2026-2027 Graduate Catalog Pending SACSCOC Approval
Academic Policies and Procedures
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The graduate admissions process at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is designed to evaluate applicants holistically, ensuring they demonstrate the academic preparation, professional potential, and commitment necessary for success in advanced study.
Admission to a graduate program at GGC is competitive; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All applications are reviewed by the Office of Admissions, which issues final admission decisions. Admission is valid only for the term of entry. Applicants wishing to defer may request a one-time deferral prior to the start of the admitted semester; subsequent deferrals require a new application and fee.
1. Application Submission
Prospective students must submit the online application for graduate admission, along with the required non-refundable application fee, through the GGC Graduate Admissions Portal by the published deadline for the intended semester of enrollment.
Applicants must adhere to both the Office of Admission deadlines and any departmental deadlines:
January 1 for priority consideration, with final admission granted by February 15. Individual programs may enforce earlier deadlines.
3. Application Requirements
Applicants must provide the following materials:
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Official Transcripts from all previously attended institutions, demonstrating completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum overall cumulative GPA as determined by the program. International applicants must submit certified translations if documents are not in English.
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Program-Specific Materials, which may include letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, resume, interview, criminal background check, or additional items as required by the intended program.
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Standardized Test Scores (GRE, MAT, GMAT, or equivalent) when required by specific programs. Test scores are valid for five years; English proficiency exams are valid for two years.
4. International Student Requirements
In addition to the above, international applicants must submit:
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Proof of English Proficiency via TOEFL (minimum 80 overall, with at least 20 in speaking and writing), IELTS (minimum 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0), or successful completion of an approved Intensive English Program. Waivers may apply if a degree was earned from a U.S. or English-medium institution.
5. Immunization Requirement
All admitted students must comply with the University System of Georgia immunization policies, including proof of immunization for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), before registering for classes.
Applications are reviewed by the Office of Admissions, which makes the final admission decision. Applicants are notified of the decision via email, and if admitted, will receive next-step instructions for advising and registration.
Graduate students who fail to maintain continuous enrollment and do not register for two or more consecutive semesters within an academic year, including summer, must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions. A new application for readmission and the required non-refundable processing fee are necessary in order to be considered. Readmission is limited to the same admission classification, graduate program, and major in which the student was previously enrolled.
Students who did not secure an approved leave of absence prior to their lapse in enrollment may be subject to additional review or penalties under the Graduate Enrollment Policy. Readmission is not automatic; the Office of Admissions reviews applications, and decisions are based on prior academic performance, program capacity, and current admission standards.
II. Admission Classifications
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Non-Degree Admission: Applicants seeking personal or professional enrichment, certificate study, or coursework for certification. Limits on credit hours apply (typically 9-18 hours, depending on category). Non-degree students are not eligible for graduate assistantships or financial aid.
Students currently enrolled in a graduate program at another accredited institution may request to enroll in graduate courses at Georgia Gwinnett College as a transient student. To be admitted under this classification, applicants must:
Admission as a transient student is granted for one semester only. Students wishing to continue in transient status for additional terms must reapply and submit updated documentation each semester.
IV. Special Admission for Students Age 62 and Older
Georgia citizens who are 62 years of age or older have the option, as granted by Amendment 23 of the Georgia Constitution, of enrolling at Georgia Gwinnett College without the payment of fees, subject to the following conditions:
An eligible student may petition for the Senior Citizen Fee Waiver by filling out the waiver request form by requesting it from the Office of the Registrar.
Individuals who do not qualify as mature students (see below) must also satisfy the following:
A graduate student's course load is defined in terms of credit hours per semester. Enrollment status impacts financial aid eligibility, graduate assistantship requirements, and timely progression toward degree completion.
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Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 3 credit hours in any semester in which they use College resources (e.g., faculty advisement, laboratories, or thesis/dissertation work).
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Overload requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering academic performance, degree progression, and program requirements.
Course and resident credit used to satisfy the requirements of one degree cannot be used to satisfy the requirements of another degree, unless the student is enrolled in an approved dual degree program that allows the use of double credit.
VII. Continuous Enrollment
All graduate students at Georgia Gwinnett College must maintain minimum continuous enrollment from the time of matriculation until completion of all degree requirements. Continuous enrollment is defined as registering for at least three (3) graduate credit hours in a minimum of two semesters per academic year (fall, spring, or summer). Students must also register for at least three graduate credit hours in the semester in which they complete their degree requirements, including the term of graduation.
