Policy R-18

Title: PERMISSION TO TAKE COURSES AT ANOTHER INSTITUTION
Number: R-18
Date of Inception: June 29, 1984

Purpose: To allow students of record at Charleston Southern University to take courses at another institution for transfer back to CSU.

Students enrolled at Charleston Southern University are expected to complete their coursework in residence. Exceptions to this policy are considered only on a case-by-case basis. Charleston Southern University reserves the right not to accept courses for which permission has not been granted. All students must obtain advance, written approval from the University Registrar before enrolling in classes elsewhere. Transfer credit brings in hours earned and letter grade, but not quality points. Minimum grade for undergraduate credit is a “C”. Minimum grade for graduate credit is a “B”.

Fall and Spring Term
CSU engages in consortium agreements with some colleges and universities. Several institutions in the Charleston area offer "Cross-Registration" opportunities when there are special academic needs. Forms are available in the Registrar's Office. Agreements between CSU and other institutions may exist which apply to specific academic programs. Consult program directors or academic department advisors for more information.

Summer Semester
If a student’s permanent residence is over 50 miles away from the campus, a student may request permission to enroll part-time at an accredited institution near his his/her home during the summer semester by completing the Request To Take Courses at Another Institution.

If a student wants to attend the College of Charleston, The Citadel or Trident Technical College, permission must be obtained first by the Dean or Department Head of the student’s major and then the University Registrar. The student must submit the Request To Take Courses at Another Institution.

In order to have an exception considered, students must have completed the previous semester with a GPA of 2.00 or higher and be in good academic standing. Permission will be considered in cases where students are out of sequence in their major and CSU is not offering the necessary course(s). Reasons NOT considered to be enrolled in courses elsewhere include – but are not limited to – the following:

Course is less expensive elsewhere.

Course is closer to home or work.

Course is offered at a more convenient time to accommodate work or personal schedules, etc.

Course may be easier at another University.

 

Student Responsibilities

Current students who desire to take coursework at another accredited institution must complete and receive approval by obtaining necessary signatures on a "Request to Take Courses At Another Institution" form (RO-117). It is the student's responsibility to obtain all necessary signatures. Failure to receive approval prior to taking courses at another institution may result in courses not being accepted by CSU.

Approval Process

The following steps must be completed by a student to obtain approval to take coursework at another college or university.

Step 1 - Obtain and complete a "Request Form" including name, CSU ID or social security number, address, phone number, institution at which course(s) are to be taken, course(s) title and number and credit hours. A separate form must be completed for each institution a student desires to attend.

Step 2 - The Registrar's Office will: (1) verify that the requestor is a student of record at Charleston Southern University and (2) that the external institution to be attended is accredited.

Step 3 - The student should contact the appropriate department chairperson for each course requested. If a requested course is approved, the department chairperson should sign the "Request Form" and record the Charleston Southern University course for which the external course will be substituted. In the absence of the department chairperson, the appropriate Academic Dean may, at his/her discretion, approve the requested courses. The Registrar may also approve courses that are routinely accepted in the transfer process, or are preapproved and listed in existing articulation agreements.

Step 4 - Upon receiving approval from the appropriate department chairperson for each course requested, the student must return the "Request Form" to the Registrar's Office. The University Registrar will sign and the student will distribute the copies as follows: (1) external institution, (2) CSU Registrar, and (3) him/herself.

NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to request that an official transcript of grades be forwarded back to CSU after completion of approved coursework.

By action of the Academic Council on June 29, 1984, revisions approved by the Provost August 23, 2000, and revisions made on February 20, 2008, by the University Registrar to reflect Cross-Registration agreement changes approved by the local Charleston Higher Education Consortium (which included CSU approval by the VPAA in 2007). Revised by Faculty Senate on March 8, 2011.