Undergraduate
Academic Regulations and Procedures
Office of the University Registrar
University Registrar: Kimberly A. Barber; Associate Registrars: Jeremy Johnson, Robin Queen, Taylor Gomez
Location: A3900 University Center; phone: (850) 644-1050; e-mail: registrar@fsu.edu; Web: https://registrar.fsu.edu
The Office of the University Registrar is the official custodian of permanent academic records of all past and currently enrolled students at Florida State University. It is responsible for assisting departments and students with registration activities; maintaining student and departmental records for the term in progress; posting FSU credit, transfer credit, and grade changes; preparing FSU transcripts; scheduling academic space; maintaining and updating curricula; certifying eligibility to receive credit for Credit by Examination; certifying attendance for loan purposes; implementing and monitoring academic regulations; certifying eligibility to graduate; and providing services and information to students, faculty, and administration. Reports and certifications of attendance and grade point average are made to governmental agencies, such as the Veterans' Administration, with the student's permission.
Students should consult this office with questions concerning registration, locations and meeting times of courses, errors in registration records, dropping and adding courses, cancellation of registration, grade problems, application for graduation, and degree or enrollment verification.
All changes in permanent and local addresses, name, social security number, and residency should be made online or reported to this office immediately.
Persons with Disabilities. Any student in need of specific services and reasonable accommodations should contact the Office of Accessibility Services, 108 Student Services Building, (850) 644-9566, or visit https://dsst.fsu.edu/oas.
FloridaShines Information
All current and prospective students of higher education in the state of Florida can access the FloridaShines website, and FSU students can do so by logging in at https://www.floridashines.org using their University FSUID and password. At the site, you can perform a variety of tasks including the following:
- view a map showing the location of every participating college or university
- search course catalogs from all public and many private Florida colleges and universities
- obtain answers to questions about financial aid
- plan your course of study and compare majors and degree requirements
- obtain a copy of your unofficial transcript
- investigate career options through your institution's career center
- learn general information about every participating college or university in the program
Student Catalog-Year
The General Bulletin (matriculation catalog) governs each student's graduation requirements. This catalog remains in effect for six years for the bachelor's degree unless the student elects to meet the requirement of any subsequent General Bulletin published during the period of enrollment.
The Registration Guide and Class Schedules
FSU's Office of the University Registrar publishes the Registration Guide, which contains a list of all registration deadlines, fee and payment information, and important announcements specific to the semester. This information is published online at https://registrar.fsu.edu.
Lists of class offerings, meeting times, locations, and instructors (when known) are available 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year online through the Class Search; however, the Class Search is only available to newly admitted and current students through the myFSU portal (https://my.fsu.edu).
Anyone else can access weekly “snapshots” of the class schedule as well as archival PDF listings of classes for the years spanning 2013 to the present at https://registrar.fsu.edu/class_search.
Programs for Acceleration
Florida State University has established several avenues that permit a reduction in the normal amount of time required to complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
Dual Enrollment
Students who are enrolled in college coursework prior to graduation from high school may be awarded college credit at Florida State University. Refer to the ‘Transfer Credit' section of this chapter for specific information concerning what may transfer. The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) provides academic advising and registration for local high school students who meet eligibility requirements to take dual enrollment classes at FSU. For more information related to program qualifications and application procedures, visit https://ace.fsu.edu/dual-enrollment or call (850) 645-0852.
Credit by Examination
The University recognizes the following examination programs for which students may receive academic credit or exemption in lieu of coursework. These programs permit the qualified student to earn by examination up to thirty credit hours of credit toward General Education requirements and up to forty-five credit hours of credit toward total baccalaureate degree requirements.
Florida law requires the Articulation Coordinating Committee (ACC) to establish passing scores and course and credit equivalents for Advanced Placement (AP), Advanced International Certificate of Education Program )AICE), International Baccalaureate (IB), DSST (DANTES), Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT), UExcel (Excelsior College Exam) and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. Public community colleges and universities in Florida are required to award the minimum recommended credit for AP, AICE, IB, DSST, DLPT, UExcel (Excelsior), and CLEP exams as designated. The ACC Credit-by-Examination Equivalency List can be found on the Florida Department of Education website at http://www.fldoe.org/policy/articulation.
Students earning credit by examination must still satisfy departmental major and/or minor requirements; the University's coursework requirement of forty-five credit hours in courses numbered 3000 and above; and the Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes writing requirement, which is met with General Education coursework in Quantitative and Logical Thinking, English Composition, and the E-Series and “W” (State-Mandated Writing) requirements at Florida State University (see the “Undergraduate Degree Requirements” chapter of this General Bulletin).
Credit toward the baccalaureate degree will not be granted for courses taken that are judged equivalent to credit already earned through one of the examination programs and vice versa. In addition, duplicate credit by examination will not be awarded.
A course may not be dropped in anticipation of receiving examination credit. The successful score must be in hand at the time the request is made to drop an equivalent course.
Credit earned by examination may be declined by the student. Students must notify the Office of University Registrar, section of Records Audit and Analysis of this intention as soon as possible after successful scores have been received.
In accordance with the articulation agreement, students who have earned CLEP credit in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the AA degree from a Florida public institution will be awarded credit on the basis of their presentation of the AA degree. An individual evaluation will not be made.
Transfer students who have completed a general education program at a Florida public institution and whose transcript is so marked will be considered to have completed the General Education courses within the CoreFSU Curriculum program at Florida State University. A second evaluation of CLEP credits in the CoreFSU Curriculum areas will not be made.
Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE)
Students who have completed AICE examinations should submit their official score reports to Florida State University. Refer to the AICE Table at the end of this chapter for college course equivalents and credits earned.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Students who have participated in the AP Program in high school and received a score of three or better on the national examinations will receive college credit in the appropriate subject areas. Refer to the AP Table at the end of this chapter for college course equivalents and credits earned.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Students in an IB Program will receive up to forty-five credit hours of credit for scores of four or higher on both higher-level and standard-level examinations. Refer to the IB Table at the end of this chapter for college course equivalents and credits earned.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Florida State University grants credit in lieu of coursework for the CLEP subject matter examinations. Credits are awarded to any regularly admitted, degree-seeking undergraduate student who scores at or above the 50th percentile level of the sophomore norms on the CLEP examinations. Students receive appropriate credit, provided they have not completed the course, whether or not they received credit, at the college level in the subject area or received credit in the subject area through AICE, AP, or IB. Courses dropped prior to completion will not count against the student as attempted credit. Academic deans shall have the authority to make exceptions concerning examinations that may fall within a subject area for which a student has existing credit. Students must have the permission of the academic dean to take a CLEP exam for any mathematics or English composition course.
At Florida State University, CLEP examinations are administered through the Office of Evaluation Services, an open test center for CLEP.
Departmental Examinations
Departments and programs of the University may offer examinations for academic credit in lieu of coursework to undergraduate students upon request. Interested students should consult with their colleges or departments concerning the availability of examinations in lieu of specific courses.
Academic Credits
Florida Statewide Common Course Numbering System (SCNS)
The state of Florida utilizes a common course numbering system to facilitate the transfer of credit for equivalent courses among the state's colleges and universities. SCNS is now used at all public and selected nonpublic institutions of higher education in Florida.
Courses that have the same academic content and that are taught by faculty with comparable credentials are given the same prefix and last three numerical digits, and are considered equivalent courses; thus, THE 1234 taken at one institution is equivalent to THE 3234 at another institution. Equivalent courses are guaranteed to transfer to any other institution participating in SCNS.
Receiving Credit for Nontraditional Courses Prior to Initial Enrollment
(Including Short Courses and Massive Open Online Courses [MOOCs])
Non-traditional courses have many different purposes, including the recertification of persons for various subject matters and professional specialties. Short courses for credit shall have the same number of contact hours as do regularly scheduled courses, i.e., a one-hour course must have 15 total contact hours; a two-hour course must have 30 total contact hours; and a three-hour course must have 45- total contact hours. Alternatively, other nontraditional courses/settings must have an appropriate substitute(s) for the above contact hours, e.g., distance learning might include student/teacher interaction, student interaction with professor-designed materials, or other appropriate interactions. In no case can credit be given with less student participation than the above stipulated hours. Any alternative course(s) must document equivalency with traditional course(s) when such traditional courses exist.
Undergraduate students who are admitted to the University and who have completed online college-level courses prior to initial enrollment in undergraduate education may request that the University evaluate that work to determine if credit might be awarded. These may include, but are not limited to, massive open online courses (MOOCs). Students wishing to have such online coursework evaluated for the purpose of receiving credit should inform the Office of Admissions as soon as possible but prior to enrolling in classes at the University.
Courses that follow nontraditional scheduling patterns, such as running over from one semester to the next, may be scheduled through the Center for Professional Development and Public Service or through the Office of the University Registrar. Course hours must be scheduled in keeping with the above policy on credit for nontraditional courses, including short courses, adopted by the Faculty Senate.
Undergraduate students who are admitted to the University and who have completed massive open online courses (MOOCs) may request evaluation of that coursework for transfer credit. The evaluation process will follow the standard transfer credit evaluation processes used for all transfer credit.
Award of credit for that work must meet the following conditions:
- University faculty have determined the course content and learning outcomes to be comparable to a course offered at the institution;
- Courses meet the quality and accreditation standards intended for a transfer course, and
- The subject-area faculty have determined that the course is relevant to the student's intended program of study.
Students wishing to have such MOOC coursework evaluated for the purpose of receiving credit should inform the Office of Admissions as soon as possible but prior to enrolling in classes at the University.
Applicants will be notified if the credit has been approved. If they wish to appeal the decision, they may do so following the normal University grievance process for transfer-credit evaluation.
Credit awarded to MOOC coursework completed prior to the initial semester of enrollment shall be posted on the student's transcript.
Transfer Credit
The University accepts transfer credit from all nationally accredited institutions (or comparable international institutions) for coursework with grades of “D–” or better. All grades earned at other institutions are entered exactly as earned on a student's Florida State University permanent record at the time of transfer. The Florida State transcript displays the FSU GPA, the transfer GPA, and a cumulative GPA comprised of FSU and transfer grades combined.
Note: Effective fall term 2014, credit earned while on academic dismissal from FSU may be transferred to FSU and count toward the total hours required for the degree. All transfer credit policies pertaining to the nature and type of credit apply in the same manner as credit while not on dismissal.
