Disciplinary Suspension” or “Disciplinary Expulsion” is placed on the transcript. In the case of

suspension, the notation will be removed at the conclusion of the specified suspension period at the written request of the student. In the case of expulsion, the entry is noted permanently.

VI. DEFINITIONS

Working Days.

Working days, for purposes of this policy, are defined as days the University of Houston­ Clear Lake is open (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) as posted in the university academic calendar.

Academic Record.

Academic record includes documents, forms, copies, reports, statements, recordings, etc. that are acquired while a student attends the University of Houston-Clear Lake. The information is available to outside sources according to the procedures established by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.

Sanction.

Sanction means the penalty assessed for a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.

Instructor.

Instructor refers to a faculty member, lecturer, teaching assistant, adjunct instructor, or teaching fellow in charge of the course section in which an alleged violation of this Academic Honesty Policy has occurred. Such individuals will typically be the instructor of the course section in question. In instances where this is not the case, instances of alleged cheating should be reported to the instructor.

Student.

Student refers to any individual who has ever registered and paid (made a complete payment or has made at least one installment payment) for a course, or courses, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. This definition would normally include undergraduate students, graduate students, doctoral students, post-baccalaureates, professional school students, and individuals auditing courses.

Textbook and Educational Material Policy

1. POLICY

The following principles pertain to the role and responsibilities of faculty in the development and selection of instructional materials at the University of Houston-Clear Lake:

1.1 The selection and production of educational materials by faculty members and instructors is essential to providing quality instruction.  Therefore, the decision on the use of such materials properly rests with individual faculty members, instructors and/or faculty units, consistent with policies of the department, college and University.

1.2 The practice of contributing to a body of knowledge by faculty members and instructors in their chosen fields of study through the development of educational materials, e.g., textbooks, case studies, custom books, workbooks, is a practice that is not only acceptable, but actively encouraged by peers, department chairs, and deans.

1.3 In the case of educational materials produced by faculty members or instructors such that the materials are self-published by the faculty member or instructor; or are reproductions, custom books, or other materials, produced for the course; or are published by entities wholly or substantially owned by the faculty member or instructor or by a member of their family, then such materials shall be made available to students at the University of Houston-Clear Lake at the cost to produce.  Similarly, the case where departments or other instructional units produce educational materials, the items shall be available to students at no cost or at a cost no more than the cost to produce such material. Textbook and educational materials, published through learned societies, professional organizations and/or professional publishers, must be made available to students at a reasonable price consistent with national norms and selected according to national standards of scholarship.  In no case should students be charged for information that normally is available without charge, e.g., a course syllabus, practice exams.

1.4 Any instructional material utilized in the classrooms shall be aligned with the content of the course and the respective required curriculum.

1.5 In order to implement items 3 and 4, and to manage any conflict of interest, a faculty member or instructor of record at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, who receives revenue from the sale of instructional materials, must submit these materials for review by the curriculum committee of the college which offers the course where the material is used. After the review, the college curriculum committee will make a recommendation to the dean. Dean approval is necessary before requiring students to purchase educational materials that have been written, co-written or edited by the faculty member or instructor, and from which the faculty member or instructor shall receive royalties of any kind. Review and approval is necessary to ensure the material is consistent with the requirements in 3 and 4 above, along with the University’s conflict of interest policy.

University Degree Requirements

University undergraduate degree requirements include lower-level, core curriculum and upper-level requirements.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Applied Science Degree

All candidates for a Bachelor of Applied Science degree at UHCL must meet certain minimum requirements. Additional requirements may be imposed by the individual department or college. Students should refer to the department or college section of this catalog for complete requirements and total number of hours prescribed for the specific major.

