Graduate Major Requirements
General requirements for graduation are included in this section of the catalog. The curriculum and specific requirements for each program are listed in the subsequent sections for the colleges of the University: Arts and Sciences, Business, Health, and Information and Mathematical Studies. Each student is responsible for both the general requirements in this section and the specific requirements for his or her chosen program of study.
Each graduate degree program must include a research component that indicates knowledge of the literature of the discipline. This requirement is not subject to change or revision.
A candidate for graduation is normally subject to the catalog graduation requirements that are in effect at the time the student entered their program. A graduate student may elect to satisfy the graduation requirements specified in a subsequent/later catalog. A student not enrolled for three (3) or more semesters is subject to the graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission. It is recommended that each student consult with their Graduate Program Director/Coordinator to develop a master’s degree plan of study by the end of the first semester of study. All students must submit their graduation application by the published semester deadlines.
Total Hours Requirement
The student must have earned the total number of semester credit hours specified for his or her degree program. The minimum is 30 hours; however, some programs require more hours.
Grade Point Average
A student must be in good academic standing at the time of graduation. The student must achieve a cumulative institutional GPA of at least 3.00 in all graduate courses taken. Courses in which a grade that is less than C (i.e., D, F, WF, or U) is earned will not count toward the fulfillment of the respective degree requirements. However, with the exception of a grade of U, grades less than C will count for GPA calculation purposes.
The scholastic standing of a student is expressed in terms of GPA, which is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of semester credit hours attempted in courses numbered 5000 or higher at Clayton State University.
Following is an example:
| Course | Semester Credit Hours | Grade | Numerical Equivalent | Quality Points 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 5000 | 3 | B | 3 | 9 |
| HIST 5100 | 3 | B | 3 | 9 |
| POLS 5010 | 3 | A | 4 | 12 |
| Totals | 30 |
Grade Point Average: Quality Points (30) / Credit Hours (9) = 3.33
1Quality Points are calculated by multiplying the Numerical Equivalent of the course grade (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0) by the Semester Credit Hours for the course.