FAQ (How do I...?) Frequently Asked Questions - Student Resources - College of Arts and Sciences

For more information on any of these topics, click on the header to see the related FAQ.

Academic Warning, Academic Probation and Academic Dismissal

What do I do if I am on Academic Warning?

If you are on warning or probation you seek help immediately from your advisor or contact the resources available for students on probation. There are several programs and/or services available to help you get back on track.

What is Academic Probation and how does it affect me?

Academic Probation is for when a student is not performing academically to the standards set by Ferris State University. Typically, students who’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be on Academic Probation. You will not be allowed to register for more than 14 credits without permission from your advisor. For further details, read the Registration and Academic Guide information on page on AcademicProbation.

What is Academic Warning and how does it affect me?

Academic Warning is also known as the Semester Academic Advisory Notice. It is for when a student is not performing academically to the standards set by Ferris State University for the semester. Typically, student’s who fall below a 2.0 for a semester (even if their cumulative GPA may be higher) will receive a Semester Academic Advisory Notice. You will not be able to register for more than 14 credits without permission from your advisor.

Why am I on probation?

You will remain on probation until your cumulative GPA is 2.0 or better. You must maintain continuous progress toward achieving a cumulative GPA of 2.0 while on probation or you may be dismissed. (See table in Academic Dismissal section.)

What should I do if I am placed on academic probation?

Many students have been placed on probation early in their college careers and have then gone on to become successful college graduates. The key often lies in the student’s ability to diagnose and correct the problems that kept them from achieving their potential.

See your faculty advisor immediately and discuss possible strategies that you might employ. Your advisor may refer you to your educational counselor or you may self-refer after a meeting with your advisor.

Faculty advisors and counselors know that every student and situation is different and will help identify your problem and work out a strategy that’s right for you. They can direct you to other resources on campus that may help you.

The Academic Support Center offers FREE multi-subject tutoring for a wide variety of classes. Tutors are available to assist students on an appointment basis. Walk-in math tutoring is offered during designated hours. Walk-in workshops for other courses are also available and scheduled weekly.

Study skills assistance and assessment is available with our paraprofessional for one-on-one or small group appointments.

The Academic Support Center Speaker Series offers seminars on a variety of academic topics held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 in SCI 102. Call or visit the Academic Support Center website for the current schedule.

In addition, the Academic Support Center offers other services that can be utilized to increase the chances for academic success.

Use the Writing Center - paraprofessionals and student tutors help students with their writing skills and writing assignments for any class. Services include individual sessions, email-tutoring, and workshops offered on a variety of topics.

Ask your instructor’s advice for mastering the materials and assignments in each course.

The same resources you may have used if you received an Academic Warning are also intended for students on Academic Probation.

Finally, develop a study strategy. No matter how motivated you are or how dedicated the faculty may be, there is no substitute for time and work in your classes. All students need quiet study time. Many students find it helpful to form study groups to “talk through” the materials and help each other learn. The point is, find a strategy that works for you and stick with it.

What is academic dismissal?

Academic dismissal means that a person cannot re-enroll at Ferris. If the student has early-registered for the following semester, then his/her schedule is dropped.

Can I appeal academic probation or dismissal?

You cannot appeal probationary status. You may appeal a dismissal if you feel there are extenuating circumstances. This is done through a written appeal form available in the College of Arts and Sciences dean’s office (ASC 3052). Your appeal must include written documentation validating the extenuating circumstances (e.g.; a physician’s statement in the case of serious illness).

If I have been dismissed, can I ever return?

Yes. You may be readmitted when you have completed twelve (12) semester hours of coursework, applicable to the major/program to which you want to return, from a postsecondary institution. You must earn a minimum grade of “C” or better in each course taken. You must also meet requirements by the Admissions office in order to be readmitted.

Students who have been dismissed from Ferris four (4) times are not eligible for readmission to Ferris State University.

