Standard Number 3.5.2: The institution awards degrees only to those students who have earned at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree through instruction offered by that institution.

Full Compliance

Georgia Southern University complies fully with this standard as shown in the graduation requirements for baccalaureate degrees in its 2004-2005 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog (see p. 49, “Graduation Requirements”). These requirements include in part: “Students must earn at least 30 percent (38 semester hours) of their degree requirements in residence at Georgia Southern University. The last 30 semester hours of work must be earned at Georgia Southern University.”

Likewise, the requirements for an advanced degree read in part: “A minimum of three semesters (one academic year) or three summer sessions in residence.” Additionally, University policy stipulates that a maximum of six graduate semester hours from a regionally accredited institution may be transferred toward a master's or education specialist degree. The Ed.D. in Curriculum Studies (see 2004-2005 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog , p. 279) stipulates that up to 27 semester hours of applicable and appropriate post-master's work may be applied toward degree requirements with the approval of the student's Candidacy Committee Chair. This degree program requires a total of 63 semester hours beyond the master's including the dissertation (54 semester hours excluding the dissertation). Therefore, 36 of the 63 semester hours must be completed at Georgia Southern or 64% of the total credit hours required. The Ed.D. in Educational Administration provides for course credit for work done toward an education specialist degree up to a maximum of 36 semester hours, provided that course work was completed in a timely manner from an accredited institution authorized to offer the education specialist degree in Educational Administration/Leadership (see 2004-2005 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog , p. 277). This program requires 75 semester hours beyond the dissertation (66 semester hours excluding the dissertation). Consequently, students enrolled in this program must complete 39 semester hours or 52% of the credits at Georgia Southern.

³²2004-2005 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog (p. 240). Note: the minimum residence requirement for a master's degree is one academic year or three summer sessions (p. 240). The Ed.D. in Educational Administration requires a minimum of five semesters of continuous study beyond the specialist degree and cannot be secured through summer study only. At least six semester hours must be completed during each of two semesters to satisfy full-time residency requirements at Georgia Southern University (p. 275). The residency requirement for the Ed.D. in Curriculum Studies is one academic year of continual enrollment (p. 279).

³³Ibid (p. 238).