This policy establishes the minimum enrollment required to maintain degree-seeking status. It does not override enrollment requirements set by other programs, agencies, or funding sources, such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or federal financial aid programs, which may impose stricter standards. Students holding graduate assistantships are required to maintain full-time enrollment as defined by the College.
Students who fail to maintain continuous enrollment without an approved leave of absence will lose registration eligibility and must reapply for admission, including payment of the applicable application fee, to continue their graduate studies.
A leave of absence provides graduate students who are experiencing unusual circumstances with a temporary exemption from the continuous enrollment policy. Approval of a leave of absence requires review by the Dean of Students, Graduate Program Coordinator, and final authorization by the Dean of the School. A leave of absence is granted only for good cause, such as serious medical or health-related issues; major financial or employment disruptions; pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy and recovery, adoption or fostering of a child, child care, elder care, or other significant family obligations; and other major personal circumstances that interfere with the ability to pursue graduate study. An approved leave of absence substitutes for the minimum three-credit enrollment requirement for each semester covered by the leave. While on an approved leave, students may not use GGC facilities, resources, or services that are intended only for enrolled students, nor may they hold graduate assistantships, fellowships, or receive financial aid from the College. In addition, students may not take GGC courses related to their graduate program during the approved leave period. The time approved for a leave of absence does not count toward the overall time limits governing degree completion.
It is the responsibility of the student to apply for a leave of absence in a timely manner. An approved leave of absence does not exempt students from meeting the enrollment requirements of other agencies or programs, such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or federal financial aid programs, which may have stricter enrollment standards. Eligibility for certain types of aid, including graduate assistantships, may require enrollment at levels higher than those established by the College's continuous enrollment policy.
Applications for a leave of absence must be submitted before or during the semester in which the student will not be registered. Requests must be reviewed by the Dean of Students and received by the Graduate Program Coordinator no later than the last day of classes for the semester in question. A leave of absence will not be granted retroactively after a semester has ended. A student may request a leave of absence for one semester, two consecutive semesters, or three consecutive semesters, including summer, with a maximum duration of twelve months for any single request. Multiple requests may be submitted, but no single leave period may exceed three consecutive semesters.
IX. Graduate Transfer Credit Policy
Graduate students who have earned credit at another accredited institution may be eligible to transfer coursework into a graduate program at Georgia Gwinnett College. Transfer credit is considered only when it constitutes a logical part of the student's program of study and demonstrates appropriate content and rigor. All transfer requests require review and recommendation by the Graduate Program Coordinator and approval by the Office of the Registrar.
The maximum number of transfer hours permitted in any GGC graduate program is nine (9) semester credit hours. Only courses completed with a grade of "B" or better are eligible for transfer, and coursework must fall within the time limit for degree completion. Courses previously used to fulfill the requirements of another degree program, whether at GGC or another institution, may not be applied toward a GGC graduate degree.
Transfer credit may not be used to satisfy residency requirements, and grades earned at other institutions will not be calculated into the student's GGC graduate GPA. All official transcripts and requests for transfer credit must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than the midpoint of the semester in which the student intends to graduate.
Graduate students must meet both program-level academic requirements and institutional/administrative requirements in order to be awarded a degree from Georgia Gwinnett College.
1. Program-Level Academic Requirements
To complete a graduate degree, a student must:
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Satisfy all program-specific requirements, which may include comprehensive or terminal examinations, exit assessments, thesis defense, or residency requirements.
2. Institutional and Administrative Requirements
In addition to program requirements, students must also:
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Satisfy all non-academic obligations, including clearance of outstanding accounts, fees, or holds, as confirmed by the Office of the Registrar.
The time limit to complete a Master's degree is seven years. Courses counting toward the degree may not have been taken more than seven (7) years prior to the degree completion date.
For graduate credit at Georgia Gwinnett College, students must earn a minimum grade of "B" in any course applied toward a graduate degree. To be awarded a graduate degree, a student must not be on academic probation, must hold a cumulative institutional GPA of 3.0 or higher on all graduate coursework attempted and on all courses included in the program of study, and must satisfy the requirements of the student's academic program. Students completing a thesis or capstone project must be enrolled in the semester in which degree requirements are finalized. Courses for which a minimum grade of "B" has already been earned may not be repeated for additional credit unless explicitly permitted by the academic program's departmental policy.