The following are the minimum requirements for a Bachelor of Applied Science degree:

1. Students must complete at least 120 semester credit hours. A minimum of 45 hours of the 120 semester hours must be advanced (3000-4000 level) coursework according to the requirements of the respective major.
2. Students must complete the university core curriculum requirements (refer to Core Curriculum Requirements section of this catalog).
3. Students must fulfill the statutory requirements of the Texas State Education Code, including the following:
   1. Six hours of U.S. History (three hours may be Texas History).
   2. Six hours of Constitutions of the United States and Texas.
4. Students must complete at least 25% of the credit hours required for the degree (i.e., 30 semester credit hours for a 120 credit-hour program) through instruction offered by UHCL to fulfill the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) residency requirements.
5. Students must complete the final 30 semester hours of 3000 and 4000 level coursework in residence at UHCL.
6. Students must complete a minimum of 12 semester credit hours of upper-level (3000-4000 level) coursework in the major in residence at UHCL.
7. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.000 on coursework completed at UHCL with grades of C or better on at least 30 hours of resident upper-level work. Grades of C- or below cannot be applied toward the 30 hours of resident upper-level work.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Nursing

All candidates for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at UHCL must meet certain minimum requirements. Students should refer to the department or college section of this catalog for complete requirements and total number of hours prescribed for the specific degree.

The following are the minimum requirements for a B.S.N. degree:

1. Student must complete an associate’s degree in nursing or equivalent degree. Some of the credits earned as part of the A.D.N. will be applied toward the 120-semester-credit-hour requirement for the B.S.N. degree.
2. Students must complete the university core curriculum requirements (refer to Core Curriculum Requirements section of this catalog).
3. Students must fulfill the statutory requirements of the Texas State Education Code, including the following:
   1. Six hours of U.S. History (three hours may be Texas History).
   2. Six hours of Constitutions of the United States and Texas.
4. A minimum of 45 hours, including 30 upper-level hours in nursing, must be taken in residence.
5. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.000 on coursework completed at UHCL with grades of C or better on at least 30 hours of resident upper-level work. Grades of C- or below cannot be applied toward the 30 hours of resident upper-level work.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Art, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Social Work Degrees

All candidates for a bachelor’s degree at UHCL must meet certain minimum requirements. Additional requirements may be imposed by the individual department or college. Students should refer to the department or college section of this catalog for complete requirements and total number of hours prescribed for the specific major.

The following are the minimum requirements for a bachelor’s degree:

1. Students must complete at least 120 semester credit hours. A minimum of 45 hours of the 120 semester hours must be advanced (3000-4000 level) coursework according to the requirements of the respective major.
2. Students must complete the university core curriculum requirements (refer to Core Curriculum Requirements section of this catalog).
3. Students must fulfill the statutory requirements of the Texas State Education Code, including the following:
   1. Six hours of U.S. History (three hours may be Texas History).
   2. Six hours of Constitutions of the United States and Texas.
4. Students must demonstrate writing proficiency by completing nine hours of lower-level (1000-2000 level) and upper-level (3000-4000 level) English composition course credit with a minimum grade of C- or better. Some majors may require higher grades in English composition.
5. Students must complete at least 25% of the credit hours required for the degree (i.e., 30 semester credit hours for a 120 credit-hour program) through instruction offered by UHCL to fulfill the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) residency requirements.
6. Students must complete the final 30 semester hours of 3000 and 4000 level coursework in residence at UHCL.
7. Students must complete a minimum of 12 semester credit hours of upper-level (3000-4000 level) coursework in the major in residence at UHCL.
8. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.000 on coursework completed at UHCL with grades of C or better on at least 30 hours of resident upper-level work. Grades of C- or below cannot be applied toward the 30 hours of resident upper-level work.

Requirements for a Minor

Students may earn a minor by satisfying certain requirements.

The general requirements are as follows:

1. Students must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours in the minor field.
2. At least nine of the 15 semester hours must be 3000 level or higher.
3. At least six of the nine 3000 or higher semester hours must be taken in residence at UHCL.
4. Students must earn a 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average on courses attempted in the minor at UHCL.

Minors may include additional requirements, but will require no less than 15 semester hours of work in the minor field of study. The 15-hour limit excludes prerequisite courses.

Minors must be completed prior to graduation. Minor hours do not need to be completed within a student’s primary program of study (typically 120 hours). Minor hours do not alter excess hour fee requirements.

Minors may be associated with a disciplinary program or may be interdisciplinary. Interdisciplinary minors will comprise a planned integration of two or more disciplines with program and college approval.

