Undergraduate Catalog

Division of Academic Affairs
USF St. Petersburg Bay 204
140 Seventh Avenue South,
St. Petersburg Florida 33701
Phone: 727-873-4885

Acrobat .pdf documents require
the free reader - obtain it here.

This web page is maintained by: Susan Ballinger.
The page was last updated
8/27/09 .

 

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

     The Office of Admissions & Records maintains the official academic records for all students and course registrations for currently enrolled students.  Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions & Records about general questions concerning academic policies and procedures of their current registration or academic record.

Note: Each student must be aware of the University’s academic policies and procedures insofar as they affect him/her.

Academic Regulations and Information

Semester System

     USF St. Petersburg operates on a semester system. Semes             ters begin in August and January with Summer Sessions beginning in May and June. See Academic Calendar for appropriate dates.

Academic Load

     The maximum load of an undergraduate student is 18 hours (Fall & Spring semesters) and 14 hours (Summer Term) unless approval is received from the dean or an authorized representative of the student’s college. Students classified as Undecided must receive approval from the freshman/sophomore advisors in the Advising Center. In the Fall or Spring Semester 12 hours is the minimum load for a student to be considered as full-time.

Full-time Undergraduate Student Definition - Summer Term

Sessions “A” & “B” (6 weeks)

For: Academic purposes - 6 hours or more each session

For: Financial aid - Students must enroll for 12 hours (undergraduate) in any combination of Sessions “A,” “B”, and “C.”

Session “C” (10 weeks)

For: Academic purposes - 9 hours or more

For: Financial aid - Students must enroll for 12 hours (undergraduate) in any combination of Sessions “A,” “B”, and “C.”

     Students receiving Veterans Administration benefits should confirm their Summer Term enrollment with the Office of Veterans Services or Veterans Coordinator.

     Undergraduates may not enroll in 6000-level courses or higher without approval of the college/department in which the course is offered.

Availability of Courses

     USF St. Petersburg does not commit itself to offer all the courses, programs, and majors listed in this catalog unless there is sufficient demand to justify them. Some courses, for example, may be offered only in alternate semesters or years, or even less frequently if there is little demand.

Transfer of Credit to USF

     USF will accept credits only from those institutions accredited by one of the accrediting agencies/commissions recognized by USF.  However, USF St. reserves the right to deny credit for specific courses. The receipt and evaluation of total transfer credit are the responsibility of the Office of Admissions & Records. The college of the student’s major will determine which courses are applicable toward a specific degree and will assign equivalent courses (see Evaluation of Transfer of Credit under Admissions and Related Matters).

     USF subscribes fully to all of the provisions of the statewide Articulation Agreement (Rule 6A-10.024) and strongly recommends that students complete the Associate of Arts degree, or in certain prior approved areas, the Associate of Science degree, before transferring.  Special details for students who do not plan to complete the associate's degree requirements are available from the Office of Admissions & Records. Also, all transfer students should refer to other entries about undergraduate transfers in the Admissions section of this catalog.

Former Student Returning

     The Office of Admissions & Records will evaluate the acceptability of transfer of credits taken at regionally-accredited institutions since last enrolled at USF. The college of the student’s major will determine which courses are applicable for his/her major. In some instances, exact course equivalents will also be determined by other colleges that offer the same or similar course(s) as a part of their programs of study.

Continuously Enrolled Degree-Seeking Student

     The Office of Admissions & Records will determine the acceptability of transfer credits for continuing, degree-seeking students who take courses at regionally accredited institutions.  However, PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL MUST BE OBTAINED from the college of the student’s major if these credits are to be applicable to the USF degree program.  A properly-executed Transient Student form or Cross Enrollment form should be used for this purpose.

Registration for Admitted Degree-Seeking Students

     Continuing degree-seeking students register by appointment for their next semester’s courses during the preceding term, either by internet or in person (regional campuses only).  Appointment times and instructions for all registration periods may be viewed on USF's OASIS on-line schedule of classes for the appropriate semester.