Florida Statewide Articulation Agreement
The state of Florida guarantees Associate of Arts (AA) degree recipients from Florida public institutions acceptance of a minimum of 60 credit hours toward the baccalaureate degree with no additional general education core requirements.
The Transfer Credit Process
Students who have taken college-level coursework are required to submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Transfer credit will be evaluated and applied towards a student's academic program in one of three ways: 1) applied as a major/minor requirement replacing the equivalent required or optional course taught by the University; 2) applied as a CoreFSU Curriculum requirement replacing the equivalent required or optional course taught by the University; or 3) applied as a general elective that may or may not satisfy degree requirements.
At the undergraduate level, credit is first evaluated by the Office of the University Registrar's Records Audit and Analysis section to determine if the institution is regionally accredited (or comparable accreditation at international institutions), and if the credit is college level, vocational, or technical. Vocational or technical credit is not normally accepted for transfer; however, the baccalaureate dean may approve up to six hours of technical or vocational credit on appeal. The credit is then evaluated by the Office of Undergraduate Studies to determine if it is applicable to General Education requirements. Undergraduate-level or graduate-level courses are also evaluated by the student's chosen major department to determine degree applicability for major/minor requirements. During the review by the Office of Undergraduate Studies or the Upper-Level Department, the individual course prefix, number, description, host institution catalog, syllabus, and other supporting documentation are reviewed to determine if the course is logically and qualitatively equivalent to a Florida State course. All college-level coursework that is not applicable to CoreFSU Curriculum or major/minor requirements will be designated as general elective credit.
At the graduate level, all transfer credit must: 1) be recommended by the major department; 2) be evaluated as graduate work by the Office of the University Registrar at Florida State University; and 3) have been completed with grades of 3.0 (“B”) or better.
Grievance Process. Students who allege that transfer credit was improperly evaluated and applied may have their grievances addressed by:
- the Director of Admissions for initial posting of examination credit,
- the University Registrar for the initial posting of general elective credit,
- the academic dean of their selected major for major coursework and degree program requirements, and
- the dean of Undergraduate Studies for General Education equivalency.
If no resolution is reached, the student may file a grievance with the University. The University grievance policy is outlined in the “Academic Integrity and Grievances” chapter of this General Bulletin.
Correspondence-Study Credit
All correspondence instruction for the Florida State University System is administered through the University of Florida's Division of Continuing Education, Department of Flexible Learning.
College credit and continuing professional education courses are available anytime and anywhere through an online-learning management system. Flexible Learning offers several courses to students who would like either a flexible schedule or an opportunity to take extra courses. You can enroll at any time during the year.
Regularly enrolled students may not engage in correspondence study while in residence at the University. Students who expect to take correspondence courses during a break in residence should discuss these plans with their faculty advisor and then obtain written approval from their academic deans.
College courses include Economics, Education, English, History, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science, Psychology and more. Professional Development courses include a Dietary Manager Certificate and a Bail Bond Agent Certificate.
Any teacher in the state of Florida can now use correspondence course credit as appropriate to apply toward the recertification of their teaching licenses. Moreover, there is no limit to the number of courses that may fulfill the requirements.
Additional information on Flexible Learning college courses and fees can be found at https://flexible.dce.ufl.edu, and information for the Professional Development courses can be found at https://hub.aa.ufl.edu. We can also be contacted by phone from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays at (800)-327-4218, (352)-392-1711, or by e-mail at learn@dce.ufl.edu.
General Credit Limitations
Courses taken by correspondence through the state of Florida, Board of Governors approved off-campus courses, and/or courses evaluated and recommended as suitable for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) may be accepted by the University. The number of hours of such courses acceptable in any individual case is at the discretion of the academic dean. The total number of such courses accepted cannot exceed thirty credit hours. An undergraduate student may be granted a baccalaureate degree under degree requirements specified in the General Bulletin at the time of admission, insofar as course offerings will permit, provided the student graduates within a period of six years from date of first entry to the University. If a student exceeds six years in pursuit of the baccalaureate degree, the University may specify that the degree requirements of the most current General Bulletin will apply. A student may elect instead to meet the degree requirements specified in any subsequent General Bulletin covering a period of the student's enrollment. When credits are more than ten years old, they are subject to reevaluation by the appropriate dean before they can be applied toward graduation.
Other Types of Credit
Vocational, Technical, or Below College-Level Credit. No credit is allowed for vocational, technical, or below college-level coursework. However, a student's academic dean may allow credit for up to six hours of vocational or technical credit upon appeal.
Experiential Credit. The University does not award credit or accept transfer credit based on professional work experience.
International Credit. An official course-by-course evaluation is required for all academic records from non-U.S. institutions. We recommend the evaluation be done by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (https://www.naces.org).
Military Credit. For information regarding military credit, please refer to the “Student Veteran Information” chapter in this General Bulletin.
Academic Careers and Academic Levels
An “academic career” is composed of a student's status as degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking, plus the type and academic level of the degree being pursued.
- The undergraduate academic level is calculated based on semester hours.
- Where a student is non-degree-seeking, the academic career depends on the student's current degree status.
- Students with a career of Law or Medicine are classified based on their year within the program.
- Graduate students and various non-degree seeking students do not have specific academic levels or classification.
The University recognizes six academic careers: four degree-seeking and two non-degree-seeking. Rarely, a student may be simultaneously active in more than one career, subject to the academic policies and requirements of each career and the degree requirements.
Degree-Seeking Careers
- Undergraduate. The Undergraduate academic career applies to students pursuing any type of baccalaureate degree.
- Graduate. The Graduate academic career applies to students pursuing any type of master's degree, specialist degree, or doctorate degree, except the juris master, master of law letters, juris doctorate, or doctor of medicine degrees.
- Law. The Law academic career applies to students pursuing the juris doctorate (JD) degree, juris master (JM), or master of law letters (LLM).
- Medicine. The Medicine academic career applies to students pursuing the doctor of medicine (MD) degree.
Non-Degree-Seeking Careers
- Non-Degree without Baccalaureate. This academic career applies to students without a baccalaureate degree.
- Non-Degree with Baccalaureate (post-baccalaureate). This academic career applies to students who have previously earned, at a minimum, one baccalaureate degree or higher-level degree.
Note to Graduate Students Only: Students with Law or Medicine careers are classified based on their program year (first, second, etc.). Graduate students and various non-degree students do not have specific academic levels or classifications.
Academic Levels
The University may record a student's advancement toward degree completion by tracking their academic level, which is calculated based on the number of hours the student has earned. Academic levels with their hour requirements are:
- First-Year Student: zero through 29 credit hours
- Sophomore: 30 credit hours
- Junior: 60 credit hours
- Senior: 90 credit hours
- Post-Baccalaureate: previously earned bachelor's degree
- Graduate: admitted to a graduate program
- Law (JD degree): first through third year of program
- Medicine (MD degree): first through fourth year of program
- Non-Degree Seeking without Baccalaureate Degree
- Non-Degree Seeking with Baccalaureate Degree
- Transient Students
- High School Students
Reclassification of Non-Degree-Seeking Student to Degree-Seeking Status
Non-degree-seeking students who want to change to degree-seeking-student status must apply for admission through the Office of Admissions. Refer to the “Admissions” chapter of this General Bulletin for admission procedures and deadline dates.
Work taken as a non-degree-seeking student carries no degree credit. Up to 15 credit hours earned as a non-degree-seeking student, except where noted below, may be applied toward an undergraduate degree with the approval of the appropriate dean at the time of formal admission as a degree-seeking student or later.
Note: Students who enrolled in Florida State University as high school dual-enrollment students, while classified as non-degree students, are not subject to the 15-hour credit limitation that is established for non-degree-seeking students. Instead, they may count up to the maximum hours of allowed high school dual-enrollment credit.
Degree-Seeking Status at Two Separate Institutions
Under certain circumstances students may wish to pursue degrees at Florida State University and another institution simultaneously. In all cases students in this situation must consult their Florida State University academic advisor and academic dean to request approval in advance. If approval is granted, students may enroll at Florida State University and another institution under the following conditions:
- Students are responsible for complying with all rules, regulations, and policies of both institutions, including but not limited to admission standards; academic rules; residency; fees; graduation requirements; university, college, and departmental deadlines; and student codes of conduct. Florida State University is under no obligation to waive or otherwise modify any policies, requirements, or deadlines to facilitate the student's enrollment at another institution.
- Enrollment certification and degree verification issued by Florida State University will be based solely on current registration hours with Florida State University and any awards, honors, or degrees posted by Florida State University. The University will not combine enrollment or degree verification with another institution.
- Students receiving financial aid must designate one institution as the primary institution for financial aid distribution. The primary institution will be responsible for monitoring awards and delivery of financial aid. Florida State University will not combine enrollment hours with another institution for financial aid purposes.
- Students who are planning to transfer courses to Florida State University should seek advising in advance of doing so. The University limits the number of transfer hours a student may bring in depending on the type of degree and program. Hours used to satisfy a previous degree, either at Florida State or another institution, cannot be counted toward the current degree the student is pursuing.
Note: Different conditions, rules, and policies may apply if Florida State University has an approved consortia or cooperative agreement with the second institution. Students should be aware that approval by Florida State University to pursue degrees at Florida State and another institution in no way binds the other institution to a similar approval. Students are encouraged to consult with the second institution about its policies before enrolling in any courses.
Prior to Registration
- Establish your FSU identity by activating your FSUID and obtaining your FSUCard (https://fsucard.fsu.edu/your-fsucard) before preparing for registration. For further details, see the “Types of FSU Identification and Contact Information” section of this chapter below.
- Log into http://my.fsu.edu to check for any checklists, stops, or holds. Be sure to click through the details of each hold to review the contact information and instructions provided there. Contact your departmental office for any clearances or class authorizations you may need.
- Prior to registration, all undergraduate students are expected to access Schedule Assistant to review any remaining degree and major requirements.
- Health compliance requirements are found at https://uhs.fsu.edu. The student's immunization record may be used to show proof of immunizations. Students may also turn in records from their health care provider. Students under the age of 18 must have a parent's or guardian's signature on the student immunization record authorizing care at the Wellness Center before the student can be treated. Health insurance compliance can only be completed online at http://studentinsurance.fsu.edu. Healthcare Compliance gives step-by-step instructions for completing this requirement.