Not all programs offer minors, but those that do will provide academic advice for the students who seek minors in their areas.

Substitutions in a minor can be initiated by either the major- or minor-granting department, but must be approved by both departments.

Students should consult the requirements listed in the catalog.

A minor is displayed on the transcript after graduation but is not displayed on the diploma.

Requirements for a Certificate

Students may earn a certificate by satisfying certain requirements specified by the College. See requirements listed in the certificate content area of the catalog. 

Time Limitation on Coursework Prior to Admission

Upper-level (3000-4000 level) credit earned more than seven years prior to the most current admission to undergraduate study at UHCL may not be counted unless approval is granted by the dean of the college. It is the prerogative of the department chair, in consultation with the faculty member responsible for the corresponding rubric to determine whether the courses meet current standards of the discipline; and, whether students can demonstrate sufficient retention of the previous content. The department chair will forward the recommendation to the dean of the college.

Additional Bachelor’s Degrees

Students possessing a bachelor’s degree from UHCL or another accredited institution may earn an additional bachelor’s degree in a different major by satisfying the following:

• Fulfillment of UHCL’s core curriculum requirements as previously noted. These requirements maybe fulfilled through prior coursework and/or additional current coursework, advanced placement credit, correspondence credit or CLEP credit.
• Completion of an approved CPS subject to the following provisions:
  • Fulfillment of all requirements of the specific degree program.
  • Completion of a minimum of 30 hours of upper-level coursework, which must be taken in residence.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.000 on coursework completed at UHCL, and grades of C or better on at least 30 hours of resident, upper-level coursework. Grades of C- or below cannot be applied toward the 30 hours of resident upper-level work.

Students pursuing additional bachelor’s degrees after the conferral of the first bachelor’s degree will be classified as post-baccalaureate and considered as undergraduates for all purposes including standards for academic performance. Credits earned and applied toward any previously earned bachelor’s degree will be reviewed by either the director, chair or coordinator of the program for applicability toward an additional bachelor’s degree.

Double Degrees

Students pursuing a double degree must meet the requirements below. Students who want official university recognition for more than a double major must earn more than one bachelor’s degree.

The degree objectives for double degree-seeking students can be different (e.g., B.A. and B.S.) or the same. The decision to seek double major or double degree should consider the combination of degrees and necessary hours for completion of major requirements.

• Student must officially declare and complete the degree requirements for both degrees. One degree will be referred to as the primary degree and the other will be referred to as the secondary degree. Students will be held to the catalog requirements in place at the time of declaration for each degree.
• Two separate degrees will be awarded.
• In order to complete a double degree, a student must earn a minimum of 30 additional advanced semester hours for the secondary degree; these 30 hours are in addition to the minimum total hours required for the primary degree.
• The primary degree should be the degree with the highest minimum total hour requirement.
• A minimum of 150 credit hours is needed for two degrees.
• Coursework that is required or may be counted by both degrees based on catalog requirements can be used towards both degrees.

Double Majors

Students may earn a baccalaureate degree with two majors (i.e., a double major) provided they meet all the following requirements:

• The baccalaureate degree must be the same for both majors (e.g., B.A., B.S.). Students must select a primary major and a secondary major. The college of the primary major will issue the university diploma.
• Students who pursue a double major between a College of Business program and another UHCL program outside of the College of Business must select the business major as their primary major and reside in the College of Business as the department of record.
• Students must satisfy the college and major degree requirements for their primary major that were in effect at the time they were admitted into the primary major, and those for their second major in effect at the time they were admitted into the second major.
• Students may not add a second major to a baccalaureate degree they have already received.
• Students must meet minimum grade requirements required by the respective college for each major.
• Students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of advanced work in residence in each major.
• Coursework that is required or counted by both majors based on catalog requirements can be used towards both majors. Courses required by both majors will count towards both majors in content and hours.

The University of Houston-Clear Lake does not recognize more than two majors for a single baccalaureate degree. Students who want official university recognition for more than a double major must earn more than one baccalaureate degree.

Students pursuing a double major who complete all degree requirements for one major, but not the other may graduate by dropping the incomplete major and graduating with only the single completed major.

