Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend class regularly, to participate in class, and to be prepared with assignments. The University requires faculty to report students who have never attended or who stopped attending class. The impact of class attendance on the final grade is within the purview of the teaching faculty, and faculty will inform class members of their attendance policies through a course syllabus distributed at the beginning of the semester or term. Irregular attendance may result in referral to the Academic Support Office (Academic Alert). Students who miss an examination because of extenuating circumstances must request approval from the instructor to make up the assignment. Unless the student is officially representing the University off campus, the discretion of the instructor determines the action regarding missed exams or work. Class absenteeism that results in the grade of “FA” (failure, stopped attending and reported within 14 days of the last date of attendance) or “FN” (failure, never attended and reported within the first 14 days of class) may adversely affect the student’s time status, financial aid repayment of lottery scholarship, and/or veteran’s benefits.  Grades of “FA” are awarded for courses when a student stops attending class and grade of “FN” is awarded for courses when a student never attends the class.

Classification of Students

The academic standing or classification of undergraduate students is based on number of credit hours they have earned as follows:

Dean’s List

At the end of each specific semester/term a list of honor students, known as the Dean’s List, is published. To qualify for this distinction the student must earn at least 12 credit hours with a minimum semester/term GPA of 3.50. Courses taken on the Pass-Fail grading system will not be included in hours earned for purposes of the Dean’s List.

Declared Students

Students who have declared a major will be advised each term through their academic department. At the end of the advising session, the advisor will clear the student for registration. Students should review their OneStop advising page to confirm they have been cleared to register. A green checkmark will appear next to the respective term if the student has been cleared.

Students Without a Declared Major

APSU requires all freshmen without a declared major to select Academic Focus (Undeclared) with a meta-major pathway in: Art, Business, Education, Health Professions, Humanities, General Education, Social Sciences, or STEM. Students prepare to declare a major within three semesters. Academic Focus students complete their general education core requirements and collaborate with a professional academic advisor each semester to explore possible majors, learn degree requirements, and receive assistance with advisement and registration. Once a student has earned 42 credit hours they will need to declare their major to their intended bachelor’s degree or change their major to the Associate of Science in Liberal Arts.

Students who have declared a major will be advised each term through their academic department. At the end of the advising session, the advisor will clear the student for registration. Students should review their OneStop advising page to confirm they have been cleared to register. A green checkmark will appear next to the respective term if the student has been cleared.