Academic Advisement and Registration Responsibility
All degree-seeking students are expected to participate in academic advising before registering for classes each semester. Students should check their FSU email regularly, as that is the main mode of communication advisors use to contact their students.
Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites and co-requisites for each course in which they are enrolled. Students who do not meet course prerequisites and co-requisites may be dropped by the academic department. Students are also responsible for any changes made to their schedule without an advisor's approval through the drop/add process. All permits such as underloads, overloads (see the “Student Course Load” section of this chapter), graduate class requests while an undergraduate, DIS, modified credit, and S/U grading should be discussed with an academic advisor. All such permits must then be approved by the student's academic dean. The student is responsible for ensuring that the Office of the University Registrar has copies of these permits on file.
Students may attend and receive credit only for those classes in which they are properly registered. Likewise, students will be held responsible for every class for which they register unless they officially drop the class or cancel registration.
Those students who register during late registration (normally the first four days of classes) will be assessed a $100.00 late registration fee.
Required Preparatory Classes
First-year students who have a score on the SAT or ACT that falls within the ranges below will be required to enroll in supplementary instruction for English Composition, Reading, and/or Mathematics during their first term of enrollment (unless they pass an on-campus skills test). Students must earn a satisfactory grade in their preparatory coursework to move on to taking General Education courses in these areas without supplemental support.
Test | Scores | Placement |
SAT Writing
ACT English
CLT, Classic Learning Initiatives Verbal/Writing |
0–480
0–16
0-37 |
ENC 1905 |
SAT Critical Reading
ACT Reading |
0–480
0–18 |
REA 1905 |
SAT Mathematics
ACT Mathematics
CLT, Classic Learning Initiatives Quantitative Reasoning |
0–470
0–18
0-15 |
MAT 1033 or MGF 1130/1131 with support lab |
Second Majors and Academic Regulations
Students pursuing a second, or additional, major should be aware that the primary major only determines the selection of the student's academic dean for the purposes of academic regulations at Florida State University. That is, rules regarding student dismissal, reinstatement, and all general academic qualifications at the University are governed and enforced by the primary major and that major's corresponding academic dean. Conflicts between primary and secondary major policies shall in all cases be resolved in favor of the primary major. Second major academic deans shall only be concerned with the student's completion of all requirements, prerequisites, etc., for that second major.
Students pursuing two or more majors are advised that the degree earned, posted on the transcript, and appearing on the diploma will be the official degree name associated with the primary major. Major name(s) are not printed on diplomas and only appear on the academic transcript. When declaring a second major, students should consult with their academic advisor to determine which major is primary as this will determine the academic dean, the degree requirements that must be satisfied, and the degree name that will appear on the diploma.
Dual degrees and double majors must be declared by the end of the semester in which students will earn 90 cumulative credit hours toward their degree program at Florida State University.
In special circumstances, students may petition their primary academic dean for an exception. Petitions should document the students plan to graduate within four years at Florida State University. Special consideration will be given to consider accelerated credit earned while in high school. If a dual degree or double major is declared but not completed, students will not be eligible for a refund of excess credit charges accrued while working on their dual degree or double major.
Approval of Directed Individual Study Courses
Students may enroll in courses directed by an instructor for individual study of a particular area. Individual academic departments or programs determine directed individual study policies for students taking directed individual study courses in that department or program. The directed individual study course title must be approved in writing by the instructor offering the course and the departmental chair, or representative, and is posted on the student's record.
Guidelines for Field Placement Fitness
These guidelines apply to all student field-placements, including internships, practicum experiences, and student teaching. The University has the authority to determine both the fitness of its students to be placed in field placements and the suitability of particular field placement sites. The academic judgment of qualified faculty, on issues relevant to the professional requirements of a given field, is critical to this process.
Students may either be denied a field placement or removed from a placement on the basis of the academic judgment of qualified faculty. Students have the right to be informed of the academic and non-academic requirements for obtaining a field placement early in their majors. They also have the right, except in emergency cases, to receive notice of their deficiencies and an opportunity to correct those deficiencies prior to a final decision. Students should consult the information provided by each specific college, department, or academic program of interest for more detailed information.
Health Requirements
Health-Insurance
All full-time students at Florida State University must show proof of health insurance coverage. Additionally, all non-United States citizens in F or J status, regardless of their credit load, are required to show proof of health insurance as a condition of their admission to the University. You may elect the student health insurance plan or waive the insurance requirement by providing proof of comparable coverage through the student-insurance website at http://studentinsurance.fsu.edu. When the insurance waiver is successfully completed, it remains in effect for three semesters. Students that purchase semester only policies will be required to elect or waive the requirement at the end of the semester in which their policy expires.
If no action is taken, the student will automatically be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Policy and the premium will be added to their student account.
Students seeking degrees in majors where they are exposed to hazards associated with the major are required to carry health and accident insurance prior to registration every Fall.
Note: The insurance purchase clears the student for the length of the coverage purchased. You can purchase insurance for annual coverage, for Fall term only, or for the Spring/Summer terms. No Spring-only coverage option is offered. Summer-only coverage is offered for full-time students taking classes during the Summer term.
Immunization
The State Board of Education requires all entering students born on or after 1/1/1957 to complete Florida State University's Student Immunization Record and show documented proof of immunization against measles (rubeola), German measles (rubella), and mumps prior to registration.
College-age individuals living in residence halls, shared apartments, and other group housing are at an increased risk for developing meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B—serious infections that can have devastating consequences. State of Florida law mandates that all University students be informed of the risks of infection. Students currently enrolled must either be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B or sign a waiver stating that they have declined to receive the vaccine.
All students are required to show proof of two MMRs, meningococcal meningitis, and hepatitis B vaccinations before they are permitted to register for classes. Information about these vaccinations may be obtained at University Health Services or online at https://studentinsurance.fsu.edu/ under the Immunization Requirements tab.
All students are required to complete and submit the Student Immunization Record to University Health Services before registration. Students born before 1/1/1957 must complete the form and decline the meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B vaccines. The form with its specific instructions is available at http://studentinsurance.fsu.edu. Please call (850) 644-3608 if you need assistance.
Health Insurance Questions
Questions about basic health insurance coverage or purchasing school-sponsored health insurance can be addressed to the Health Compliance Office at healthcompliance@fsu.edu or (850) 644-3608. Questions about specific benefits included in the school-sponsored health insurance should be addressed directly to United HealthCare Student Resources, the University's health insurance carrier, at (800) 767-0700. Billing questions for services rendered at University Health Services should be addressed to the billing office at (850) 644-5453. The plan brochures and summaries of coverage and benefits for the student health plans are posted on the United HealthCare website (http://uhcsr.com/fsu). The student health plan does not cover participation in intercollegiate athletics. Contact the FSU Athletics department at (850) 645-2700 for more information for insurance for athletes. The student health plan does cover cheerleaders and members of the Golden Girls as sports club members.
Students insured by other carriers should contact their carriers for policy limitations and special requirements.
Registration
During each academic term, an official registration window is established for all currently enrolled, degree-seeking students who expect to enroll for the following semester. Students registering for their first semester do so during their orientation. Please note that by registering, students accept both fee and grade liability. Students are advised to organize their materials and plan their schedule before attempting to register online. Class listings for an upcoming term will be available one-to-two weeks prior to the first enrollment appointment for that term. Students must contact the appropriate departmental office for any clearances or authorization needed. Individual instructors should be contacted for courses requiring instructor permission. It is important to take care of any academic or administrative hold (stop) before attempting to register.
Student Course Load
Florida State University regards 14- to 15-credit hours as a normal, full-time course load. Students who carry fewer than 12 credit hours are not considered to be full-time students. Students should also consider the University requirement to complete nine credit hours during summer sessions when calculating their pace to degree completion. A student who maintains below a 12 credit hour course load will not graduate in four academic years unless a total of 24 credit hours is taken during summer sessions. (See Required Summer Attendance Policy below.)
A course load of more than 18 credit hours or less than 12 credit hours must be approved by the academic dean, and in no case may a student register for or receive credit for more than 21 credit hours. A student on academic probation must enroll for no fewer than 12 credit hours and no more than 15 letter-graded credit hours. Non-degree-seeking students are not required to obtain an underload permit.
International undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credit hours during each of the fall and spring semesters to maintain legal immigration status. An international student advisor may authorize a reduced course load in certain circumstances. Students who want to enroll in a reduced course load for a given term must submit a request for authorization to an advisor at the Center for Global Engagement before the end of the drop/add period for that semester. An unauthorized reduction in course load may result in serious immigration consequences. For a complete definition of the full course of study for immigration purposes, and to access the reduced course load information and request forms, please refer to https://cge.fsu.edu.
For graduate students, the minimum number of hours allowed is nine credit hours per term and the maximum is 15 credit hours per term. See the Graduate Bulletin for policies regarding course loads for graduate students.
Course/Credit Modification
Course credit may be modified downward with the approval of the chair of the department that is offering the course and the appropriate academic dean. No course may be modified upward. Any student wishing to modify credit may obtain the necessary forms in the Office of the University Registrar.
Permission for Undergraduate Students to Register for Graduate Courses
A student of senior standing or an upper-division honors student may carry graduate courses for undergraduate credit provided the student: (1) has earned either an FSU grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0; (2) carries a course load of no more than 15 credit hours; and (3) has the advance approval of the college dean, the department chair, and the instructor offering the course. Prior to registration, students will be required to present the college and/or departmental approval to the Office of the University Registrar. Staff in the Registrar's Office will complete the registration process for the student.
Students who wish to receive graduate credit for such coursework must obtain approval of the college dean, the department chair, and the instructor offering the course prior to registration for the graduate course. After approval, up to 12 credit hours may be counted toward a graduate degree at Florida State University, provided the course has not been counted toward a previous degree. Undergraduate students who have been approved to participate in the combined bachelor's/master's pathways may work with their academic advisors to designate up to 12 credit hours as “shared” hours. Shared hours may count toward the undergraduate degree and the approved master's degree. Students must coordinate with an academic advisor to have their records updated to reflect approval to participate in a combined degree pathway.
The Registration Process
Ensure that you have completed all the items listed under the “Prior to Registration” section above.