If you wish to return to the College of Arts and Sciences after you have fulfilled the applicable readmission conditions, you may apply for readmission by completing an application. This form is available at the Admissions Office (CSS 201) or online.

If you are readmitted, you will be on probation until your cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 (“C” average) level or better. Students must earn a 2.0 GPA or better each semester to avoid another dismissal.

Advising Questions

Can I change my advisor?

Entering students are assigned an academic advisor determined by the student's major. If you feel the need to change your advisor, you are encouraged to discuss this situation with your advisor to work out an appropriate solution. Advisor assignments are made to keep each advisor's workload balanced.

How to Change Your Academic Advisor

If you are unable to work out an appropriate solution with your current advisor, you may change your assigned academic advisor by contacting the advisor’s department head to make the request. The requested change of advisor is contingent on your new advisor having openings to accommodate additional advisees. Your requested new advisor must also be a faculty member in your major field or advising for your major field.

How can I find out who my advisor is?

You can find your advisor's name, department, e-mail address, and other directory information through MyFSU. After logging in, click on the Academics & Services, then Registration Status/Advisor Information link in the Registration menu.

You can also find your advisor’s name by going through MyDegree. This can be accessed via MyFSU. Log in, click on Academics & Services, then MyDegree and your information will be pre-populated with your current advisor. If you click on her or his name, you will be able to send an e-mail directly to their account.

How do I make an appointment with my Advisor?

As a student in the College of Arts and Sciences you will need to call, e-mail or stop by your advisor’s office during his or her office hours.

To find your advisor’s teaching schedule and office hours you can use the telephone directory on MyFSU (Log in, click on MyFSU and go to Telephone Directory) or on the Ferris main page Directories and Maps. For both, type the faculty member’s last name (or part of it) and it will give you the directory information including the opportunity to view the faculty member’s schedule for the semester.

When should I come to see my advisor?

When should I email my advisor? How long will it take my advisor to email me back?

You should email your advisor only when you have a question that you think your advisor can answer in a couple of sentences. Since our advisors are also faculty members, they will often get back to you within 2 or 3 business days. If the topic requires further discussion, you should schedule an appointment with your advisor or stop by during his or his office hours. Sending your advisor a list of times when you are available is not appropriate. Sending an email asking, "what classes should I take next semester?" is not a question most advisors will answer over email. Each student is different and there are many variables that must be taken into account when you choose your courses. It is always a good idea to start by reviewing the curriculum requirements and course prerequisites.

Attendance Questions

What happens if I miss class because my car won’t start or…?

Students are responsible for learning about, becoming knowledgeable of and complying with the College of Arts and Sciences attendance policy stated in the respective course syllabus. It is up to the discretion of the instructor whether other extenuating circumstances should be considered for an excused absence.

What if I have to miss class because I play a sport or have to go on a trip for another class?

Institutional travel, which must be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, is considered to be an excused absence. Students participating in approved University-related travel are to be excused from classes but are still responsible for making up any missed assignments and/or tests.

What happens if I miss more than the allowed absences for a class?

Students are responsible for keeping track of their absences and discussing with the faculty member options for completing the class successfully. You may be able to withdraw from the course (if it is before the last date for “W” grades – look on calendar for your term to know for sure), or you may need to repeat the course. Be aware of the timelines that withdrawals are able to occur. It is imperative you speak with your instructor and your advisor as soon as possible if you have missed more than the allowed absences for a class.

I got a letter in the mail stating I have excessive unexcused absences. What do I do?

As stated in the letter, if you intend to withdraw from the course, you must contact your Dean’s Office to begin this process if you are within the timeframe to do so. If the withdraw date has passed, you must discuss options with your instructor to complete the course successfully. It is imperative you speak with your advisor as soon as possible if you have missed more than the allowed absences for a class to determine what options you have for scheduling for the next semester and whether you have any issues for prerequisites.

General Questions

Where do I go to take a foreign language placement exam?