     Prior to initial registration, all newly admitted undergraduate students and readmitted former undergraduate students returning are required to participate in an orientation/academic advising program. Newly admitted students and readmitted Former Students Returning receive orientation information by calling (727) 873-4181, advising information by calling (727) 873-4511, and registration information by calling (727) 873-4142.

     Registered students may make schedule adjustments in the regular registration period during the preceding term or in the drop/add period during the first week of classes. (Deadline information is available in the Academic Calendar.)

     Degree-seeking students who do not register prior to the first day of classes may late-register the first week of classes.  A $100.00 late registration fee is charged during this week.  (See the section on fees for additional information and the appropriate term’s Schedule of Classes for dates.)  To avoid cancellation of registration, fees are due and payable for all registered courses of record on the fifth day of classes (end of drop/add period).  (See Academic Calendar for dates.)

NOTE:  A Mandatory Medical History Form is required for all students (regardless of age).  According to Florida Administrative Code Rule 6C-6.001(4), “Each student accepted for admission shall, prior to registration submit on a form, provided by the institution, a medical history signed by the student.”

Immunization Policy ( Policy Number 33-002 )

  • Introduction

The University of South Florida requires the following immunizations for registration and specific immunization in order to be eligible for on-campus housing

  • Statement of Policy
  • ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE:

    • MEASLES – proof of immunity if born after 12/31/1956
    • RUBELLA – proof of immunity if born after 12/31/1956
    • HEPATITIS B – proof of immunity or signed waiver declining the vaccine
    • MENINGITIS – proof of immunity or signed waiver declining the vaccine except as listed below

    IN ADDITION, STUDENTS ELECTING TO LIVE IN ON-CAMPUS HOUSING MUST HAVE:

    MENINGITIS – Medical documentation of immunization with Meningitis vaccine.  Declining by waiver of this vaccine is not acceptable for students in on-campus housing.  No student will be assigned housing without proof of vaccine.

    MEDICAL HISTORY FORM (required of all students regardless of age)

    All students must complete the USF Mandatory Immunization Health History Form www.sa.usf.edu/iform

      • PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION

    Proof of immunization that will be accepted for each disease is as follows:

    1.     MEASLES

    a.     Medical documentation of immunization with TWO (2) doses of live measles virus vaccine on or after the first birthday and administered at least 28 days apart.  Persons vaccinated with killed or an unknown vaccine prior to 1968 must be revaccinated. Persons born before 1957 may be considered to have had a natural infection and, therefore, do not need measles vaccine.   The documented date of immunization for measles should indicate the day, month, and year.  However, only month and year will suffice if the month and year indicate that the immunization was given at least 13 months after the month of birth OR

    b.     Copy of laboratory serologic [IgG] evidence of measles immunity (lgG rubeloa titer) OR

    c.     A written, dated statement signed by a physician on his or her stationery, that specifies the date seen, and states that the person has had an illness characterized by a generalized rash lasting three (3) or more days, a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, a cough, and conjunctivitis, and, in the physician's opinion, is diagnosed to have had the 10 day measles (rubeola).

           2. RUBELLA

    a.     Medical documentation of immunization with live rubella virus vaccine on or after the first birthday. The documented date of immunization for rubella should indicate the day, month, and year.  However, only month and year will suffice if the month and year indicate that the immunization was given at least 13 months after the month of birth OR

    b.     Copy of laboratory serologic evidence of rubella immunity (lgG rubella titer).

    3.     HEPATITIS B

    a.     Medical documentation of immunization with 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine OR

    b.    Copy of laboratory serologic evidence of Hepatitis B immunity (anti-HBs titer)

    4.     MENINGITIS

    a.     Medical documentation of immunization with Meningitis vaccine

    E. EXEMPTIONS

    1.     RELIGIOUS - For religious exemption applications, contact USF Student Health Services

    2.     MEDICAL – Requests for temporary or permanent medical exemptions must be submitted to USF Student Health Services by the attending physician, must include reason for exemption and duration of exemption.