Step 1: Prepare for Registration:
- If you are an undergraduate student, review your degree requirements using Schedule Planner's “Undergraduate Degree Progress” tool. Contact your advisor if you have any questions about your requirements in Degree Progress. Students are also encouraged to use the “Schedule Assistant” tool. This tool allows you to find, view, and select from a variety of schedule options. Alternately, you use the Class Search feature, too. Information on how to use Undergraduate Degree Progress Schedule Assistant, and Class Search tools can be found in the “How-To Videos” tile of your FSU Student Homepage.
- Consult the General Bulletin or Graduate Bulletin to check if a class requires a laboratory or has pre- or co-requisites that you must complete prior to enrolling in the class. The system does not check for these requirements; students are responsible for ensuring they have completed all the necessary labs/requisites before enrolling in classes with these requirements.
- Search for alternate classes as well.
- Make sure you have met the immunization- and health-insurance compliance requirements noted above.
Step 2: Register through the myFSU Portal:
- You can use the myFSU portal to register for, drop, or add classes at any time during the enrollment appointment assigned to you. Your enrollment appointment is determined by the number of credit hours you have earned toward graduation. You cannot register after the ending date of your assigned enrollment appointment.
- Be prepared to request non-primetime class sections to complete your schedule. Be persistent; the effort you spend during registration will save you a great deal of time and effort during the drop/add period.
- The system does not allow you to register for more than 18-credit hours. Your academic dean can provide overload authorization. To register for overload hours, you must go to the Office of the University Registrar. See the “Student Course Load” section of this chapter.
- The system allows you to register for an underload, but you still must obtain authorization from your academic dean. Remember, if you register for an underload as a domestic student, you may request exemption from the health-insurance requirement from the Health Compliance Office. Students enrolling for at least three-credit hours may purchase the student health insurance on a voluntary basis.
Step 3: Pay Tuition:
- Tuition must be paid by the posted deadline at https://studentfinance.fsu.edu. Visit http://my.fsu.edu for account status and fee-payment options.
Stops to Registration
A student cannot register if they have not fulfilled all their academic and/or administrative requirements prior to the term. A stop may be placed on the student's record if any of the following deficiencies exist:
- academic dismissal
- incomplete admissions documents
- fiscal deficiency
- failure to process readmission papers after a withdrawal, or
- failure to process readmission papers after a three-term absence (including the summer term) from the University (undergraduate and non-degree seeking students).
Also, failure to meet specific requirements of a University college, school, or department, or the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, may result in a stop in registration activities, the release of transcripts, or the release of diplomas.
A stop is placed on all students who have outstanding University charges. Students who owe any fees cannot register for classes, and they are not permitted to register until the debt is cleared.
Students notified of a stop should contact the notifying office immediately to arrange for removal so they can register for classes, receive official transcripts, and/or receive a diploma.
If students with a stop on their record are allowed to register in error, they are considered illegally enrolled in the University. If the stop is not removed after notification of such an error, the student's registration is subject to cancellation.
For additional information, see the section in this chapter below titled “Cancellation-of-Schedule Policies.”
Registration/Enrollment by Student Categories
Registration of Non-Degree Seeking Students
All non-degree-seeking students may register for up to 18-credit hours; enrollment beyond this limit may be subject to approval by the Registrar. All registration by non-degree-seeking students is on a space-available basis. Because of excessive demand for some undergraduate and graduate classes, non-degree-seeking students may be enrolled in such classes only with the permission of the unit.
Non-Degree-Seeking Student Regulations
The Office of the University Registrar serves as the academic dean for all non-degree-seeking students. Academic rules governing regular students (e.g., fees, drop/add, withdrawal, grading policies) also apply to non-degree-seeking students with the following exceptions:
- Non-degree-seeking students may enroll for fewer than 12-credit hours (underload) and up to 18-credit hours without permission.
- Non-degree-seeking students may register for any class or classes on an S/U basis.
- Non-degree-seeking students selecting classes for enrichment or other reasons where grades are not essential are advised to register on an S/U basis or on an audit basis. in this Bulletin.
- In place of the retention schedule for regular students, non-degree-seeking students without a baccalaureate degree must meet the following requirement:
- after attempting 15 credit hours, non-degree-seeking students must have achieved and maintained a 2.0 (“C”). average in all courses attempted.
- In place of the retention schedule for regular students, non-degree-seeking students with a baccalaureate degree must meet the following requirements:
- after attempting 12 credit hours, non-degree-seeking students with a baccalaureate must have achieved and maintained a 3.0 (“B”) average in all courses attempted. Failure to achieve or maintain the appropriate grade point average (GPA) will result in a loss of registration privileges and dismissal from the University.
Consult the “Academic Regulations and Procedures” chapter of the Graduate Bulletin for policies relating to non-degree-seeking student status at the graduate level.
Veterans Priority Registration
Active-military students, student veterans, and military/veteran dependents using federal benefits are eligible for priority registration, which allows these students to register for future-semester class during the first selection window of each class-registration cycle. However, each of these students must first be coded as receiving federal benefits before they are eligible for priority registration and should contact the Student Veterans Center at (850) 644-9562 or veteran@admin.fsu.edu to make sure they are properly coded. After registering for their classes, each of these students must submit the university's online Request for Benefits form to have their benefit-certification documents submitted within the required timeframe.
Military Short-Term Absence or Call to Active Duty
For policies pertaining to accommodations for short-term absence of call to active duty, please see the “Student Veteran Information” chapter.
Interinstitutional Transient-Student Registration
This program enables students to take advantage of special resources and/or programs not available at their home institution. An interinstitutional transient student, by mutual agreement of the appropriate academic authorities in both the sponsoring and hosting institution, will receive a waiver of admission requirements of the host institution and a guarantee of acceptance of earned resident credits by the sponsoring institution except in the case of international credits. An official course-by-course evaluation is required for all academic records from non-U.S. institutions. We recommend the evaluation be done by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (https://www.naces.org).
Interinstitutional transient students must be recommended by their own academic dean, who will initiate a visiting arrangement with the appropriate dean at the host institution. Students will register at the host institution, paying tuition and/or registration fees established by that institution. The approval of one institution does not bind the other to comply.
Students from other institutions who wish to take courses at Florida State University should submit an approved Interinstitutional Transient Student application to the Office of Admissions by the published deadline. (Consult the “University Calendar” chapter for specific application deadlines.) Students may complete the transient form online at https://www.floridashines.org.
Note: Academic rules governing regular students (e.g., fees, drop/add, withdrawal, grading policies) also apply to transient students. Transient students attending Florida State University are, by definition, classified as non-degree-seeking students.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University–Florida State University Interinstitutional Registration (FAMU–FSU Cooperative Program)
A full-time student at one institution may enroll in one or more courses at the other institution under the following conditions:
- The academic dean of the student's home university must grant permission.
- Courses taken at the host university should be those normally not offered at the student's home university.
- Students taking courses at the host university on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis will be held to the home institution's policies regarding the total number of courses allowed on S/U basis or in a specific degree or major. Students are encouraged to consult their academic advisor about any limitations prior to registration.
- The student's final grade is directly reported to the student's home university for entering on the student's transcript. Grades, credits, and quality points are treated as home-institution work.
- All tuition and fees are paid to the home institution.
- Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative Florida State University GPA to be eligible to participate in the co-op program. Prior to attempting 12 credit hours, students who fail to maintain the 2.0 GPA may consider themselves on probation, although no entry will be placed on their transcript. They may continue to enroll, assuming they meet all other conditions of eligibility. After attempting 12 credit hours, students must meet and maintain the minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA to continue enrolling through the program.
To register, see the FAMU–FSU Cooperative Program representative in the Office of the University Registrar. You may also obtain additional information and forms at https://registrar.fsu.edu/records/services/co-op. For engineering requirements, see the “FAMU–FSU College of Engineering” chapter of this General Bulletin.
Before students can register for classes, they must provide proof of immunizations. Immunization compliance requirements are listed at https://uhs.fsu.edu/. If the immunization document being submitted is the FAMU immunization form, two copies of the form are required.
Note: Faculty and full-time students at either institution have equal access to the library facilities at both institutions.
Registration for FSU Employees
Employees of Florida State University intending to take Florida State University classes may do so through the FSU Employee Scholarship program. See the Human Resources website at http://www.hr.fsu.edu/index.cfm?page=benefits/benefits_perks/benefits_perks_employee_scholarship for details, restrictions, and deadlines.
Registration by State Employee Tuition Waiver
Full-time state employees may use the State Employee Tuition Waiver to register for classes at Florida State University on a space-available basis. Registration takes place during the regular registration appointment assigned to each student. FSU accepts only the official State Employee Tuition Waiver Form to process waivers. Individuals using the waiver must be fully admitted degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students. The form is available online at https://registrar.fsu.edu/records/waivers/state-employee. Agencies may require additional paperwork or forms that will not be accepted at FSU unless accompanied by the State Employee Tuition Waiver Form. State employees using a tuition waiver must obtain supervisor signatures and academic-department approval on the tuition waiver form and then scan and e-mail the signed and completed document to CTL-StateEmployee@fsu.edu by the tuition payment deadline. State employees using a tuition waiver must complete the registration process and submit the tuition waiver to the Office of Student Finance.
Registration in classes using the state employee tuition waiver is limited to a space-available basis. Individuals using the state tuition waiver must be fully admitted, degree-seeking or non-degree students. Florida State University does not consider the following to be space-available classes: audited classes, approved undergraduate specialized admissions programs, remedial classes; dissertation, thesis, and directed individual study (DIS) classes; internship classes; Center for Academic and Professional Development (CAPD) classes; College of Medicine classes; College of Law classes; other one-to-one instruction classes; and all non-state-funded classes (including some distance learning classes that are funded solely by student tuition and fees). As such, state employee tuition waivers may not be used for these classes. Please contact the academic department to inquire about a class's funding type.
Additional restrictions and deadlines apply. For more information, including the link to download the State Employee Tuition Waiver Form, visit the Office of the University Registrar's website at http://registrar.fsu.edu/records/services.