If you need to take a placement exam for French, German or Spanish, you can do that online by taking the Webcape Placement Exam free of charge. It will give you placement information only by telling you what level of foreign language class you should enroll in at Ferris. This does not grant any college or course credit.

If you want to earn credits for French, German or Spanish you may want to consider taking the CLEP exam. This will give you the opportunity to earn both placement and college credits. To register and pay for the CLEP exam, you must contact Institutional Research and Testing to set up your appointment.

How do I calculate my GPA?

If it’s a straight numeric total, add the points up and compare to the grading scale.

If it’s a weighted total (each assignment represents a percentage of the class total), you take the percent you received in each area and multiple it by the percentage of weight it carries. Then add the percentages up to see the overall percentage and compare to the grading scale.

Can I graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four years?

You can graduate with bachelor’s degree in four years, but this requires eight semesters averaging a course load of 15 to 18 credits each semester. You can also enroll in summer sessions to catch up or get ahead. You will want to avoid repeating courses. You will need to coordinate your general education courses with your major requirements. It is a good idea to make full use of the academic advising available to you. You also want to decide on a major early and stick with it, or if you make a change be sure you are not starting from scratch. Put your effort and hours into school (for every hour in class expect two to three hours minimum outside of class for homework and studying) just like you would anything that is important to you. Also, schedule your time to fit your academic plan rather than fitting your academics around work or extracurricular activities. Be sure to seek help if you are having problems. Remember the courses in the College of Arts and Sciences are time intensive as well as academically challenging. Both your grade point average and your co-curricular experiences are critical in a competitive job market; therefore you want to be able to balance all.

Where can I go to get help on campus if I'm having trouble in a class?

Where can I find a list of important dates for the school year?

The Academic Calendar provides specific dates for students to refer to when there are questions about what to do and by what date.

For a list of what is happening on campus you can look at the general campus calendar for academic, alumni, arts/entertainment, campus, community, meetings/seminars, sports & student events.

How should I handle a problem with a faculty member?

Ferris State University and the College of Arts and Sciences have official policies and procedures for handling student-faculty-member conflicts. The first step is to try to resolve the problem by working directly with the faculty member. If that is not successful or appropriate, the next step is to discuss the situation with the head of the faculty member’s department. Additional information can be found in the links listed below.

How many credits do I need to be a sophomore? What happens if I don't reach sophomore standing by the end of my first two semesters?

You need 26 total credits (including FSU and transfer credits) to be a sophomore. If you do not have 26 credits at the end of your first two semesters, it is not a problem. You are not required to have 26 credits within any specific time frame.

Class standing criteria is as follows (from the Registration and Academic Guide):

What happens if I drop below full time status (12 credits)?

You should always check with your academic advisor before you drop below 12 credits (full-time status). Dropping to part time can affect your financial aid (including Satisfactory Academic Progress and scholarships and loans), health insurance, athletic eligibility, veteran’s benefits, and on-campus status in the residence halls. If you are an international student, be sure to also check with the International Center before considering dropping to part-time status as it may impact your visa status.

How many credits do I need to be a senior? What should I do when I reach senior standing?

You are a senior when you reach 86 total credits (including FSU and transfer credits). When you reach senior standing, you should schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to make sure you're on track for graduation. You should also be sure to go Career Services to get resume preparation information and to get started on your career search.

What are the requirements to make the Dean's Honors List?

The Dean's Honors List honors all full-time undergraduates in the University who earn a 3.50 or better grade-point average with completion of at least 12 or more FSU credit hours of graded course work at the 100 level or higher for a given semester.

The minimum requirements for part time students each term are: 3.5 term GPA with completion of at least twelve accumulated FSU credit hours of graded course work at the 100 level or higher.

Where is the Dean's Honor List posted?

Internships

Internships most often are work experiences with cooperating employer organizations in business, industry, government, and education. The work experience is designed to be relevant to the student's academic pursuits, personal development, and professional preparation. The internship experience is approved by the coordinator and typically involves a minimum length of time and is open only to students in declared in their major.