    In the event of a disease outbreak, student exempted from immunization requirements may be requested by the University, at the direction of the public health officials, to show titer proof of immunity, become immunized, or remain off campus for the duration of the outbreak.All requests for exemptions will be reviewed to ensure consistency in application.

    F. CONSEQUENCES

    Students who fail to comply with the requirements as stated above will be blocked from registration and/or on-campus housing assignment.  In specific circumstances, a temporary override may be granted, however, vaccination requirements must be completed before any further registration in subsequent terms will be permitted and current registration may be suspended if any deficiency in immunization status is identified.

     

SUS Health Insurance Requirement for International Students

The State University System of Florida requires that all international students have medical insurance in order to register for classes at USF.

 

Academic Advising for Undergraduate Students

     USF St. Petersburg seeks to guide all students in selecting programs and courses best suited to their personal abilities, educational interests, and career objectives. Students who have been admitted to the University should meet regularly, by appointment, with their Academic Adviser in the Academic Advising Center located in Davis Hall 134. This Center also serves as an initial point of contact for non-admitted, prospective, and/or non-degree seeking students who need information about the University’s academic structure.

     All students are encouraged to establish an advising relationship with the Academic Advising Center and periodically visit their advisors to keep abreast of any policy, procedural, or curriculum changes that may affect them. In fact, some colleges require advisor approval of student programs each semester. It is important for students to keep in mind that, although the University provides advising services to assist students with academic planning, it is each student’s responsibility to see that all graduation requirements are met.

Initial Advising and Registration

     It is necessary that all students meet with their academic advisors prior to first-class registration. The purpose of this initial contact is to provide the advising unit with routine information to assist it in collecting and maintaining the necessary records to assure the student’s proper progress toward education goals. Transfer students should bring an unofficial or student copy of their transcript(s) to this advising session.

Declaration of Major

           First-year students often enter the university undecided about their career plans and intended majors and that usually creates little difficulty for them.  Many of the more than 24 undergraduate majors at USFSP allow students considerable options in their early course choices. Conversely, many other majors, and often the most popular majors, require completion of particular courses within the first two years. In fields, such as education, business, and graphic design, students must satisfy state mandated course prerequisites and complete specific general education courses during the first two years to be admitted to those major as juniors and to allow graduation on a timely basis.

     It clearly is advantageous for students to make early decisions about their majors to be on track and to remain on-track toward their degrees and to graduate in a timely manner.  Students are urged to declare a major upon entry to the university. If they are unable to formally choose or declare a major or a pre-major they should follow the multi-semester inquiry-based (for undecided) curricula that best matches their interests.

     All students must be officially declared in a major or a pre-major before they register for more than 36 credits.  Beginning Fall Semester 2005, FTIC students who will have completed 36 or more credits at the end of the term in which they are enrolled will not be allowed to register for further credit coursework at the university until they have declared a major or pre-major.

Transfer students must declare their majors upon entry to the university. Many resources are made available by the university to assist students in making career decisions and choosing their majors. Information about these resources is readily available from academic advisors. All entering FTIC students who have not made a career/major decision upon entry to the university will be required to follow one of the multi-semester inquiry-based (for undecided) curricula offered by the university and enroll in the University Experience or Career Development Process course.

Advising for Limited Access Programs

     Students are cautioned that admission to the University does not imply admission to all the programs and courses offered by the individual colleges; this is especially true with respect to colleges and programs with limited-access programs. Colleges such as Business, Education, and the Program in Graphic Design have been designated as limited-access colleges and require completion of certain prerequisites before a student may declare a major offered by one of the colleges or programs. It is important that students check the college sections of the catalog for advising and admission requirements.  Students planning to enter a limited-access program should be aware that their admission by the college may be denied or delayed and should be prepared with alternative plans of action. 