Registering for Auditor Seating Privileges
All regularly enrolled students and persons not enrolled in the University are afforded seating privileges after registration on a space-available basis with permission of the instructor, presentation and approval of the appropriate form obtained from the Office of the University Registrar, and payment of the prescribed fee for each class. The Office of the University Registrar serves as the academic dean for all non-degree students, including those individuals enrolling in classes on an audit basis. Since no credit is allowed for attendance via auditor seating privilege, formal admission to the University is not required; however, minimal demographic data must be provided as part of the approval and enrollment process. The class(es) taken will not appear on the student's permanent record.
Students are cautioned not to pre-register for any class they intend to audit. They will have to drop the class(es) from their official schedule and will incur additional financial liability.
Note: Standard tuition costs apply. All individuals auditing classes may register for up to 18-credit hours; enrollment beyond this limit in a single term is not permitted. Seating-privilege fee-information for citizens 60 years of age or older is found below under “Registration for Floridians over 60 Years of Age.”
Procedures
During the first week of classes, obtain the audit approval form online at http://registrar.fsu.edu/forms/audit_registration.pdf, or you may pick up an audit approval form from the Office of the University Registrar.
- Fill out the form and obtain both the instructor's approval and clearance from University Health Services.
- Return the approved form to the Office of the University Registrar for final approval and class registration. Registration must be completed to attend a class.
- Pay fees during the fee payment period at A1500 University Center. No waivers or deferments may be used by anyone under 60 years of age.
- Present the form to your instructor at the next class meeting.
Note: If you have already registered for the class you wish to audit, you must drop it within the drop/add period before the audit request can be processed. For the policy for audited-class refunds please refer to the “Financial Information” chapter of this Bulletin.
Registration for Floridians over 60 Years of Age
All fees are waived for persons sixty years of age or older who are Florida residents and who attend credit classes. Under this tuition-free option, registration is allowed on a space-available, audit-basis only and does not include thesis, dissertation, applied music classes, or other classes requiring individual instruction. No credit will be given, and no permanent record will be maintained. Audit forms are available online or from the Office of the University Registrar. Proof of age and Florida residency must be presented to the Office of the University Registrar to validate audit-waiver eligibility.
Drop/Add, Schedule Changes, or Cancellation of Schedule
Drop/Add
During the first four days of the term, students can add or drop individual classes, or they may change one class section for another. Students are financially liable for all courses appearing on their schedule after the fourth day of classes. To add courses after the first four days of classes may require the academic dean's approval. Classes dropped during this period do not appear on the student's transcript. Individual courses may be dropped through the seventh week of classes except for mandated college preparatory courses, freshman composition, and courses involved in allegations of academic dishonesty; however, tuition charges remain. Approval by the student's academic dean is required to:
- reduce the academic load below12 credit hours;
- increase an undergraduate academic load above 18 credit hours (to a maximum of 21 credit hours); or
- increase a graduate academic load above 15 credit hours (to a maximum of 21 credit hours).
Dean's approval for an overload or underload must be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar. If the student is appointed as a graduate assistant or is supported on a fellowship, an underload request form mut be completed and submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval.
A cumulative maximum of two courses may be dropped between the eighth and twelfth weeks of classes during the semesters in which the student has earned fewer than 60 hours of college credit; tuition charges will remain. A student may only drop one course after earning 60 hours of college credit and until graduation; tuition charges remain. In addition to courses involved in allegations of academic dishonesty, other courses may be designated by the dean as not subject to this “late drop” provision. Courses dropped during this period appear on the student's transcript with the notation “W.” See the “Academic Calendar” in the Registration Guide for the semester specific deadlines.
Except in cases where a student is petitioning to use one of the three drops allowed under the policy above, any course-drop petition after the seventh week of classes (with dates prorated for individual summer sessions), will be considered only in documented exceptional circumstances that are beyond the student's control as determined by the student's academic dean. Course drops approved by the academic deans appear on the student's transcript with the notation “WD.” Academic deans exercise their administrative and academic judgment in making final determinations about drop eligibility. Course drops are never approved when there are unresolved allegations of academic dishonesty in a course or when a course grade reflects an Academic Honor Policy penalty.
Students who register for courses but who do not attend the classes receive a grade of “F” if the courses are not officially dropped. Students changing from a previous Bulletin year should consult their academic dean regarding limitations concerning the policy described above.
Note: Students who have a bachelor's degree and return for a second bachelor's degree may petition for a late drop within the same semester timelines as noted above.
Forgiveness Policy
Effective Fall 2004, Florida State University discontinued the “forgiveness policy” for all students.
Policies for Cancellation of Student Schedules
Student Cancellation of Schedule
To cancel scheduled class enrollment, a student can drop all classes during the first four days (the drop/add period) of any term; any semester; or in the case of summer term, any session, through the online student portal. Alternately, students can submit a written request to the Office of the University Registrar (Office of the University Registrar, Florida State University, Room A3900 UCA, 282 Champions Way,
P.O. Box 3062480, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2480) or to Withdrawal Services. Notification may also be sent from the student's official e-mail account to Office of the University Registrar at registrar@fsu.edu. Students who cancel their registration during the official drop/add period are not fee liable for tuition; if tuition has been paid, such students should request a full refund of fees. Undergraduate and non-degree-seeking students who cancel their registration and are not enrolled for the following two semesters (non-enrollment for three consecutive semesters) must apply for readmission.
Beyond the fourth day of classes, a student cannot voluntarily cancel registration but must apply for withdrawal from the University. Students who must drop all classes after the official drop/add period should contact Withdrawal Services, A4300 University Center Tallahassee, FL 32306; (850) 644-1741. Panama City students should contact Student Affairs, Barron Building, Panama City, FL 32405; (850) 770-2172.
International students who wish to cancel their registration or withdraw from the term must request and receive prior authorization from a Center for Global Engagement advisor.
Note: Students who have received some or all financial aid prior to the end of a term's drop/add period may be subject to repayment of financial aid if there is a change in their financial aid eligibility. Examples of this may include, but are not limited to, reduction of course load below required levels, cancellation of schedule, failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements, and other conditions required to maintain financial aid eligibility.
Registrar Cancellation of Schedule
Students allowed to register in error are cancelled by the Office of the University Registrar.
Students who are dropped or deleted from their last or only course by an academic department because of nonattendance on the first day of class are cancelled by the Office of the University Registrar. This cancellation is without liability for tuition. Undergraduate and non-degree-seeking students whose registration is cancelled by the University Registrar must apply for readmission if they have not been enrolled for three consecutive terms. For this policy, the cancellation term is considered a non-enrolled term for the student.
Graduate, law, and medical students whose registration is cancelled by the University Registrar must apply for readmission if they have not been enrolled for two consecutive terms. For this policy, the cancellation term is considered a term of non-enrollment.
Note: Students who have received some or all their financial aid prior to the end of drop/add for a term, may be subject to repayment of financial aid if there is a change in their financial aid eligibility. Examples of this may include, but are not limited to, reduction of course load below required levels, cancellation of schedule, failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements, and other conditions required to maintain financial aid eligibility.
Cancellation of Student Schedules for Non-Payment of Tuition and Fees
In accordance with Florida State University Regulation 5.081 Tuition, Fees, Payment, students who do not pay tuition and fees or make arrangements to pay tuition and fees by the end of the established fee payment deadline may have their schedules cancelled and academic progress discontinued for the semester. Student's whose schedules have been cancelled may not attend class or receive grades. Students will be notified using their FSU e-mail account concerning outstanding tuition delinquencies and given an opportunity to pay tuition and fees or make arrangements for tuition and fee payment with the Office of Student Finance prior to cancellation. For more information, please reference https://regulations.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/imported/storage/original/application/f63ce880bfa04fa18f1d2103e0fd4ec9.pdf.
Reinstatement of Student Schedules Cancelled for Non-Payment of Tuition and Fees
Students whose schedules are cancelled for non-payment of tuition and fees may submit a written appeal to the University Registrar for reinstatement and continuation of academic progress for the term. A written appeal must be submitted to the University Registrar no later than the end of the seventh week of classes as identified in the University Academic Calendar (consult the Registration Guide for term deadlines). Prior to a student's appeal being approved, the Office of Student Finance must verify that payment for the current term has been received or that appropriate arrangements have been made for tuition and fee payment. Students whose schedules are reinstated are subject to a $100.00 late-registration fee and a $100.00 late-payment fee. Check or credit card payments that are returned or refused will negate any tuition payment agreement for the reinstatement of a student's schedule. The University reserves the right to deny reinstatement when a demonstrated pattern of tuition delinquencies over two or more semesters has occurred.
Note: The appeal must be submitted by the seventh-week deadline for the term that was cancelled. Appeals received during the next term for a prior term's cancellation will be deemed to have missed the deadline and may not be considered.
Cancellation of Student Health Insurance
Cancellation of a student's full class schedule does not trigger the termination of the insurance policy or the premium. The student must contact the Health Compliance Office of University Health Services via e-mail at healthcompliance@fsu.edu to advise of the cancellation of schedule and request termination of the insurance. If the student has attended the first 31 calendar days of classes for the term for which coverage was purchased, the student has met the eligibility requirement to retain the coverage through the termination date and the cost of the insurance premium must be paid. Students leaving the University to enter the military may receive a prorated premium refund. The student must contact the Health Compliance Office of University Health Services via e-mail at healthcompliance@fsu.edu.
After Registration—Class Attendance, Grades, and Transcripts
Attendance and Enrollment Policies
Required First Class Meeting Attendance Policy
Attendance at the first class meeting is mandatory unless properly excused by the class's instructor. University-wide policy requires all students to attend the first class meeting of all classes for which they are registered. Students who do not attend the first class meeting of a class for which they are registered will be dropped from the class by the academic department that offers the class. This policy applies to all levels of classes and to all campuses and study centers. This policy does not apply to any class added after its first official meeting. It remains the student's responsibility to verify class drops and check that fees are adjusted.
Note: Students who have received some or all their financial aid prior to the end of the drop/add period for a term may be subject to repayment of financial aid if there is a change in their financial aid eligibility. Examples of this may include, but are not limited to, reduction of class load below required levels, cancellation of schedule, failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements, and other conditions required to maintain financial aid eligibility.
Required Summer Attendance Policy
All students entering a state university with fewer than 60-credit hours must earn at least nine-credit hours prior to graduation by attending one or more Summer terms at one of the state universities. The University President may waive application of this rule in cases of unusual hardship to the student. Students initiate appeal through their academic dean to the Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement (Board of Governors Rule 6C-6.016). Waiver-appeals may be initiated electronically when the student reaches 80-credit hours or more.