Core Curriculum Requirements

Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world; develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse world; and, advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning (THECB, 2013). The core curriculum at UHCL contains 42 semester credit hours, encompassing nine component areas. Each component area has a minimum credit hour requirement and a set of specific courses that may be used to satisfy the requirement. The chart below details the courses that comprise UHCL’s core curriculum and its Texas common course number (TCCN) equivalents.

Communications (010) - 6 hours

• WRIT 1301 - Composition I  Credit Hours: 3
• WRIT 1302 - Composition II  Credit Hours: 3
• WRIT 2311 - Introduction to Professional Writing  Credit Hours: 3

Mathematics (020) - 3 hours

• MATH 1314 - College Algebra  Credit Hours: 3
• MATH 1324 - Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences  Credit Hours: 3
• MATH 1325 - Calculus for Business and Social Sciences  Credit Hours: 3
• MATH 1332 - Contemporary Mathematics  Credit Hours: 3
• MATH 1342 - Elementary Statistical Methods  Credit Hours: 3
• MATH 1350 - Mathematics for Teachers I  Credit Hours: 3
• MATH 2412 - Pre-Calculus Mathematics  Credit Hours: 4
• MATH 2413 - Calculus I  Credit Hours: 4

Life and Physical Sciences (030) - 6 hours

• ASTR 1303 - Stars and Galaxies  Credit Hours: 3
• ASTR 1304 - Solar System  Credit Hours: 3
• BIOL 1306 - Biology for Science Majors I  Credit Hours: 3
• BIOL 1307 - Biology for Science Majors II  Credit Hours: 3
• BIOL 1308 - Biology for Non-Science Majors I  Credit Hours: 3
• BIOL 1309 - Biology for Non-Science Majors II  Credit Hours: 3
• BIOL 2301 - Anatomy & Physiology I  Credit Hours: 3
• BIOL 2302 - Anatomy & Physiology II  Credit Hours: 3
• CHEM 1305 - Introductory Chemistry I  Credit Hours: 3
• CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I  Credit Hours: 3
• CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II  Credit Hours: 3
• CHEM 1372 - Diet and Nutrition Chemistry  Credit Hours: 3
• ENSC 1301 - Environmental Science I  Credit Hours: 3
• ENSC 1302 - Environmental Science II  Credit Hours: 3
• GEOL 1303 - Physical Geology  Credit Hours: 3
• GEOL 1304 - Historical Geology  Credit Hours: 3
• PHYS 1301 - College Physics I  Credit Hours: 3
• PHYS 1302 - College Physics II  Credit Hours: 3 
• PHYS 2325 - University Physics I  Credit Hours: 3 
• PHYS 2326 - University Physics II  Credit Hours: 3 
• PHYS 2425 - University Physics l with Laboratory  Credit Hours: 4
• PHYS 2426 - University Physics ll with Laboratory  Credit Hours: 4

Language, Philosophy and Culture (040) - 3 hours

• ANTH 2346 - General Anthropology  Credit Hours: 3
• COMM 1307 - Introduction to Mass Communication  Credit Hours: 3
• HUMN 1301 - Humanities  Credit Hours: 3
• LITR 2341 - Literature and Experience  Credit Hours: 3
• PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy  Credit Hours: 3
• SPAN 2311 - Intermediate Spanish I  Credit Hours: 3
• WGST 1301 - Gender Matters: Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies   Credit Hours: 3 

Creative Arts (050) - 3 hours

• ARTS 1303 - World Art Survey I  Credit Hours: 3
• ARTS 1304 - World Art Survey II  Credit Hours: 3
• ARTS 1314 - Dance Appreciation  Credit Hours: 3
• ARTS 2372 - Integrating Visual Art: Arts and STEM  Credit Hours: 3
• ARTS 2379 - Arts and the Child  Credit Hours: 3
• LITR 2366 - Introduction to Film Studies  Credit Hours: 3

American History (060) - 6 hours

• HIST 1301 - United States History I  Credit Hours: 3
• HIST 1302 - United States History II  Credit Hours: 3

