Bulletin 2000-2002
 
Introduction to IUPUI

Certification from University College to Degree-Granting Schools

Selecting a Major

Students who meet the regular admission criteria for IUPUI, who meet additional school admission criteria, and who indicate the major/program that they wish to study when they apply, may move into their schools after the first six weeks of the first semester. This dual admission is offered on the condition that
  1. students are not required to take refresher courses following their placement tests;
  2. they are enrolled in a first-year seminar;
  3. they have attended orientation and have been advised; and
  4. their midterm grades are satisfactory.
Other students will move to their schools during their first 56 credit hours of study, during which time students should be completing general-education requirements and other courses necessary for admission into their chosen school or program. Since these courses vary widely from one program to the next, students should refer to the University College checklists and this bulletin to ensure that courses count towards their degree.

Additional Options Available

Double Majors

While most students complete only one major within their program of study, some schools permit students to complete two majors within a school. To do so, the student must complete the requirements for each of the two majors as well as all other school requirements for a degree. Students seeking a double major must consult advisors from each of the departments in which they propose to study. Usually, the student must receive the approval of the school advisor or school dean of students to do so.

Double Degrees

While most students work on a single degree at a time, a student may work on what is essentially two degrees in two different schools at IUPUI simultaneously (e.g., B.A. from Indiana University in English and a B.S. in Psychology from Purdue University). Such a double degree can be obtained by completing all requirements in the two schools for the two different degrees. Some, but not all the same, courses can be used to satisfy requirements in both schools. Working on double degrees must be approved by the appropriate deans and advisors in both schools.

Minors

Students in many schools may take one or more minors along with their majors. Minors will not appear on the student’s transcript until graduation. Students majoring in one school often can elect to complete minors in other schools.

Minors are structured programs generally of 15 to 18 credit hours, though they may require more. They are of three types: (1) departmental or single-discipline minors, (2) interdisciplinary or cross-discipline minors, and (3) thematic minors.

In most schools, only courses in which students receive at least a C (2.0) can be applied to the minor. Listings of minors available and the specific requirements for minors are described in each school’s bulletin section.

Certificates

Certificate programs resemble minors but generally require more credit hours. Some certificate programs are stand-alone programs, which means that a student does not have to be working towards a two- or four-year degree to complete a certificate program. In most schools, only courses in which students receive at least a C (2.0) can be applied to the certificate program, while in some schools students may be permitted to average all grades required in the certificate program. Specific requirements and grade policies can be found in the section for the school offering the certificate.

Second Undergraduate Degrees

Normally, holders of bachelor’s degrees seeking further education are encouraged to enter graduate programs; in certain cases, however, students may prefer to work toward a second bachelor’s degree. IUPUI strongly recommends that students discuss current requirements with an advisor prior to starting work on a second undergraduate degree. If admitted by a school to candidacy for a second degree, students may count credits earned in their first bachelor’s degree. However, they must meet the school’s requirements, including residence requirements, distribution course work, work in the major, and other requirements not fulfilled by earlier work. Some schools may specify the number of credit hours that must be taken above and beyond the

Changing Units

University College’s goal is to launch students on a successful college career. Once the transition from high school to college, or from workplace to college has occurred, University College focuses on moving students into their degree-granting programs and schools. The faculty require that, at minimum, students must successfully complete a learning community course, be enrolled in or eligible to enroll in W131, be enrolled in or be eligible to enroll in MATH 111, complete the reading requirements, attain a minimum GPA of 2.0, complete 11 credit hours (12 credit hours at Columbus) in order to certify to a degree-granting school. Many schools have more requirements. Refresher courses will not count toward students’ degrees but will count toward the students’ standing as full- or part-time degree-seeking students for financial aid and insurance purposes.

Students on probation must fulfill their contractual agreements and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be removed from probationary status. When students meet their school’s requirements, they are eligible for certification to those schools. Otherwise, students remain in University College until they

  1. meet the conditions for admission into their desired school;
  2. change career objectives and find another school at IUPUI willing to accept them; or
  3. earn too many credit hours to remain in University College. (See the section below entitled “The 56 Credit Hour Rule.”)

Admission into Degree-Granting Programs from University College

Some schools accept all students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or other specified GPA. In such schools, students can change schools or programs using an Office of the Registrar IUPUI School Record Change Form. To be sure that they are eligible to transfer, students should consult the school recorder.

Other schools require both a set GPA and the completion of a set of specific courses with a specific GPA. In such schools, it is more difficult to determine a student’s eligibility. Such schools often have a formal application.

Admission into Capped (Limited Enrollment) Programs

Admission to IUPUI schools is often competitive. Schools may limit their applicant pool to students with a specified minimum GPA, and if selected for application, students may be asked to take part in an interview as part of the admission process. It is important for students to fully understand the entrance requirements of the school or program in which they hope to enroll. Students who are not accepted after one or two tries should work with an advisor to select an alternate program of study.

