Graduate Catalog - Clark Atlanta University

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITYGRADUATE CATALOG2016-2018Learn Lead Change

Graduate Catalog2016-2018Learn Lead Change223 James P. Brawley Drive, S.W.Atlanta, Georgia 30314Telephone: (404) 880-8000www.cau.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action StatementClark Atlanta University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The University provides equalemployment opportunities to all faculty, staff, students and applicants without regard to race, color, religion,sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical handicap, military or status as a Vietnam veteran in compliancewith applicable federal and state laws that pertain to nondiscrimination. Such action shall include, but is notlimited to, employment, promotion, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; lay-off orseparation; rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training programs.Clark Atlanta University is committed to providing equal educational opportunity for all qualified studentapplicants and enrolled students without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry,physical handicap, military or marital status. This commitment to equal opportunity includes recruitment,admission, access to and usage of facilities, counseling and testing, financial assistance, placement andcurricular programs and activities.Sexual Harassment PolicyIt is the policy of Clark Atlanta University that sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender willnot be condoned. As a matter of practice and policy, the University is committed to maintaining an educationaland working environment free of conduct that degrades or subjugates employees or students. This policyapplies equally to faculty, administrative and support staff and students, and is in keeping with the spirit andintent of Federal guidelines (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) on discrimination because of gender.It is the policy of Clark Atlanta University to provide each student, faculty member, and staff member with anenvironment free from harassment.Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conductof a sexual nature that interferes with performance by creating a hostile, offensive, or intimidating workenvironment or is an expressed or implied condition of employment. Such behavior will be subject todisciplinary actions up to and including dismissal.Drug and Alcohol PolicyClark Atlanta University does not permit or condone the illicit or unauthorized possession, use, consumption,sale or distribution of illegal drugs and/or alcohol by its students and employees on its property or as part ofits activities. This policy applies to all full-time and part-time students; and all full-time and part-timepermanent and temporary employees, including faculty, administration, all exempt and non-exempt staff andany student employees and interns.Students who violate this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with local, stateand federal law, which may include counseling, a reprimand and warning, disciplinary probation, suspension,expulsion and referral to the proper law enforcement authorities for prosecution.Employees who violate this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with local, stateand federal law, which may include counseling, mandatory participation in an appropriate rehabilitationprogram, being placed on strict probation, unpaid suspension from employment, termination of employmentand referral to the proper law enforcement authorities for prosecution.All disciplinary procedures and appeals presently applicable to students and employees will continue to beavailable for violations of this policy.The purpose of this policy is to produce a workplace and campus environment that discourages theunauthorized or illegal use of drugs and alcohol by students and employees. The University has prepared andmade available information that is important for each student and employee to read and understand regardingthe legal penalties and the health risks that are associated with alcohol and drug abuse.CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITYGRADUATE CATALOG 2016-2018

2016-2018 Graduate Catalog223 James P. Brawley Drive, S.W.Atlanta, Georgia 30314Telephone: (404) 880-8000www.cau.eduThe Clark Atlanta University 2016-2018 Graduate Catalog herein incorporates the appropriateacademic programs and many of the policies and resources of the University. This Catalog, as well asother official supplements, is not a contract. While the provisions of the Catalog ordinarily will beapplied as stated, Clark Atlanta University reserves the right to revise information, including but notlimited to academic requirements for graduation, without providing actual or constructive notice toindividual students.Every student is responsible for the completion of his/her academic program and for meeting alldegree requirements. It is the individual student's responsibility to keep abreast of the currentgraduation requirements and any changes in his/her particular degree program. Changes made by aschool or department will be available in the appropriate Dean's office. Official updates to the Catalogwill appear on the University’s website at www.cau.edu.Policies regarding the enrollment of degree-seeking (matriculating) students at Clark AtlantaUniversity are listed below:All students will follow the curriculum and the degree completion requirements specified in theUniversity Catalog issued for the year of their initial enrollment as degree-seeking students.The University will honor degree completion requirements specified for students in the UniversityCatalog for the year of initial enrollment, as long as such enrollment is continuous (summer sessionsnot included).A student who does not maintain continuous enrollment (summer sessions not included) will followthe degree completion requirements specified in the University Catalog issued the year ofreadmission.Any student under any degree program who has re-enrolled in the University after interruptions ofmore than two semesters will be required to apply for readmission and meet the requirements of thecurrent catalog.A student who transfers to another degree program will follow the requirements specified in theUniversity Catalog issued for the year of the transfer to the new degree program.Students responsible for reading and complying with the University policies contained in the Catalog.General Principles Concerning Student WelfareCertain regulations have been formulated, at the University, that are deemed to be in the best interestof students and the institution. They are published in full in the current Student Handbook, copies ofwhich are issued to new students at the beginning of each semester. Students are urged to readcarefully these regulations so that they may make informed decisions as members of the Universitycommunity. The failure of any student to cooperate with members of the University community intheir efforts to maintain a wholesome environment or the inability to demonstrate sincerity ofpurpose and to profit from the experiences and contacts provided by the University are sufficientreasons to withdraw from the student privileges of the graduate experience at the University.CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITYGRADUATE CATALOG 2016-2018

