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Frequently Asked Academic Questions (FAQ)
What is WSU's academic honesty policy?
Does WSU give academic progress reports?
Who qualifies for academic recognition?
How does WSU define a full-time student?
How can I appeal a grade I received?
How are graduation honors figured?
What is a myWSU ID?
What is the withdrawal/drop policy?
Who is on campus to help me succeed?
What are the General Education requirements for WSU?
I want to take only one undergraduate class at WSU, where do I start?
What are the upcoming English and Math placement dates?
1. What is WSU's academic honesty policy?
A standard of academic honesty, fairly applied to all students, is essential to a learning environment. Students who compromise the integrity of the classroom are subject to disciplinary action by their instructor, their department, their college and/or the university. Violations of classroom standards of academic honesty include, but are not limited to:
Cheating in any form, whether in formal examinations or elsewhere.
Using or submitting the work of others as one's own original work without assigning proper credit to the source.
Misrepresentation of any work done in or out of the classroom or in preparation for class.
Falsification, forgery or alteration of any documents pertaining to academic records.
Colluding with others in an effort to obtain a grade or credit not truly reflective of what the student knows or has learned.
Students violating such standards must accept the consequences and appropriately assessed penalties, which may include reprimand, a failing grade, or suspension or dismissal from an academic program or the university. Students accused of abridging a standard of academic honesty will be provided with mechanisms for review and appeal of decisions regarding allegations of academic misconduct.
The fundamental responsibility for the maintenance of the standards of academic honesty rests with each student. It is each student's responsibility to be familiar with university policy on academic honesty and to uphold standards of academic honesty at all times and in all situations.
WSU Academic Policies
2. Does WSU give academic progress reports?
At mid-semester, instructors are asked to provide midterm grades for students in full-semester courses. Midterm grades are available electronically to students and their academic advisers in the ninth week of the semester. When there are grades that reflect below average work, students should meet with their instructors and/or college advisers to discuss their progress. A final grade report is available online through myWSU Self-Service at the end of each semester. A printed report may also be requested through that system.
3. Who qualifies for academic recognition?
These policies pertain to undergraduate students only. Semester honors are based on the WSU grade point average. The Dean's Honor Roll is composed of students enrolled in 12 or more semester hours of graded work who achieve a grade point average of 3.500 or higher for a semester. Students enrolled in 6 through 11 hours of graded work per semester who achieve a grade point average of 3.500 or higher will receive Academic Commendation. "Graded work" means any coursework for which the grade generates credit points -- see the Undergraduate Catalog.
4. What is Blackboard?
The vast majority of courses utilize Blackboard, a Web-based Course Management System. Students participating in courses using Blackboard will be required to have Internet access. Several computer labs on the main campus and at outreach locations provide access during certain hours on a first-come, first-served basis. Students new to learning online are highly encouraged to complete the introduction to Learning Online at https://www.wichita.edu/learningonline.
Students must use a supported browser with appropriate plugins necessary to navigate the course and use any instructor required tools. A browser check and system checklist are available to assist with this at http://blackboard.wichita.edu/browsercheck/index.htm. Students log on to Blackboard using their myWSU ID and password. However, Blackboard courses will not be visible until 28 days prior to the start day of the class (or as deemed appropriate by the instructor).
If students are having issues logging into Blackboard but are able to login to myWSU, they can find additional help at the elearning Resource Hub https://www.wichita.edu/elearning or by calling (316) 978-4357. Papers submitted in Blackboard classes may be reviewed by SafeAssignment, a plagiarism detection device.
5. How does WSU define a full-time student?
As a general rule, a student taking 12 credit hours is considered a full-time student. For graduate students, 9 graduate credit hours are considered a full load. (Graduate students who hold a 20 hour per week graduate assistantship position are considered full-time if they are enrolled in 6 or more credit hours. Graduate students taking all or a majority of courses which carry undergraduate credit must meet the 12-credit-hour requirement to be certified as full-time students.)
During the summer session, 6 credit hours of enrollment are considered full-time for international undergraduates and graduate students. Summer full-time for domestic undergraduates remains 12 hours.
Visit www.wichita.edu/timestatus for all current and previous terms time statuses.
6. How can I appeal a grade I received?
The faculty at Wichita State has established a procedure to resolve disputes arising out of the classroom through the Court of Student Academic Appeals. The court hears appeals from students who feel they have been treated unfairly in grading. The court is designed to help resolve differences that cannot be settled in the framework of the student-faculty relationship and offers an important safeguard for students. Students should make every effort to resolve the problems with the instructor before filing an appeal. If resolution is not reached, any student may use the appeal procedure. Forms are available in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in 109 Morrison Hall. The general procedure is explained to students when they pick up the form. The appeal must be filed within one semester after the grade is assigned (excluding summer).
7. How are graduation honors figured?
Graduation honors are based upon BOTH the WSU cumulative grade point average and the overall cumulative grade point average. Degrees are conferred with distinction upon students who have shown excellence in scholarship. The minimum standard for graduating summa cum laude is cumulative grade point averages of 3.900; the minimum standard for graduating magna cum laude is cumulative grade point averages of 3.550; and the minimum standard for graduating cum laude is cumulative grade point averages of 3.250.
8. What is a myWSU ID?
Each student is identified on the University's computer files by a unique set of numbers and letters, called "myWSU ID." Students are also identified on computer files by the 16 digit ISO number from their Shocker ID card. That number is not related to their myWSU ID, and students must have an ISO number to access certain services.
9. What is the withdrawal/drop policy?
When you drop a class in the first 10 business days of the semester (or equivalent period for shorter classes), it does not appear on your permanent academic record. Drop a class the 11th business day through the tenth week and a "W" grade appears on your record with no impact on your grade point average. The last day of the tenth week is the last day to drop a 16-week course. A "W" grade merely indicates that you were enrolled in the course and officially withdrew.
10. Who is on campus to help me succeed?
Click here to view the resources available to you as a student at WSU.
11. What are the General Education requirements for WSU?
Click here to view the General Education brochure.
12. I want to take only one undergraduate class at WSU, where do I start?
Students can be admitted to the University as a non-degree seeking student. Your options include high school guest, college guest or an open admission student. Click here to visit the Admissions webpage for admission requirements.
13. What are the upcoming English and Math placement dates?
Click here to see the upcoming placement dates.