Specific courses, including thesis, capstone, practicum, and internship experiences, may be graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) basis. A grade of "S" indicates that credit has been awarded for successful completion of the course and the credit hours may be applied toward degree requirements. A grade of "U" reflects unsatisfactory performance and the credit hours may not be applied toward degree completion. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grades are not included in the calculation of the graduate grade point average.
XIII. Incomplete and In-Progress Grades
An Incomplete ("I") grade may be assigned when a student is performing satisfactory work but is unable to complete all course requirements within the semester due to non-academic reasons beyond the student's control. It is the student's responsibility to consult with the instructor regarding the completion of outstanding coursework. is responsible for maintaining a record of the work completed, the work remaining, and the justification for assigning the "I" grade.
Incomplete grades should be resolved during the following semester. At the instructor's discretion, students may be allowed an extension to complete the outstanding requirements. Coursework must be completed under the supervision of the original instructor; students should not re-register for the course to resolve an "I" grade. If the requirements are not satisfied by the end of the following semester, unless otherwise extended, the "I" will convert to a grade of "F" on the student's transcript, as processed by the Office of the Registrar.
The grade of "IP" (In-Progress) is used for graduate courses that require work to extend beyond a single semester, such as thesis, capstone, or project-based courses formally approved for this grading symbol. The "IP" grade indicates that credit has not yet been awarded and that continuation of work is expected. The "IP" grade may not be substituted for an Incomplete ("I") grade and is not available for use in standard coursework.
XIV. Graduate Academic Standing
All graduate students, whether degree-seeking or non-degree seeking, must maintain a minimum institutional grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on all graduate coursework to remain in good academic standing. Courses with grades below C (2.0) may not be applied toward a graduate degree program of study. Degree-seeking students must also hold an overall and institutional cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible for admission to candidacy and for graduation.
When a graduate course is repeated, all attempts will be used in calculating the institutional graduate GPA for the purposes of probation, dismissal, admission to candidacy, and graduation. Students will not be cleared for graduation if they have any unresolved grades of Incomplete (I) or In Progress (IP) on their record that, once resolved, would result in an institutional GPA below the 3.0 minimum requirement.
XV. Probation & Dismissal
Graduate students at Georgia Gwinnett College must maintain a minimum institutional GPA of 3.0 in all graduate coursework to remain in good academic standing. A student whose institutional GPA falls below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters will be placed on academic probation. While on probation, the student must earn a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher each term until the institutional GPA returns to at least 3.0. If a student on probation earns below a 3.0 in any subsequent semester, the student will be dismissed from the graduate program. When a course is repeated, all attempts will be used in the GPA calculation for the purposes of probation, dismissal, admission to candidacy, and graduation. Grades of Satisfactory (S), Unsatisfactory (U), Incomplete (I), and In Progress (IP) are excluded from GPA calculations; however, if an Incomplete grade converts to an F, that grade may result in probation or dismissal, even if the student is not enrolled in the semester when the conversion occurs.
Graduate programs may also dismiss students for reasons beyond GPA deficiencies. Grounds for dismissal include failure to pass comprehensive or other required examinations, inadequate academic progress, failure to meet program-specific requirements, violations of the academic honor code, violations of Title IX or non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, research misconduct, or violations of ethical and professional standards outlined in the program handbook. Programs must notify the Office of Registrar of all program-level dismissals, which will result in dismissal from the College unless the student remains in good standing in another GGC graduate program.
Graduate students on academic probation must meet with their program advisor prior to registration and complete a .
Students holding graduate assistantships may continue their appointments while on academic probation unless the major professor, Graduate Program Coordinator, and academic dean determine that the assistantship responsibilities are contributing to poor academic performance. In such cases, adjustments to the assistantship or funding source may be made. If a student is dismissed from the College, all assistantship support is terminated.
Students dismissed for academic reasons may appeal the decision to the Provost's Office after exhausting program-level and school-level appeals. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Provost's Office within thirty calendar days of the dismissal notification.
Students who are dismissed may reapply for admission to the same program or to a different graduate program after a period of one year, unless the dismissal was the result of academic dishonesty, research misconduct, violations of ethical or professional standards, or violations of Title IX or non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies. In those instances, the dismissal is final.
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