Course Attendance at First Class Meeting

     This policy has been put into effect so that USF St. Petersburg may effectively utilize classroom space and to insure that all students have maximum opportunity to enroll in classes where demand exceeds availability of seats.

     Students are required to attend the first class meeting of undergraduate courses for which they registered prior to the first day of the term.  Names of students who register prior to the first day of the term are printed on the first class roll for each course section.  The first class roll may be used by professors to drop students who do not attend the first day of class.  Students having extenuating circumstances beyond their control and who are unable to attend the first class meeting must notify the instructor or the department prior to the first class meeting to request waiver of the first class attendance requirement. Students who add courses or late-register during the first week of classes will not be on the first class roll and, therefore, will not be dropped for non-attendance by the instructor.  To avoid fee liability and academic penalty, the student is responsible for insuring that he/she has dropped or been dropped from all undesired courses by the end of the 5th day of classes.

     This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories:  Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practicums, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty.

General Attendance

     Only officially registered students or students approved to audit a class are entitled to attend class. Students are responsible for being aware of all instructor-based and University issued attendance policies and the requirements of the registrar for enrollment, drop/add and fee liability. Students are responsible for completing the academic requirements of each class as defined by the instructor and as set forth in any class syllabus. An instructor may make attendance mandatory and may impose penalties, including failing a class, for excessive absences. It is university policy that student absences will be excused for military duty, jury duty, and religious days (as set forth in University policy 10-045). Excused absences for other documented reasons may be allowed at the discretion of the instructor. Though excused, the student is responsible for completing all academic work, examinations, assignments and labs in a timely fashion.

Procedures for Excused Absences and Make-up Work

      Students are expected to notify their instructors at the beginning of each academic term if they intend to be absent from a class or announced examination for the approved reason as noted above in accordance with this policy. In the event that a student is absent for one of these noted reasons on a day when the instructor collects work for purposes of grading (homework, quiz, etc.), the student shall be given a reasonable opportunity to make up such work or shall not have that work averaged into the student's grade, at the discretion of the instructor.

      If excused for an absence, the student is responsible for completing all academic work, examinations, assignments, and labs within a period of time and in a manner deemed appropriate by the instructor. The manner for accommodating excused absences appropriately is in the hands of the instructor, but a student who is absent for an excused reason should not be at a disadvantage when compared to other students. The approved reasons for excused absences apply even if a student in a course has the option of dropping an assignment grade (e.g., dropping the lowest quiz score). Excused absences for other reasons may be allowed or declined entirely at the discretion of the instructor.

      Even if individual absences are excused, excessive absences may threaten a student's satisfactory completion of a course. Absences may count from the first class meeting, including for students who hope to add the class after the first day.

Jury Duty

     The University respects the need for all citizens to serve on a jury when called to duty.  If a student serves as a juror, class absences will be considered excused when the student provides advance notice to the instructor, the instructor acknowledges the request, and the student provides written verification of jury selection and proof of service. It is important to note that excused absence only applies to physical presence, and not to the academic work missed. A student, though excused, is responsible for all academic work, examinations, assignments and labs if applicable. These issues are unique to University students and clearly may present undue hardship for a student to serve while enrolled in an active course of study. 

     Any potential student juror may notify the court of conflicts or undue hardship and request an excuse from service. The individual student must make the decision as to whether jury service will present an undue hardship and then take the affirmative action to request to be excused from service and may need to provide a written explanation to the court. If a student does not request to be excused and is selected to serve, the student may miss a prolonged period of time resulting in the inability to complete the academic requirements of classes.

Documented Medical Attention for Illness

      Students are excused for absences from documented illnesses that require medical attention. While students should not attend class with infectious conditions, even if medical attention is not sought, the decision to excuse absences from undocumented illnesses is at the discretion of the individual instructor. Consideration should also be given to students whose dependent children experience serious illness. Extended illnesses may interfere with the satisfactory completion of courses, and in such cases a student should contact his or her college by the deadline to drop a course. After the drop deadline, students may submit an Academic Regulations Committee (ARC) petition with proper documentation to drop a course or withdraw for medical reasons. Students may find additional information through their college ARC representative.