Government/ Political Science (070) - 6 hours

• POLS 2305 - Federal Government  Credit Hours: 3
• POLS 2306 - Texas Government  Credit Hours: 3

Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) - 3 hours

• CRIM 1301 - Introduction to Criminal Justice  Credit Hours: 3
• ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics  Credit Hours: 3
• ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics  Credit Hours: 3
• GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography  Credit Hours: 3
• PSYC 2301 - Introduction to Psychology  Credit Hours: 3
• SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology  Credit Hours: 3
• SOCI 1306 - Social Problems  Credit Hours: 3
• SWRK 2361 - Introduction to Social Work  Credit Hours: 3

Component Area Option (090) - 6 hours

• ASTR 1103 - Laboratory for Stars and Galaxies  Credit Hours: 1
• ASTR 1104 - Laboratory for Solar System  Credit Hours: 1
• BIOL 1106 - Laboratory for Biology for Science Majors I  Credit Hours: 1
• BIOL 1107 - Laboratory for Biology for Science Majors II  Credit Hours: 1
• BIOL 1108 - Laboratory for Biology Non-Science Majors I  Credit Hours: 1
• BIOL 1109 - Laboratory for Biology Non-Science Majors II  Credit Hours: 1
• BIOL 2101 - Laboratory for Anatomy and Physiology I  Credit Hours: 1
• BIOL 2102 - Laboratory for Anatomy and Physiology II  Credit Hours: 1
• CHEM 1105 - Laboratory for Introductory Chemistry I  Credit Hours: 1
• CHEM 1111 - Laboratory for General Chemistry I  Credit Hours: 1
• CHEM 1112 - Laboratory for General Chemistry II  Credit Hours: 1
• COMM 1315 - Public Speaking  Credit Hours: 3
• EDUC 1100 - Learning Framework  Credit Hours: 3
• ENSC 1101 - Laboratory for Environmental Science I  Credit Hours: 1
• ENSC 1102 - Laboratory for Environmental Science II  Credit Hours: 1
• GEOL 1103 - Laboratory for Physical Geology  Credit Hours: 1
• GEOL 1104 - Laboratory for Historical Geology  Credit Hours: 1
• PHYS 1101 - Laboratory for College Physics I  Credit Hours: 1
• PHYS 1102 - Laboratory for College Physics II  Credit Hours: 1 
• PHYS 2125 - Laboratory for University Physics I  Credit Hours: 1 
• PHYS 2126 - Laboratory for University Physics II  Credit Hours: 1 
• PSYC 1100 - Learning Frameworks  Credit Hours: 1
• PSYC 1300 - Learning Frameworks  Credit Hours: 3

Note:

COMMUNICATIONS COMPONENT AREA OPTIONS

All students who enter the university are required to complete two of the following courses within the first 30 hours of their degree programs: WRIT 1301 (Grade of C- or higher is required) and either WRIT 1302 or WRIT 2311 (Grade of C- or higher is required). Students are encouraged to consult with their advisers to ensure that the courses selected will fulfill the requirements of their intended major.

Two, 1-hour Natural Science Labs (Note: Labs are the co-requisites to the Life and Physical Sciences listed).

Assessment

UHCL may use educational assessment tools. “Educational assessment” is defined as the systematic collection, interpretation and use of information about student demographics, educational environments, learning outcomes and professional success. These assessment tools will not affect student grades, but will provide faculty with confidential detailed information that will be used to improve student learning, courses, curriculum and program accreditation.

Freshman and Sophomore Students Taking Upper-Level Courses

Students with less than 48 hours of college credit at the 1000/2000 level cannot enroll in 3000/4000 level courses.

English Composition I and II Requirement

All students who enter the university are required to complete WRIT 1301 - Composition I  and WRIT 1302 - Composition II  or their equivalents within the first 30 hours of their degree program.

Non-Course-Based Options

UHCL offers non-course-based options (NCBO) for students who do not pass one or more areas of the TSI Assessment and are required to take NCBO per the TSI guidelines. Students placed in NCBO will also be placed in the entry-level college course for the subject area(s) needing improvement based on the TSI Assessment results. Participation in the NCBO and the companion college level course is mandatory during the first semester of enrollment. The NCBO are non-credit courses and are offered free of cost to students.

