Admission, Continuance and Completion in a Major

Policy

In order to support students' learning and success in completion of their undergraduate education, Minnesota State University, Mankato establishes and upholds standards of performance within academic majors.

Admission to Undergraduate Majors

Some undergraduate majors have specific requirements for admission beyond those of admission to the University. These are noted by the titles of Open Admission and Competitive Admission. 

All programs by default are considered Open Admission and students are considered admitted to the program at the point of major declaration. 

Programs that are deemed Competitive Admission may receive this delineation based on accreditation or other academic requirements (minimum GPA, pre-requisites, etc.), availability of resources, physical space limitations (such as lack of laboratory space), or already having full capacity, by requesting this designation to the Provost and Senior Academic Affairs Vice President with recommendations from the Dean of the applicable college.  Students may apply for some competitive majors as an entering freshman; in some majors, students may not apply for admission until later in their studies.  All competitive admissions programs are expected to establish benchmarks along the major pathway to encourage student success that maintains enrollment in the major. 

Programs with Competitive Admissions may additionally establish standards and/or guidelines that conditionally admit students to the major.  Students who are conditionally admitted to the major may reapply to be accepted if and when they satisfactorily complete the specific requirements by the specific date, as noted in their conditional acceptance. 

Graduate Programs

All graduate programs are considered Competitive Admission, due to the nature of graduate education. 

Continuation in an Undergraduate Majors and Progression Standards

Academic Programs, Departments, Schools, or Colleges may additionally designate Progression Standards beyond maintaining academic good standing with the University.  Failure to meet any of the progression standard of the department, program, school or college of the student's declared major may result in the student being discontinued in the major. A review will be initiated if performance issues arise. Identified deficiencies are to be based on observable behaviors and measurable performance indicators that may include ethical codes or standards important to a profession. Depending on the nature of the deficiencies identified, disciplinary action may also be initiated and imposed by the University.

The designation as a Program with Progression Standards is attained through a request to the Provost and Senior Academic Affairs Vice President with recommendations from the Dean of the applicable college. 

Adjustments to Admission and Progression Standards

In consultation with Accessibility Resources, the Department/Program may also adjust program requirements when reasonable accommodations would enable an otherwise qualified individual to successfully complete program requirements without significantly altering the program. Departments/Programs also have the right to determine if courses from other institutions may be substituted for Minnesota State University, Mankato courses as they relate to degree requirements within that Department/Program. A Department/Program, however, must accept any course equivalency determined in accordance with the Acceptance and Evaluation of Undergraduate Transfer Credits Policy.

Students Rights within the Major

Notice of students' rights and responsibilities in pursuing successful completion of program requirements will be provided in departmental brochures, the course catalog and websites. Each department/program shall inform students of any changes to program requirements.  Student appeals to gain admission or continue in a major will be supported in cases where it is determined through the appeal process that the department/program has not provided sufficient documentation of program requirements and standards. Students are afforded the following rights in decisions involving retention and/or major completion:

1. Explanation of student rights and responsibilities in demonstrating satisfactory progress and completion within a declared major;
2. advisement, fair evaluations, and assistance in identifying and meeting learning goals;
3. notice of any deficiencies;
4. an opportunity to refute the identified deficiencies and offer evidence of ability to satisfactorily correct the deficiencies; and
5. an avenue for submitting a formal, written appeal in accordance with procedures established by the program/department if dissatisfied with the outcome.

Procedure

Program Designations

 Requests for designations as Programs with Competitive Admissions and/or Progression standards shall be submitted through the Curriculum process (Curriculum Design System).

 Student Appeals

1. Students wishing to refute an oral and/or written notice of deficiencies or to challenge a ruling on equivalency may submit a written appeal to members of the department designated to hear appeals at the program/department level and/or established program/departmental admission and progress committee. This appeal should be submitted within two weeks* of receiving written or oral notice of deficiencies or ruling on equivalency. The appeal should include the basis for appealing, relevant information in support of the appeal and the remedy sought. If the appeal is made because of documented disabilities and the need for accommodation, the student should consult with Accessibility Resources, provide that individual with a copy of the materials submitted to the department, and request that relevant information be forwarded under separate copy to the student and to the department. The student should keep a copy of the appeal submitted.
2. Within two weeks* of receiving the student's appeal, the department/program shall provide written response to the student. If documented disabilities and need for accommodation are involved in the appeal, the department will consult with Accessibility Resources to ensure that appropriate accommodations have been made. If appropriate accommodations have not been offered, the department will work with Accessibility Resources to develop accommodations to be offered by the department.
3. Students not satisfied with the appeal outcome at the program/departmental level may submit a formal written appeal to the Dean of the college, with a copy to the department/program, within two weeks of receiving the departmental/program response to the original appeal. A formal appeal is a request by a student for a review of the decision-making process rather than a rehearing of the matter. The appeal should include the grounds cited for appealing, a summary of previous attempts to address the issue, relevant information in support of the appeal and the remedy sought. The student should keep a copy of the appeal submitted.
4. Upon receipt of a formal, written appeal, the Dean or designee will determine whether to support or deny the appeal or determine that an appeal hearing is warranted. If an appeal hearing is granted, the dean will form an appeal panel to serve in an advisory capacity consisting of two faculty and two students from outside the department from which the appeal originated. The student will be given adequate notice of the hearing and will be informed in writing within two weeks* of the hearing of the subsequent appeal outcome; a copy of the response should be provided to the department.
5. If the request for an appeal hearing is denied, a written response will be provided to the student within two weeks* of receiving the request indicating the reason for the denial.
6. Faculty members at the department level may submit a written statement to the Dean or designee if not satisfied with the appeal outcome asking for a review of the decision at the next level of the organization to support the consistency and integrity of program standards. This request for review of the decision should be copied to the student involved.

Note: *The time period of two weeks consists of normal university operating days during fall and spring semester when classes are held. Under unusual circumstances, deadlines may be extended. If the university representative, at any step, fails to review and/or respond within the time limits provided, the student may proceed to the next step. If the student fails to respond within the time limits provided, the appeal shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

Rationale