Early Notification of Instructor Requirement for University Sponsored Activities

      The University recognizes the importance of participation in University-sponsored activities such as music performances, athletic competition, and debate. It also recognizes that such participation may result in conflicts with scheduled class times. It is the responsibility of participating students to provide a full list of anticipated conflicting days to instructors by the end of the first week of the term, and directors and advisors of University activity programs have an obligation to assist students with this task. Students are responsible for identifying potential absences specific to a particular class; a general schedule for a team or ensemble does not satisfy this requirement. Students should provide instructors with addenda and changes to scheduled conflicts (e.g., end-of-season tournaments, newly scheduled events, or rescheduled events) as soon as they are available. Directors and advisors of University activity programs should consult with participating students prior to registration to help them choose courses that do not have excessive anticipated conflicts

Religious Days

     The university has an official Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days (University policy 10-045) which provides that all students, faculty, and staff at the University have a right to expect that the University will reasonably accommodate their religious observances, practices and beliefs. 

     Students are expected to attend classes and take examinations as determined by the University. The University will, at the beginning of each academic term, provide written notice of the class schedule and formal examination periods.  The university, through its faculty, will make every attempt to schedule required classes and examinations in view of customarily observed religious holidays of those religious groups or communities comprising the University's constituency. No student shall be compelled to attend class or sit for an examination at a day or time prohibited by his or her religious belief.

     Students are expected to notify their instructors at the beginning of each academic term or as provided in the course syllabus if they intend to be absent for a class or announced examination, in accordance with this policy.  Students absent for religious reasons will be given reasonable opportunities to make up any work missed in the event that a student is absent for religious reasons on a day when the instructor collects work for purposes of grading (homework, pop quiz, etc), the student shall be given a reasonable opportunity to make up such work or shall not have that work averaged into the student's grade at the discretion of the instructor.  Any student who believes that he or she has been treated unfairly with regard to the above may seek review of a complaint through established University Academic Grievance Procedures (found in the Graduate and Undergraduate Catalogs) and those provided by the University's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

Schedule Changes

     PLEASE NOTE: Class days, times and room assignments are subject to change as late as the first day of classes.  For updates, please check OASIS at www.stpt.usf.edu.  Click on “Class Schedule Search.”

Adds

     After a student has completed his/her registration on the date assigned, he/she may add courses on a space-available basis until the add deadline specified in the Academic Calendar.  See the appropriate semester’s University Schedule of Classes for detailed instructions and dates.

Drops

     A student may drop a course(s) during the regular registration and drop/add periods (first five days of classes).  No entry of the course(s) will appear on any permanent academic records and full refund of fees is due for course(s) dropped within those periods.

     A student may also drop a course(s) between the second and tenth week of the semester (except for Summer sessions - see the Summer Schedule of Classes for dates).  Registration fees must be paid for the course(s) and the academic record will reflect a “W” grade for the dropped course(s).  Courses dropped after the ninth week deadline (see Academic Calendar for date) will result in an automatic “F” grade.

Auditing Privileges and Fees

     A student who wishes to sit in on a class to review the course material may do so; however, the student is not allowed to take exams, earn grades, or receive credit. The student’s status for that class is an audit and his/her presence in the classroom is as a listener.  A student must register to audit courses during the late registration period.  (No audit registrations are processed during the regular registration periods.)  Fees for audit are the same as for full enrollment for credit except out-of-state tuition is not charged.  See University Schedule of Classes for detailed instructions and dates.

Cancellation Before First Class Day

     Students may cancel their registration by notifying the Office of the Admissions & Records in writing prior to the first day of classes. If fees have already been paid, the student may request a full refund of fees from the Cashier’s Office.