How do I substitute a course required for my major with another course?

Students may have the conversation about course substitutions with their advisors. Program Coordinators for each of the majors determine whether or not this fulfills the curricular requirements of the program. They then complete a Course Substitution Request form which needs to be approved and signed by the program coordinator, department head, and then submitted to the Dean’s Office for approval.

Graduation Questions

When will my degree be awarded?

The University requirements for bachelor's degree are described in the General Education section of the catalog. All course requirements for the degree must be met, as well as a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA and total hours for the degree (see below) in order for your degree to be conferred. You must also apply to graduate. You should do this no later than the first week of your final semester. If you are completing a separate major or minor in addition to your bachelor degree, you must complete a separate graduation application for each major and minor you will earn.

How do I check my progress toward graduation?

Use the MyDegree Worksheet or MyDegree “What If” features. Sign onto MyFSU. Select the Academics & Services tab, then MyDegree. If you entered FSU Fall 2010 or later you will be able to use the Worksheet function. Students who entered prior to Fall 2010 will need to go to “What If” and enter their major and/or minors. This will give you an estimate of your progress to date. MyDegree is a very useful tool in helping students track their progress toward graduation credits and plan their course selections.

How do I apply to graduate?

See your program coordinator for an audit and application. You must apply to graduate and you must apply separately for each major and/or minor you will earn. You should do this no later than the first week of your final semester (the first week of spring semester, if you intend to graduate in summer).

What is Graduation Clearance, and how do I complete it?

Graduation Clearance is a process completed by students that are in their junior or senior year. Students should complete their graduation clearance between two and three academic semesters prior to their expected graduation. If you fail to complete your graduation clearance, you do not graduate and will not receive your degree.

Fortunately, it's easy to complete! Call to set up an appointment with your Academic Advisor. Please Note: Your graduation clearance MUST be done in person. Your advisor will not complete it over the phone or over email. Please plan ahead!

Why is completing a Graduation Clearance important?

How do I plan on attending a commencement ceremony?

Ferris State University has commencement ceremonies in May and December. There is no commencement ceremony in August for students completing their degrees in summer. Students may attend the commencement ceremony in the semester they will be completing their degree requirements. Summer graduates may choose the May or December ceremony. There is a deadline for getting the graduates’ name printed in the commencement book. That deadline is approximately 2 months prior to commencement. This is another reason to plan ahead and apply for graduation early in your last semester. Summer graduates who plan to participate in the May commencement ceremony must be especially aware of these deadlines.

How do I know if am graduating with honors?

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences who graduate with Cum Laude (3.5 to 3.74), Magna Cum Laude (3.75 to 3.89) or Summa Cum Laude (3.90 to 4.0) are recognized in the commencement program and receive honor cords. More information can be found on the Commencement web page. For commencement book purposes, the last semester’s GPA data is used. The final audit of your graduation requirements will determine the honors designator (if any) that will appear on your diploma.

If I did not graduate as planned, do I need to fill out another application?

Yes. Fill out a new graduation application. If you plan on completing your degree in two years, contact the Dean’s Office Graduation Secretary (231-591-3776) and program coordinator as to the academic plan to complete your degree. The Dean’s office will send you a letter outlining any degree requirement deficiencies you may have. It is helpful if you respond to the Dean’s office with your academic plan for completing the deficiencies so we can track your progress and award your degree when appropriate.

How do I get my diploma?

Your diploma will be sent to the mailing address you provided on your Application for Graduation, and will be mailed to you approximately six weeks after the end of the semester that you graduate.

How can I change the name on my diploma?

If your name has changed prior to receiving your diploma, you may have your diploma and records adjusted. You can contact the Dean’s Office Graduation Secretary (231)591-3776 to discuss the process. If your name changes after you graduate and you wish to have a new diploma, contact the Records Office (231) 591-2793.