The 56 Credit Hour Rule

IUPUI encourages students to explore a variety of majors, but after accumulating about 26 credit hours, students should select a degree program. In order to remain in the university after accumulating 56 credit hours, undecided students must be accepted into their degree program or apply to the General Studies degree program. Transfer students with more than 56 transfer credit hours may remain in University College one semester before they must be accepted into their degree program. If, at the end of that semester, they still have deficiencies or unmet prerequisites, these transfer students may petition for additional time in University College.

Procedures for Changing Schools/ Programs at IUPUI

To transfer from one IUPUI school to another, students should contact the recorder of the school to which they wish to transfer to find out if they have met the necessary requirements. University College students should contact the UC recorder. The actual change requires the completion of the Office of the Registrar IUPUI School Record Change Form. Acceptance by the new school requires the approval of the appropriate school dean.

Students may also wish to change majors within a school, say changing from criminal justice to urban affairs in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) or from chemistry to biology in the School of Science. Again, students should contact their schools’ recorder to determine their eligibility and consider the consequences of such a change. This change also requires the Office of the Registrar IUPUI School Record Change Form.

A Temporary Change of Campus

If IUPUI students want to enroll at another Indiana University campus on a temporary or permanent basis, they should contact the Office of Admissions at the appropriate campus. Likewise, to enroll at another Purdue University campus, students should contact the Office of Admissions at the appropriate Purdue campus.

STUDENTS CONSIDERING PERMANENT TRANSFERS SHOULD REMEMBER THAT DEGREE REQUIREMENTS VARY ON DIFFERENT CAMPUSES, WHETHER AT IU OR PURDUE. TRANSFERRING MAY REQUIRE A YEAR OR MORE OF ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME STUDY, ESPECIALLY IF THE TRANSFER IS MADE IN THE JUNIOR OR SENIOR YEAR.

Student Responsibilities

The faculty and Trustees of Indiana (and Purdue) University vote to confer the degree on students at the end of their course of study, and if requirements are not met, they may withhold the degree. Students are responsible for understanding all requirements and completing them by the time they graduate. Advisors, directors, deans, and faculty gladly help students understand school requirements; however, each student is responsible for fulfilling the requirements. Students may refer to this bulletin, INSITE, and school advisors and recorders to find out about their personal progress toward a degree.

Similarly, students are responsible for informing IUPUI of any changes in their name, address, phone number, and other relevant data. Students may use INSITE to change information online or provide it directly to the Office of the Registrar. Likewise, students are responsible for securing the necessary form and signatures to drop classes and for turning the forms in on time. Failure to properly drop a course could result in an F in that course. Similarly, all registration or add procedures must be followed or students risk not receiving credit for a course that was improperly added.

Students should also be familiar with the rules of appropriate academic behavior which are based on three major premises:

  1. The free exchange of ideas is critical to university life and therefore civility within the academic community must be ensured;
  2. ideas are as much property as are houses, cars, CDs, and wallets, and therefore, another person’s ideas cannot be used without permission and acknowledgment of the idea’s true owner; and finally,
  3. knowledge and wisdom are truly the result of contributions of individuals and societies past and present from around the world, and therefore, diversity is seen as a desired, even crucial, component of any intellectual community.
These concepts lead to rules and regulations that are found in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. A brief summary of some key elements of the Code appear in a later section of this bulletin. Students are expected to be familiar with the basics of the Code.

Graduation Requirements

Applying for Graduation

Candidates for graduation initiate the certification process by filing an Intent to Graduate form with the recorder of their school at least one year prior to their expected graduation date. Purdue degree candidates must register for CAND 991 as noted in the Schedule of Classes. Details concerning the application deadlines of specific schools and any additional requirements related to graduation are available from the recorder or the school sections of this bulletin.

Completion of Degree Requirements

When students contact the recorder about graduation, they should double-check that they in fact will have completed graduation requirements. The IUCARE/Student Advising System shows what courses students still need to take and whether all transfer work has been entered. Some schools do audits either when students file for graduation or at the beginning of their senior year. Students should go over audits with their advisors to make sure they are accurate, and if they should contact the school recorder with questions. Common mistakes that result in students’ failure to graduate are unacceptable grades and not registering for necessary courses, dropping them during the last semester, or otherwise failing to complete required courses. Students may graduate with incompletes on their record, provided they are not for required courses. Residency requirements also affect graduation eligibility.
 

INDIANA UNIVERSITY -  PURDUE UNIVERSITY  INDIANAPOLIS
425 University Blvd. Indianapolis, IN 46202-5143
Comments: IUPUI Office of the Registrar
Copyright 2000, The Trustees of Indiana University