Withdrawal

     A student may withdraw from the University without academic penalty during the first ten weeks of any term (except for Summer Sessions).  He/she must submit a completed Withdrawal Form to the Office of Admissions & Records.  No entry is made on the academic record for withdrawals submitted during the first week of the term.  All subsequent withdrawals (through the tenth week of classes in the Fall and Spring Semesters) are posted to the academic record with “W” grades assigned to the courses.  Withdrawal deadlines for the Summer sessions are listed in the Academic Calendar and are published in the Schedule of Classes for the Summer Term.  Students who withdraw may not continue to attend classes.

     Students who withdraw during the drop/add period as stated in the Academic Calendar may receive a full refund of fees.  All refunds must be requested in writing from the Cashier’s Office.  No refund is allowed after this period except for specified reasons.  See Refund of Fees under Financial Information for complete details.

Repeat Course Surcharges

     Initiated by the Florida Legislature (H.B. 1545 of 1997) to reduce costs, all state universities must monitor undergraduate student progress and charge students the full cost of instruction for certain repeats of undergraduate courses.  This policy became effective Fall 1997 and requires USF St. Petersburg to charge students a substantial per-credit-hour surcharge when they attempt a course three or more times at USF, unless the course is specifically designed to be repeated or is required to be repeated by their major. Requirements to earn a passing or higher grade than previously earned in a course do not exempt the surcharge.  Students will be required to pay the surcharge in addition to the appropriate in-state or out-of-state tuition rates.  It is important to note that all attempts count, including withdrawals after the first week of classes and courses with incomplete grades.

The University may grant exceptions to this rule based on extenuating circumstances and financial hardship. However, the University may only approve one appeal per course.  The exceptions included in the Statute are extenuating circumstances and financial hardship and are defined as follows:

     Extenuating circumstances are those circumstances determined by the University to be exceptional and beyond the control of the student and may include but not be limited to serious illness, documented medical condition preventing completion; death of an immediate family member, involuntary call to active duty, university error, other emergency circumstances or extraordinary situations.

     The criteria used by the University for determining financial hardship should include, but not be limited to, qualification for federal need-based financial aid. Students with other documented financial hardships may also be considered.

     The student must fill out a Fee Adjustment Request Form and indicate the request is for a waiver of the repeat course surcharge.  He/she must also submit a statement that explains the request and provide all documentation relating to it.  The completed form with documentation should be submitted to the Office of Records & Registration for consideration.  If a student’s request is denied, he/she may appeal the decision to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Transcript Information

     Transcripts of a student's USF academic record may be released only by authorization of the student online at http://usfonline.admin.usf.edu/ or in person by writing to the Office of the Registrar.  By law, requests must include the student's identification number, the date and the student's signature or must be affected online via the student's 6-digit self-assigned personal identification number (PIN), which is essentially the student's electronic signature.  In order for transcripts to be issued, the student must have no financial obligations to the University.  Transcripts are normally mailed/ready for pick-up within two working days after the request is received.  USF Transcript Request forms are available in the following offices:  Tampa Campus Registrar's Office, regional campuses' Records & Registration offices, and all campuses' Cashier's offices.

     Letter requests must include:  (1) date of request and student's current address; (2) student ID number and full name; (3) name and complete address of recipient; and (4) number of copies and special instructions, such as, "hold for degree statement" or "hold for current term grades," and the student's signature.  Degree statements are posted approximately four to six weeks after the final exams end.  If grades for the current term are needed, clearly indicate that the transcript request is to be held for grades. 

     To order transcripts by mail, send payment ($10.00 per copy, check or money order only) and Request Form or letter to: 

           University of South Florida

           Transcript Clerk, Registrar's Office

           4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1034

           Tampa, FL  33620-6950

     To order a transcript in person, hand carry payment (check, money order or cash) and Request Form or letter to a USF Cashier's Office at any of the following Campus locations:

           Tampa - ADM 131

           St. Petersburg - Davis Hall, Rm. 129

           Sarasota - Lobby, Building D

           Lakeland (Drop Box) - Bldg. E, Rm. 2127

     Transcript request forms are available in these locations.  Students may complete the request process in one stop at the cashier's office.  Note:  Transcript fees are subject to change.