General Class Attendance
All students are expected to abide by the class attendance policy set forth by the instructor in each class in accordance with the Faculty Handbook. When possible, students also must provide advance notice of absences, as well as relevant documentation regarding absences, to the instructor as soon as possible following the illness or event that led to the absence. Any arrangement to make up work because of class absence is the responsibility of the student. The instructor, who will explain the evaluation (grading) statement at the beginning of the term, determines the effect of absences upon grades.
Students must attend the section of the course for which they are registered. No instructor has the authority to permit a student to shift from one section of the course to another without following official drop/add procedures. No student may drop a course after the seventh week of classes without the permission of his or her academic dean.
Until a student is officially enrolled in a course, they are not permitted to attend class, submit assignments, or take tests. Exceptions are limited to students auditing the course or making up work for a prior incomplete grade in the course. Students who are not officially registered for a course or do not appear on the course roster after the end of the second week of the semester should be referred to the appropriate office for approval to continue attending class. That may be the Office of Financial Aid, Student Finance, the Office of the University Registrar, the Office of Admissions, etc. Students may contact the Office of the University Registrar if they are unsure of which office they need to contact for documentation.
University Health Services will issue “Provider Visit Verifications” to students if requested. Such verification may include, at the discretion of the medical provider (Physician, PA, APRN, LCSW, or Physical Therapist), recommendations about bed rest, restricted activity, and follow-ups. Students who need notes for class excuses will be unable to obtain them from University Health Services if they have not been seen by a provider at UHS. Ultimately, the authority for deciding whether the student is excused for medical reasons rests with the instructor.
Students who are members of an intercollegiate team are required to attend all scheduled class meeting times or scheduled online activities associated with the course delivery. Absences due to illness, personal/family emergencies, or injury must be documented. Failure to adhere to the attendance policy may result in sanctions up to and including suspension from the athlete's sport for the remainder of the season. Student-athletes must remain eligible to enroll in order to maintain eligibility for all intercollegiate competition. Arranging to make up work missed because of legitimate class absence is the responsibility of the student.
Within the University there are several categories of students that are expected to exhibit behavior that conforms to the group to which they belong. These units include, but are not limited to: ROTC cadets, academic honor societies, veterans, athletes, medicine, and nursing majors. Membership within these units implies that the student agrees to fulfill the obligations of the organization.
Continuous Enrollment
Continuous enrollment at Florida State University is defined as enrollment without an interruption of three or more consecutive semesters (including summer term). Credits earned at other institutions during any semester while not registered at Florida State University will not constitute continuous enrollment at the University. Undergraduates and both types of non-degree-seeking students, excluding transient and high school dual enrollment students, who are not enrolled at the University for three or more consecutive semesters (or consecutive semester and summer semester) must apply for readmission before resuming their studies. For graduate definitions of continuous enrollment, please see the “Academic Regulations and Procedures” section of the Graduate Bulletin.
For example, a student who enrolls in fall term may choose; not to enroll in subsequent spring and summer terms and return to take class in the following fall term without having to go through readmission. However, should this student choose to remain out of school for the spring, summer, and fall terms, readmission will be required prior to being allowed to enroll in any additional terms.
Any break in continuous enrollment requiring readmission or reinstatement may cause the student to be subject to legislative Excess Credit policies and fees. For more information on Excess Credit fees, refer to the “Financial Information” chapter of the General Bulletin.
Readmission
Please refer to the “Admissions” chapter in this General Bulletin for readmission policies for returning students who have not been dismissed.
Grading Practices
At the end of each term, student's grades are made available at https://my.fsu.edu.
Once a final grade in a course has been reported by the instructor to the Office of the University Registrar, it cannot be changed by the instructor except in cases of error in recording with permission of the department chair and the dean of the college, or because of a final determination from a formal grade appeal.
The University will not automatically expire “I” grades earned prior to fall term 2010 or “NG” grades earned for any semester. Students must work with faculty and academic deans to resolve any outstanding “I” or “NG” grades prior to graduation. Outstanding “I” or “NG” grades that are not resolved prior to the degree posting will not be changed except in cases of error in recording. Faculty and academic deans reserve the right to expire an “I” or “NG grade to “IE” or “GE” respectively. These grades are considered final grades and will calculate as an “F” in the student's overall GPA. In cases where the “I” or “NG” grade was earned in a course approved for numeric grades or “S/U”, the grade will expire to the lowest possible value, generally a 60 or “U”. Grades of “I” are not assigned to any courses if a student withdraws from the University. A grade of “I” or “NG” in a course that is approved for “S/U” or numeric grades will follow the same grading and expiration policy.
Grades earned at another institution cannot be used to improve a grade point average or eliminate a quality point deficiency at Florida State University.
Grading System
Definition | Grade | Quality Points Per Credit Hour |
Excellent | A+ | 4.33 (Law only) |
A | 4.00 | |
A– | 3.75 | |
A– | 3.67 (Law only) | |
Good | B+ | 3.33 (Law only) |
B+ | 3.25 | |
B | 3.00 | |
B– | 2.75 | |
B– | 2.67 (Law only) | |
Average | C+ | 2.33 (Law only) |
C+ | 2.25 | |
C | 2.00 | |
C– | 1.75 | |
C– | 1.67 (Law only) | |
Poor | D+ | 1.33 (Law only) |
D+ | 1.25 | |
D | 1.00 | |
D– | 0.75 | |
D– | 0.67 (Law only) | |
Failure | F | 0.00 |
Honors Medicine | HM | 4.00 |
Pass Medicine | PM | 3.00 |
Administrative Failure Law | AF | N/A |
Administrative Disenrollment Law | AD | N/A |
Pass | P | N/A |
Satisfactory | S | N/A |
Unsatisfactory | U | N/A |
Incomplete | I | N/A |
Incomplete Expired | IE | 0.00 |
No Grade Received from Instructor | NG | N/A |
No Grade Expired | GE | 0.00 |
Withdrawn while Passing | W | N/A |
Withdrawn with Dean's Permission | WD | N/A |
Examination Credit | EC | N/A |
Departmental Examination | ED | N/A |
Grade Point Average
Florida State University reports three types of grade point averages (GPAs) on the transcript: 1) semester (or FSU Cumulative) GPA; 2) transfer credit; and 3) combined overall. Quality points are assigned for each semester hour as listed above. In computation of the required grade point average for retention and conferral of a degree, the total number of quality points is divided by the total number of credit hours for which letter grades are received. A student will not be allowed additional credit in subsequent attempts unless the course is specifically designated as repeatable to allow additional credit.
All regulations tied to a specific grade average should be interpreted to mean the numerical average associated with that specific grade. Hence, the required “'C' average or better” on all General Education courses is interpreted as “2.0 average or better.”
Students may repeat courses in which they received a grade of “D” or “F.” Both the original and repeat grades will be used in the computation of GPA but credit for only one attempt will apply toward graduation.
A student will not be allowed additional credit for a course repeated in which the student originally made a “C–” or better unless the course is specifically designated as repeatable to allow additional credit. Repeatable courses may be taken to a maximum number of times or hours as spelled out in the course description. Course enrollment beyond these limits may not be counted towards the student's earned credit hours. Should a student enroll in a non-repeatable course, the quality points associated with the subsequent enrollment will be calculated into the FSU cumulative GPA.
Dean's List
Undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 credit hours of letter-graded courses (A–F) are eligible for the dean's list. The required grade point average is 3.5, in all colleges, for any given semester.
President's List
Undergraduate students who are registered for at least twelve credit hours of letter-graded courses (A–F) are eligible for the president's list. The required grade point average is 4.0, in all colleges, for any given term.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading
- Undergraduate Courses Approved on a Letter-Grade Basis
To encourage liberal arts education and focus on learning, the University permits limited enrollment in elective courses outside the major, minor, and CoreFSU Curriculum areas on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Except for students in their first term at FSU, at least a 2.5 grade point average is required. S/U permit forms must be obtained and eligibility certified by the Office of the University Registrar no later than the end of the seventh week of classes. No undergraduate courses in the College of Business are offered under this option.
Except for courses in the College of Business, a course outside a student's major, minor, and CoreFSU Curriculum areas normally approved for letter grades may be elected on the S/U basis and, if completed with an “S” grade, will count toward the minimum credit hours required for graduation and upper-division distribution but will not be included in the grade point average. The course grade will be recorded officially as satisfactory (“S”) or unsatisfactory (“U”). Registration on an S/U basis is limited to one elective course per term (exclusive of physical education activity courses) and to a maximum total of 18 credit hours. (See exceptions under section B below.)
In addition to the one elective course, a student may elect to take concurrently a physical education course to be graded on the S/U basis by obtaining proper approvals prior to registration.
Students will be allowed seven weeks to decide whether they want to take a course on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. They may change to S/U from a letter grade at any time before the end of the seventh week of the term. Courses initially elected on the S/U basis may be changed back to a letter-grade basis prior to the end of the seventh week of the term or the equivalent prorated summer deadline.
Approval forms are available at https://registrar.fsu.edu/forms.
- Courses Approved on an S/U Basis
Certain other courses that are approved for S/U grades exclusively (practicum, internship, laboratory, student teaching, individual work, research) may be applied toward the major or minor. There is no student letter-grade option for courses approved on the S/U basis; all students must be graded on an S/U basis. The credits earned in these courses are excluded from the total stipulated in section A (above) as permissible. Also, enrollment in a course offered on the S/U basis only does not exclude enrollment in an elective course under the S/U option (in section A above) in the same semester.
- Graduate Students
Policies and procedures for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades for graduate students are explained in the Graduate Bulletin.
Incomplete Grade Policy
Incomplete (“I”) grades should be recorded only in exceptional cases when a student, who has completed a substantial portion of the course and who is otherwise passing, is unable to complete a well-defined portion of a course for reasons beyond the student's control. Students in these circumstances must petition the instructor and should be prepared to present documentation that substantiates their case. Incomplete grades should not be granted to allow students to do extra coursework in an effort to increase their grade.
Even under these circumstances, the authority for determining whether to grant an incomplete rests solely with the instructor. A graduate teaching assistant must have approval from a supervising faculty member to grant an incomplete. One exception to this guideline occurs when an incomplete is applied because of allegations of academic dishonesty that have not been resolved by the end of a semester. Deans' offices can often provide guidance to instructors regarding the appropriateness of an incomplete grade in individual cases.