Graduation Under a Particular Catalog

Degree-seeking students should file Candidate Plan of Study (CPS), normally in the first semester of enrollment. Graduation requirements will be those of the UHCL catalog in effect when the CPS is signed and dated by the appropriate dean’s office and will be effective on that date.

Students transferring within a year directly to UHCL from a Texas public community college may petition the college’s associate dean to have the initial CPS use the degree requirements of the catalog ineffective when the students began the last period of continuous enrollment at the community college or a subsequent catalog. The effective date of the CPS will be either the date the students began the last period of continuous enrollment at a college prior to transferring to UHCL, or January 1 of the academic year of the catalog used.

If the student maintains continuous enrollment, they are entitled to graduate under the degree provisions on the CPS. Failure to enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least one course in a 12-month period shall break the student’s continuous enrollment for the purpose of the CPS. The associate dean may require revision of the CPS of students who have not maintained continuous enrollment. The revision may bring the plan into conformance with provisions of any catalog issued after the effective date of the plan. Students may, with the approval of their adviser and associate dean, amend their CPS to comply with the provisions of catalogs issued after the effective date of a previously filed CPS. When degree requirements change because of changes in standards set by regulatory authorities, licensing authorities or accrediting agencies, CPSs for all students in affected programs may be revised. In such cases, the university will seek to alter the CPS only to the extent required to meet the new standards.

Degree requirements must be completed within seven years from the effective date of the CPS. Exceptions may be granted by the appropriate dean. Undergraduate students exceeding the time limit will automatically come under the provisions of a more recent catalog, the specific edition to be determined by the appropriate dean’s office.

Applying for Graduation

Degrees are not awarded automatically upon completion of degree requirements. To be considered a candidate for graduation, the student must submit an online application for graduation via their student E-Services account. Degree candidates must officially apply for graduation within the first three weeks of the semester in which they plan to graduate, but no later than the date specified in the academic calendar. Please refer to the academic calendar for online graduation application dates and deadlines to avoid additional late fee charges. To be eligible to apply for graduation, students must have completed or be enrolled in the final courses required to meet graduation requirements. A non-refundable fee is required of all students who intend to complete their degree regardless if they choose to participate in the commencement ceremony.

If students do not successfully complete their degree requirements at the close of the semester for which they have applied, they will be required to reapply and pay another fee during the subsequent semester in which they intend to graduate. Students who elect to participate in the commencement ceremony must “walk in” the semester they graduate. As there is no commencement ceremony in the summer, students who graduate in August will be eligible to participate in the December ceremony. Diplomas are mailed after the final approval is received from the graduating student’s school. Diplomas are mailed to students 10 to 12 weeks after the end of the semester. Diplomas are mailed to the mailing address on record at the time of graduation. Students who graduate from UHCL must complete a new application and pay the applicable application fee in order to continue taking classes.

Applying for a Certificate

Students must officially apply through their E-Service account for the award of certificate completion the semester in which they plan to earn the certificate. During their last semester of enrollment, students must complete an application for the award of certificate completion by the stated deadline, as specified in the academic calendar. Please refer to the academic calendar for online graduation application dates and deadlines. If students do not successfully complete their certificate requirements at the close of the semester for which they have applied, they will be required to reapply and pay another fee during the subsequent semester in which they intend to complete.

Awards of the certificate will be posted to the official college transcript, but students will not participate in the graduation ceremony or receive a diploma.

Latin Honors

Undergraduate students who have applied to graduate and have completed their degree requirements with exceptionally high scholastic averages will be eligible for Latin Honors. To be considered as a candidate for Latin Honors a student must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale at close of the semester prior to applying for graduation. The final cumulative GPA at graduation will be used to determine Latin Honors.

Unless determined differently by a student’s college, graduating students will be awarded Latin Honors within the following grade point averages ranges:

Summa Cum Laude:  3.90 to 4.00

Magna Cum Laude:  3.75 to 3.89

Cum Laude: 3.5 to 3.74