Choosing a University Catalog

When a student first enrolls in any college or university with nine hours or more, that student is placed in a specific catalog to follow to earn a degree. This is the catalog that is currently in effect for that enrollment year. The student then has 6 years from their first enrollment year to complete the program under that catalog. A student does, however, have the option to move up to any subsequent catalog that is published.

A catalog is active for a period of six years.   For example, the 2003-2005 University catalog will expire the end of the 2009 summer session for students who take their first college course fall semester 2003 (Fall 2003 + 6 = Summer 2009).  Those students who take their first college course after fall 2003 will have six years to complete their degree under the 2003-2005 University catalog  (e.g. Fall 2004 + 6 = Fall 2010).

A major or minor must be legislated in a catalog in order for the student to complete the program under that given catalog. A student must choose the same catalog in which to complete a major, minor, and all general education requirements.   As an example:  the Bachelor of Science degree with a Communication major was approved to go into effect beginning the Fall 2005 Semester.  Therefore, a student would need to choose the 2005-2007 catalog or after if he/she were pursuing this degree/major and, therefore, could not choose an earlier University catalog under which this degree/major combination does not exist.

Any questions concerning the University catalog may be directed to the Degree Checking Office (235-4211).