To assign an incomplete, an instructor is required to indicate on the grade roster the time frame for resolution of the grade and the default grade to be assigned if the student does not complete the remaining academic work. Some departments also require that an incomplete grade be documented with an “Incomplete Grade Agreement.” It is the student's responsibility to complete the remaining academic work within the agreed-upon time frame.
Under University policy, an incomplete grade automatically reverts to the predetermined default grade at the end of the semester that has been specified by the instructor as the time frame for resolution, unless one of two conditions is met:
- Upon completion of the agreed-upon work, the instructor submits a grade-change form that replaces the “I” with the final grade for the course;
- The instructor submits a separate “Incomplete Extension of Time” form to the Evaluation and Posting Section of Admissions and Records before the end of the semester in which the “I” is set to expire.
In cases where no default grade or instructor-determined expiration semester exists, incomplete grades will expire to an IE (Incomplete Expired) at the end of the next term of enrollment unless the instructor submits a grade change form prior to the official grade posting deadline. An incomplete grade should not be set as the default grade for an existing incomplete. Furthermore, grades are awarded based on progress of work completed during a set semester/term and as such, a graduate student should not receive several semesters of incomplete grades for thesis, treatise and/or dissertation hours until completion of the defense. No grade changes will be made to default grades or unresolved “I” grades after the degree has been granted. Thus, it is critical that an instructor work closely with the student and department staff regarding the clearance of an incomplete grade.
Grade Changes to Courses Completed Prior to Posted Degree
Once a degree has been awarded, all coursework leading to that degree is considered final and not subject to change. Grade changes or withdrawals for coursework that apply to the awarded degree may be considered only in cases of documented University error or in cases where the courses in question are documented as applying to a degree that is still in progress. Courses that are designated as “shared” between degree programs, such as those used in combined or joint degree pathways may not be changed unless both degrees are still in progress. See the ‘Combined Bachelor's/Master's Pathway, Direct Entry Pathways' section in the “Undergraduate Degree Requirements” chapter of this General Bulletin.
Transcripts
The Office of the University Registrar issues official transcripts upon a student's request. Individuals requiring official transcripts are encouraged to submit their request online at https://my.fsu.edu. In cases where a student is unable to submit an online request, a written request may be made directly to the Transcript Section of the Office of the University Registrar.
Transcript service may be denied if a financial or judicial stop has been placed on a student's record. Clearance from the Controller's Office or the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities must be obtained prior to the release of the transcript. Transcript service may also be denied if the request is made by a third party without the student's written consent.
A charge of $10.00 will be assessed for each official transcript issued.
The University reserves the right to issue transcripts to other state of Florida schools for those students who attend the University under the state transient process. Students are responsible for any transcript fees incurred for providing these transcripts as required by the transient application process. Unofficial transcripts are available to students free of charge.
Academic Standing and Retention Policies
Note: Effective Fall 2020, the following academic standing and retention standards will apply to all current, transfer, or returning undergraduate students.
All students must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress for retention and continued enrollment at Florida State University. Satisfactory academic progress includes, but is not limited to, successful completion of credit hours and progression toward completing a degree. The University reserves the right not to retain students who do not demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.
A minimum Florida State University (FSU) cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (“C”) or better is required for graduation. Students should maintain at least this minimum at all times to be in good standing. There are five academic status categories at FSU: 1) Good Standing; 2) Academic Probation; 3) Academic Probation Continued; 4) Dismissed and 5) Dismissed, Reinstated on Academic Probation. Statuses of “Academic Probation,” “Academic Probation Continued”, or “Dismissed, Reinstated on Academic Probation” do not specifically prohibit a student from participating in extracurricular activities unless otherwise specified by University policy, rules, or by-laws governing the activity or organization.
In any term where a student 1) enrolls in classes having only “S/U” or “P/F” grade types; or 2) completes a full-term withdrawal; or 3) is a graduate student enrolled in undergraduate classes excluded from their GPA, the student will receive no quality points and a 0.00 GPA at the end of that term.
- When a student’s circumstances meet any of the criteria outlined above, under the University’s retention policy the student’s standing in that academic career remains what it was as of their last term of enrollment in that career.
- If a student’s circumstances meet any of the criteria outlined above during their first term of enrollment in the academic career, under the University’s retention policy the student will remain in good academic-standing status.
NOTE: Other criteria, including but not limited to 1) conditional admission; 2) academic degree progression or degree requirements; or 3) additional department or discipline-specific requirements may prevent a student from remaining in good academic standing.
Probation
Any time a student's FSU cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, the student will have a designation of “Academic Probation” placed on their transcript and the student will be placed on academic probation for their next term of enrollment at FSU. A student who has been placed on academic probation must enroll for not less than twelve and not more than fifteen letter-graded semester hours in their next term of enrollment after being placed on academic probation.
If the student fails to remove the probationary status by the end of the probationary term, the student's academic standing will be reassessed. Students who do not return to good academic standing after a semester on academic probation and who earn a term GPA of less than 2.5 will be dismissed from the university. Students on academic probation who do not return to good academic standing but who earn a term GPA of 2.5 or higher at FSU will have their academic standing reflected as “Academic Probation Continued”. A student may be on “Academic Probation Continued” for a maximum of two consecutive terms. Students who have not returned to good academic standing after two consecutive semesters of “Academic Probation Continued” status will be dismissed.
Students who earn less than 2.0 FSU cumulative GPA in their first semester at FSU or who must repeat a required college-level preparatory course will be required to enroll in SLS 1122, Strategies for Academic Success, or SLS 3140, Academic Success Strategies for Transfer Students. These are one credit-hour graded courses designed to help students develop the needed study skills to return to good academic standing. Students will be administratively enrolled in one of these courses during the following semester and are responsible for all tuition, fees, and textbook/supplies.
Students on academic probation who elect to enroll in a Florida public postsecondary institution (or in a regionally accredited institution within or outside the state) and who receive an academic Associate of Arts degree with an overall 2.0 average will have the probationary status and their previous Florida State University average excluded upon application for readmission, and will be guaranteed a maximum of sixty semester hours, with approval of the academic dean.
Dismissal and Reinstatement
Academic dismissal constitutes a separation of the student from the University for academic reasons. The dismissed student must consult his or her academic dean at the time of dismissal about criteria governing possible reinstatement to the University. Students are not eligible for reinstatement after two academic dismissals. Students dismissed because of low grade point averages (GPA) may be reinstated only with approval of the academic dean. Close consultation with the academic dean is required in order to determine if any of the following options are appropriate for a given student and his or her situation:
- Achieving the required minimum FSU GPA through online courses taken in the Flexible Learning Program offered by the State of Florida, Division of Colleges and Universities. Students must meet with their academic dean for approval to take courses in the Flexible Learning Program (correspondence coursework) and to determine the minimum GPA that must be earned in the course(s) to be eligible for reinstatement. Courses taken for this purpose will not earn credit toward the total degree hours. Students taking correspondence coursework are ineligible for financial aid. Grades earned in courses taken through the Flexible Learning Program will be applied to the student's FSU GPA;
- Attending and graduating with an academic Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a Florida public postsecondary institution (or a regionally accredited institution within or outside the state) with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher, with approval of the academic dean. The student's FSU GPA will be reset to 0.00 upon readmission after earning an AA degree. In addition, the student earning an AA degree from a Florida public institution is guaranteed sixty semester hours when granted the GPA reset. Returning to FSU with an AA degree will not guarantee readmission to a specialized admissions major or a major where prerequisite coursework has not been met;
Under documented extraordinary circumstances and when the GPA deficit is minimal, being immediately reinstated on academic probation by the academic dean (Under this option, if the student fails to achieve the required GPA to good academic standing (2.0 FSU cumulative GPA) during the first term of reenrollment, the student will again be dismissed.
- Consideration of the academic dismissal takes priority over any readmission application and must be resolved first. Students on dismissal are not eligible for readmission or the readmission appeals process unless they have first been reinstated by the academic dean. The academic dean is the final authority for reinstatement consideration when the student is not subject to the multiple withdrawal or dismissal policy. In cases where a student has multiple dismissals or withdrawals, the University Withdrawal/Reinstatement Committee will review the student's request for readmission and render a decision in consultation with the academic dean. Reinstatement by the academic dean does not constitute automatic readmission. Students who have been out of the University for more than three consecutive semesters (including summer) must go through the readmission process and meet University requirements and standards.
- All students who enter Florida State University for the first time are assured retention for their second term. Students may, however, be placed on academic probation at the end of the first enrolled term.
Students pursuing multiple degrees under different careers (i.e., graduate and undergraduate simultaneously) are subject to the retention standards of the career associated with each degree. Dismissal from one career does not automatically constitute dismissal from the second career when those careers are different (i.e., undergraduate and graduate, or Law and graduate).
Graduate students should refer to the “Academic Regulations and Procedures” chapter of the Graduate Bulletin.
Withdrawal Policies
Withdrawal from the University
All students who wish to leave the University during a term must formally withdraw from any classes that remain on their schedule after the end of the drop/add period. Dropping all classes does not constitute formal withdrawal. Students who do not attend classes and fail to withdraw will be assigned grades of “F” for each course.
Withdrawal requests are not automatically approved but must be requested. Withdrawals are initiated in the withdrawal services section of the Department of Student Support and Transitions located in the University Center. The statement “Withdrew from the University” will appear on the transcripts of students who properly withdraw. Under documented exceptional circumstances (beyond the student's control), as determined by the appropriate academic dean, a student withdrawing from the University may receive “WD” grades in all courses taken that term. Students who petition for a withdrawal under medical or mental health reasons will have a transcript notation of “WD” grades for all courses taken that term.
Note: Withdrawals requested after the 7th week of the term (see academic calendar of the specific term for dates) are grade liable and will appear on the transcript for all courses. Students are encouraged to discuss their individual circumstances with their academic dean.