College Level Academic Skills Test

     The College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) is a part of Florida’s system of educational accountability. CLAST is a state-mandated achievement test that measures attainment of communication and mathematics skills expected of students completing their sophomore year in college. These skills were identified by the faculties of community colleges and state universities and adopted by the State Board of Education. A student must pass the CLAST or achieve alternate criteria to receive an Associate in Arts or a baccalaureate degree from any Florida public institution.

     Please Note: CLAST exemptions or waivers are not acceptable for admission to or graduation from programs in the College of Education.

     The CLAST requirement is considered met for any student entering the university with an A.A. from a Florida public college or university or a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited or comparable international institution. 

     The State Board of Education has established minimum CLAST score standards for awarding the Associate in Arts degree and for the baccalaureate degree from October 1, 1992 as follows: Reading, 295; English Language Skills, 295; Mathematics, 295; and Essay, 6.

     CLAST may be taken by undergraduate, degree-seeking students who have earned 18 semester hours or the equivalent and who apply to take the test on or before the deadline established for registration. Students at USF are required to take the CLAST by the time they complete 45 semester hours. First-time-in-college and lower-level transfer students are encouraged to take the CLAST as early as possible. Transfer students should take the CLAST the first semester they are enrolled as degree-seeking students if they have already exceeded the 45 hours from previous institutions.

     If the CLAST requirement has not been satisfied by the time a student completes 60 semester hours, the student may not register for classes until he/she has visited the following website: http://www.ugs.usf.edu/student/CLAST/index.htm. A course or method of preparation to remediate content covered in the failed subtest(s) will be selected and required. Further registration may be restricted for failure to attend the designated preparation. 

     If the CLAST requirement has not been satisfied after completing 60 hours of coursework, a student may enroll in up to 36 hours of additional 3000-4000 level coursework. At this point, course registration will be restricted to 1000 and 2000 level courses. Students seeking information regarding appropriate CLAST preparatory options should schedule an appointment with their academic advisor by calling 727-873-4511.  Further registration at USF will be denied for failure to complete the required preparation.

     Students may receive exemptions for the CLAST examination by achieving specific EACT or SAT-I scores, or by earning a 2.5 GPA in specific courses. Exemptions are awarded for the communication subtests of CLAST if an SAT-I Verbal score of 500 or an EACT English score of 21 and an EACT Reading score of 22 are achieved. Exemptions are awarded for the mathematics CLAST subtest if an SAT-I Mathematics score of 500 or an EACT Mathematics score of 21 is earned. Students receive exemptions from the CLAST communication subtests if a 2.5 GPA is achieved in at least six hours of ENC 1101 and ENC 1102.  Exemptions from the CLAST mathematics subtest are issued when students have earned a 2.5 GPA in at least six hours of MAC 1105 or higher, MGF 1106 or higher and STA 1022 or higher. Any combination of these courses is permissible, providing only one statistics course is used to calculate the six-hour mathematics GPA. A maximum of four hours of credit earned through AP, IB, CLEP or other acceptable equivalency programs may be used toward qualification for each CLAST exemption.

     Waivers from individual CLAST subtests are granted in two situations: 1) a specific documented learning disability prevents the student from achieving the skills set forth in SBE 6A-10.0316 (consult with Academic Support and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities) and; 2) a student has successfully completed courses related to a specific subtest, but has failed to satisfy the CLAST requirement with a passing score or an exemption. After failing a CLAST subtest four times and successfully completing a specific three-hour course related to the failed subtest, a student may apply for a waiver by submitting appropriate documentation to the student's college CLAST coordinator.  A list of approved courses to satisfy this requirement is available at http://www.ugs.usf.edu/student/clast/index.htm.