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITYGRADUATE CATALOG 2016-2018

TABLE OF CONTENTSEqual Opportunity/Affirmative Action StatementSexual Harassment Policy/ Drug and Alcohol Policy . Inside Front CoverMessage from the President . viiAccreditations and Affiliations. ixUniversity Memberships and Affiliations . xThe Campus . 1Directions to Clark Atlanta University . 2Campus Buildings . 3Campus Sustainability . 3Academic Calendar 2016-2018 . 4General InformationThe History . 9Mission . 11Vision . 12Core Values . 12Campus Cultural Creed. 13Strategic Priorities and Goals . 14Academic Structure . 15DIVISION OF ENROLLMENT SERVICES . 17ENROLLMENT SERVICESGraduate Admissions. 17Application for Admission . 17Application Deadlines . 17Admissions Procedures. 18Unconditional Admission . 19Conditional Admission . 19Transfer Applicants . 20Transfer Requirements and Procedures . 20Limitation on Transfer Credit. 20Transient Applicants . 20Post-Baccalaureate Applicants. 20Veterans Applicants. 20International Applicants . 21Immunization Requirements . 23Financial Information . 24Students’ Rights and Responsibilities . 25Application Procedures for Financial Aid. 25Eligibility Criteria for Financial Aid Awards . 27CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITYGRADUATE CATALOG 2016-2018

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for Financial Aid Recipients . 27Financial Aid Suspension . 28Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension . 28Financial Aid Probation . 28Cost of Attending Clark Atlanta University . 28The Financial Aid Award . 29External Scholarships and Resources . 30Funding for Summer Session and Study Abroad . 30Types of Available Aid . 31Federal Grants . 32Institutional Scholarships . 32Federal Self-Help and Loan Options . 32Veterans Benefits . 32Registration and Academic Records . 35University Calendar System . 35Summer Session . 35Registration Policy . 35Cross Registration . 36Student Records . 38Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) . 38Change of Name and Address . 39Academic Transcripts . 39Transcript Requests . 40Release of Academic Transcripts. 40Official Withdrawal from Clark Atlanta University . 40Release of Diplomas. 40Student Accounts Information . 43Tuition/Fees, Room and Board Charges . 43Tuition Payment Plans . 45Billing Information . 46Credit Balance Refunds. 47Official Withdrawals and Cancellations . 48Collection of Past Due Balances . 48How Financial Aid Payments are Applied to Your Student Account . 48Return of Funds to Title IV Policy . 49STUDENT AFFAIRSStudent Rights and Standards for Personal Conduct . 51Student Services . 52CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITYGRADUATE CATALOG 2016-2018

Recreational and Intramural Sports Program . 53Student Health Services . 53University Counseling Center and Disability Services . 55Religious Life. 56Residence Life – On-Campus Housing . 57Leadership and Student Development . 58Chartered Student Organizations . 58Honor Societies . 59Academic Clubs. 59Pan-Hellenic Council (Greek-Letter Organizations) . 59General Organizations. 60Student Government Association . 60Student Publications . 60Cultural/Performing Groups. 60Religious Organizations . 60Educational, Social and Service Organizations . 61Multicultural Affairs . 61Career Services . 62Auxiliary Services . 63Mail Center . 63Panther PAW (Personalized Access Worldwide) Card Office . 63Print Shop . 65Dining Services . 66Parking Services . 67Public Safety. 68Crime Reporting Equals Crime Prevention . 69Medical Emergencies . 70Lost and Found . 70Campus Access . 70Building Access . 71SPECIAL PROGRAMSAccelerated Dual-Degree Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs . 73Internships . 73Cooperative Education . 73Study Abroad . 74Student Exchange Program . 74ACADEMIC POLICIES AND REGULATIONS (Academic Standards and Requirements) . 75Academic Integrity . 75University Policy on Determining Credit Hours Awarded for Courses and Programs . 75Course Credits and Minimum Contact Hour Requirements . 77CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITYGRADUATE CATALOG 2016-2018