Students who cancel their enrollment during the first four days of classes for a term are not held liable for tuition and registration fees. Those who have paid are eligible for a full refund. Students who withdraw after the first four days of classes, but prior to the end of the fourth week of classes are eligible for a twenty-five percent refund of tuition and registration fees, less the building and capital improvement fees; this deadline is adjusted for shorter Summer terms. Students who withdraw after this deadline are fully liable for fees and are not eligible for a refund, except as provided in policies set forth by the State Board of Education and Florida State University. Students who receive Title IV funds and who decide to cancel their schedule during the first four days of classes or who withdraw from the University may be required to repay some or all of the funds received. For further information on refunds, see the ‘Refunds of Fees' section in the “Financial Information” chapter of this General Bulletin.
A student wishing to reenter the University in any of the following three semesters after withdrawal must have the approval of their academic dean on the ‘Application for Withdrawal and Reentry' form. Degree-seeking students wishing to reenter the University after three semesters (including summer) must submit an application for readmission to the Office of Admissions; non-degree seeking students must complete the original application process. Formal application must be made to the Office of Admissions by the published deadline. Students who left the University on dismissal must resolve the dismissal and be reinstated by the academic dean before any decision can be made on the readmission application. (Consult the “University Calendar” chapter of this General Bulletin for specific application deadlines.)
International students who wish to withdraw must request and receive prior authorization from a Center for Global Engagement advisor. Student-athletes who wish to withdraw must receive prior authorization from Student-Athlete Academic Support.
Students who are withdrawing and who have purchased the student health insurance through the University should contact the Health Compliance Office at University Health Services for information about their health insurance and whether they are eligible to retain or cancel coverage.
The University Withdrawal/Reinstatement Committee and
Deadlines for Requesting and Processing Withdrawals
Students petitioning for a withdrawal are expected to submit their requests and documentation in a timely fashion following the date the withdrawal is initiated. There are three types of withdrawals (see below). Depending on the type of withdrawal, the academic dean may review the withdrawal or it may be required to be submitted to the University Withdrawal/Reinstatement Committee. Students considering a withdrawal should discuss their options with their academic advisor or dean prior to any deadlines.
Current term. Students may request a withdrawal for the current term at any point during the term after the official drop/add period. Withdrawals submitted prior to the last day of classes for the same term are considered current term withdrawals. Students should check the Academic Calendar for the date of the last day of classes for the term in question. The academic dean may render decisions to approve or deny withdrawal requests in accordance with University and college policies and procedures. Students are held grade liable for all classes for withdrawals requested after the 7th week of the term. Current term withdrawals may result in a “WD” grade appearing on the transcript.
Retroactive withdrawals initiated within one year (three terms, including the current term and summer): These withdrawals are considered retroactive withdrawals and are reviewed by the academic dean in a fashion similar to current term withdrawals. Students should first meet with their academic dean to determine the steps to petition for a retroactive withdrawal. Students' academic deans may require additional documentation for retroactive withdrawals. The academic dean may render decisions to approve or deny withdrawal requests in accordance with University and college policies and procedures. No petitions will be accepted after the student's degree has posted. If approved, retroactive withdrawals will have “WD” grades assigned.
Retroactive withdrawal over one year. Withdrawals initiated, but not completed or approved within one year, are only considered by a student's dean's office in extraordinary circumstances. Students should first meet with their academic dean to determine if their request for a withdrawal over one year will be considered and then if so, they should submit any required supporting documentation of extenuating circumstances. The academic dean may render decisions to approve or deny withdrawal requests in accordance with University and college policies and procedures. No petitions will be accepted after the student's degree has posted. If approved, retroactive withdrawals will have “WD” grades assigned.
Note: Withdrawal petitions initiated for terms older than the one year limit, or not completed, are considered exceptional and must be reviewed by committee. The decision of the University Withdrawal/Reinstatement Committee constitutes final university action.
Readmission after Multiple Withdrawals
When any student (undergraduate, graduate, law, or medicine [MD degree]) student has withdrawn from the University three or more times, subsequent readmission must first be considered by the University Withdrawal/Reinstatement Committee whose charge is to assess the student's capability of making satisfactory progress toward degree. This committee, appointed by the Council of Associate and Assistant Deans, will then make a recommendation to the dean of the student's college, who will make the final decision in cases where a student's Florida State University GPA is less than 12 quality points deficient. In cases where the student has multiple withdrawals or dismissals, and a Florida State University GPA that is more than 12 quality points deficient, the University Withdrawal Reinstatement Committee will make the final determination.
Medical Course Drop/Withdrawal
Medical course drops are generally recommended for approval by the dean where unforeseeable illnesses or injuries have interfered with the student's ability to complete specific course(s). Similarly, medical withdrawals (all courses dropped) may be approved for acute, severe illnesses or injuries that incapacitate the student. Chronic conditions generally do not qualify unless the student has been stable for a sustained length of time and then experiences an unexpected change in health status. Students with chronic or recurring health problems should consult with their clinicians and carefully assess a realistic class schedule based on their condition and their likelihood of relapses. Courses approved to be dropped or withdrawn under these circumstances may be noted on the transcript with “WD” grades.
Note: For information regarding medical course drops and medical withdrawals, visit https://dsst.fsu.edu or call the Office of Withdrawal Services at (850) 644-1741.
Types of FSU Identification and Contact Information
Student Addresses and Contact Information
Students must maintain their current local and permanent addresses with the University. Address updates may be done through the online portal at https://my.fsu.edu or in person at the Office of the University Registrar, 3900 University Center A. Students are strongly encouraged to provide emergency text numbers and contact information.
The Florida State University EMPLID
To better protect the identity of individuals within our campus community, Florida State University creates a unique nine-digit number identifier for each student and employee called the EMPLID. You can find your EMPLID by logging in at http://my.fsu.edu. It is displayed in My Info.
The FSUCard
The FSUCard is your official University identification card, and it's used across campus for all things FSU. To be identified as an FSU student, you must always have your FSUCard with you. Keep your FSUCard safe, and don't share your FSUCard information with others. Think of it as your license for campus living.
The FSUCard grants access to University libraries; residence halls; buses and other transportation services; campus recreation facilities; the testing center; and other campus and athletic events.
There is no charge for your initial card. However, if you should lose or damage the card, the FSUCard Center will replace it for a fee. An FSUCard semi-annual fee of $5.00 applies to students each Fall and Spring semesters. For more information, please visit https://fsucard.fsu.edu. From 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, you can talk to a staff person by dialing (850) 644-7777, or you can email fsucard@fsu.edu.
FSUCash
All FSUCard holders including students, faculty, and staff automatically receive a FSUCash account. FSUCash is an on-campus “pocket change” account, offering a convenient payment option for on-campus services such as student laundry, copy/print services, vending machine purchases, use at Seminole Dining locations, the FSU Bookstore, the UPS Store, and more. FSUCash is the only tender accepted at the Center for Testing and Assessment, student laundry, and student copy/printing.
FSUCash rolls over from semester to semester and year to year. However, after 12 months of inactivity, a monthly deduction will be taken from the FSUCash account. This fee will not result in a negative balance or affect the card's other functions. To avoid the automatic deduction, a transaction such as a purchase or deposit must be made within a 12-month timeframe. FSUCash refunds are available upon request by e-mailing fsucard@fsu.edu.
Current FSUCash balances can be checked using http://my.fsu.edu, or by downloading the eAccounts mobile app. For more information, please visit https://fsucard.fsu.edu. From 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, you can talk to a staff person at the FSUCard Center by dialing (850) 644-7777, or you can email fsucard@fsu.edu.
Your FSUCard Is Your Library Card
You must have your FSUCard to enter and exit campus libraries, so make sure to always keep it handy. From borrowing books and equipment to reserving study rooms, your FSUCard does everything a regular library card does, and more. For more information, visit https://lib.fsu.edu.
Official Email Accounts for All Students at Florida State University
The official method of communication at Florida State University is your FSU email account. To stay informed and aware, you are required to set up and maintain your account and check it regularly. If you choose to have your FSU official account forwarded to another email account, you are still held responsible for all information distributed by the University to your FSU account.
Florida State University's Information Technology Services offers a suite of email and online collaboration services for students, which includes:
- Cloud-based mailbox
- Digital calendar and contacts
- Mobile access to FSU email via Outlook app
- Integration with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote
- Access to Microsoft 365 services, including OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams
For more information, visit its.fsu.edu/services/fsu-email. Questions regarding FSU email accounts can be answered by contacting the ITS Service Desk at 850-644-4357 or its.fsu.edu/help.
Student Communications and Records—Privacy and Access
Students have the right to access their student records that are on file in the Office of the University Registrar. Students requesting access to their file information, or a third party requesting information held in a student's file, have the right to a response from the Office of the University Registrar within 30 days if the student provides written consent. Should the record include information about more than one student, only the information pertaining to the student making the request will be given.
IMPORTANT:
The disclosure or publication of student information is governed by the policies of Florida State University and the State of Education within the framework of state and federal laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Student have the right to obtain a copy of Florida State University's student record policy from the Office of the University Registrar, A3900 University Center, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2480. For comprehensive information regarding FERPA and all policies related to the release of student information, please reference the ‘Notification of Students' Rights under FERPA' and the ‘Release of Student Information' sections in the “University Notices” chapter of this General Bulletin.
Please refer to the following headings “University Notices” section of this Bulletin for:
- Notification of Students' Rights under (FERPA),
- Release of Student Information, and
- Request to Prevent Publication of Directory Information.
Phone Monitoring
Students should be aware that phone calls placed to Florida State University's interactive telephone network may be periodically monitored to ensure that the appropriate quality control is maintained.
Parental or Third-Party Access to Records
Students may give a designated parent(s)/guardian(s), or other third parties (i.e., sibling, spouse, etc.), authority to review their University financial status, grades, transcript, student profile. Granting access to a parent/guardian or third party to view information in this manner also authorizes University personnel to discuss those records with the designated individual(s). Students should be aware that any individuals granted such access may see the selected student's academic records, including but not limited to preferred name, gender identity, personal pronouns, classes, grades, billings, etc.
Enrollment Verification
Student enrollment verification is granted only through the submission of an official request. Students who require enrollment verification should visit https://registrar.fsu.edu/records/certification for further instructions. Written requests may be submitted directly to:
Office of the University Registrar
Florida State University
A3900 University Center
282 Champions Way
P.O. Box 3062480
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2480.
Former students or outside agencies may request an enrollment verification or degree verification online from the National Student Clearinghouse at https://nscverifications.org/welcome-to-verification-services.