Courses to Satisfy Rule 6A-10.030 (“Gordon Rule”)

     Prior to receipt of an Associate in Arts degree from a public community college or university or prior to entry into the upper division of a public university or college, a student shall complete successfully the following:

a.  Six (6) semester hours of English coursework and six (6) semester hours of additional coursework in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments.  Each institution shall designate the courses that fulfill the writing requirements of this section.  These course designations shall be submitted to the Statewide Course Numbering System.  An institution to which a student transfers shall accept courses so designated by the sending institution as meeting the writing requirements outlined in this section.
b.  Six (6) semester hours of mathematics coursework at the level of college algebra or higher.  For the purposes of this rule, applied logic, statistics and other such computation coursework which may not be placed within a mathematics department may be used to fulfill three (3) hours of the six (6) hours required by this section.
c.  Students awarded college credit in English based on their demonstration of writing skills through dual enrollment, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate instruction pursuant to Rule 6A-10.024, F.A.C., and students awarded college credit based on their demonstration of mathematics skills at the level of college algebra or higher through one (1) or more of the acceleration mechanisms in Rule 6A-10.024, F.A.C., shall be considered to have satisfied the requirements in subsection 6A-10.030(2), F.A.C., to the extent of the college credit awarded.

Note: The Gordon Rule communication and computation requirements are considered met for any student entering the university with an A.A. from a Florida public community college.  Gordon Rule communication requirement is considered met for any student entering the university with 60 or more hours. All State of Florida University and Community College labeled Gordon Rule are applicable to this requirement.

Communication (12 Semester Hours)

AFA 4150
Africa and the United States 3
ANT 4241 Magic and Religion 3
ANT 4432 Thi Individual and Culture 3
ANT 4935 Rethinking Anthropology 3
ARH 4724 History of Graphic Design 4
CRW 2100 Narrative and Description 3
CRW 3111 Form and Technique of Fiction 3
EEX 4742 Narrative Perspectives on Exceptionality  
  Cultural and Ethical Issues 3
ENC 1101 Composition I 3
ENC 1102 Compostion II 3
ENC 2210 Technical Writing 3
ENC 3250 Professional Writing 3
ENC 3310 Expository Writing 3
FIL 3845 World Cinema 4
GEO 4372 Global Conservation 4
HIS 4936 Pro-Seminar in History 4
LAE 4414 Teaching Literature in the Elementary  
  School, Grades K-6 3
LAE 4416 Teaching Literature and Writing in the  
  Elementary Grades 3
LAE 4464 Adolescent Literature for Middle and  
  Secondary Students 3
LIT 2000 Introduction to Literature 3
LIT 2010 Introduction to Fiction 3
LIT 2040 Introduction to Drama 3
LIT 3101 Literature of the Western World  
  Through the Renaissance 3
LIT 3102 Literature of the Western World  
  Since the Renaissance 3
LIT 3103 Great Literature of the World 3
LIT 3155 Modern Literature 3
LIT 3301 Cultural Studies and the Popular Arts 3
LIT 3383 The Image of Women in Literature 3
LIT 3451 Literature and the Occult 3
PHY 4031 Great Themes in Physics 3
POS 4413 The American Presidency 3
REL 3500 History of Christianity 4
THE 4174 New British Theatre and Dance 3

All the above courses will require 6,000 written words per course. IDH courses will fulfill the writing requirement for all University Honor students only.

Computation (6 semester hours)

Any courses offered by the Mathematics Department may be used. Only one course from the following list (some of which are not in the Mathematics Department) may be used.

PSY 3204 Psychological Statistics 3
QMB 2100 Business and Economic Statistics 3
STA 2122 Social Science Statistics 3

     CLEP general/subject examinations in mathematics, calculus, college algebra, college algebra-trigonometry, and trigonometry may satisfy this requirement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Click here for the USF St. Petersburg homepage