Major and Minor Questions

How do I declare a major? A minor? A certificate? A concentration?

How do I delete a major, minor, certificate or concentration?

To do any of these things, you will need to complete and submit the Program Change Form to the Records Office. You will need to make an appointment with the program coordinator of the minor, certificate or concentration you want to exit. To delete a major, you must change your major to something else. Students at Ferris State University are not undeclared majors and are required to have majors. You may delete a second major but you may not be without a major.

How do I find out the requirements for my major?

In addition to the information available on the CAS and the department websites, the Majors and Degree Programs page provides students with a listing of majors and the requirements for the current academic year. Both current and archived degree requirements may be found at our FSU's official catalog. Arts and Sciences programs are dynamic and change often to reflect the needs of society. Because degree requirements, courses, prerequisites, and policies change; you will meet with your academic advisor each semester to stay abreast of these changes as they occur. You can always see your progress toward your degree by using MyDegree and if you arrived Fall 2010 open your MyDegree to your chosen major and the current Worksheet/Audit form for any declared major, minor, certificate or concentration. If you declared your major prior to Fall 2010, you may use the MyDegree “What If” options to give you a general idea of the requirements for your degree. If your program has undergone curriculum revision since you started, your program check sheet and requirements will not match. Prospective students (both internal transfers and newly admitted students) can also use the MyDegree “What If” options to search for degree requirements by entering the major, minor, certificate or concentration in which you are interested.

Can I earn a “double major”?

Yes. Many students in the College of Arts and Sciences earn dual degrees. To complete concurrent majors, you would need to complete all academic program requirements for both majors. The majors can both be in the College of Arts and Sciences or split with a different college. Depending on which majors you want to combine, there could be a significant amount of overlap between the majors. You would be assigned to an academic advisor in each major. When you graduate, you would earn a separate diploma for each major that you completed. You are not permitted to combine a general major with a departmental major in this college (for example, the Biology major and the Environmental Biology major). If you are seriously considering combining two or more majors at Ferris State, you should consult with the CAS major program coordinator or with the program coordinator from the colleges/majors you are considering. Planning ahead is very important. Students also need to check with Financial Aid to see how this will impact their aid package.

What's a minor?

Think of a minor as a mini-major, or a concentrated “second major” with fewer required credits. It is a concentration of courses in an academic area that may or may not be directly related to your major. For example, you might major in Social Work and minor in Spanish, or you might major in Biology and minor in Theater. Most students are not required to complete a minor, but many students do choose to complete one, and some students complete more than one minor. Students enrolled in our BA programs ARE required to have at least one minor. Not all majors offer a corresponding minor (e.g., there are majors in Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Social Work, but there are no minors in those areas). Some minors have no corresponding major (e.g., there are minors in Art History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, International Studies, and Human Development, but there are no majors in those areas). All minors require a minimum of eighteen credits, of which at least six must be at the 300 level. All courses for the minor require a grade of C or above. In some cases, courses that count towards a minor can double-count with courses that count towards a major, especially in the General Education requirements and in the electives. There are limitations on the number of credits that can double count with a major or another minor, so be informed.

How can I change my major?

Whether directly or indirectly, it will be through the college that offers the major you want to change to. Because some entrance-to-major requirements and procedures can be complicated, it is important that you contact the college that offers the major for the specific details. Depending on a variety of factors, it may or may not be possible for you to actually change to that major at the time you request it. Most majors have entrance requirements that must be met before you can actually enter or change to a major.

All students hoping to enter majors in the College of Arts and Sciences must be approved by the program coordinator. Students make an appointment with the program coordinator to complete a Program Change Form that is filed in the Records Office prior to registration for the next semester of classes. Students who are hoping to enter majors of other colleges should contact the Dean’s Office of the new college.

Other Practical Matters

What is the MyDegree Worksheet Audit?

The MyDegree Worksheet Audit is a very useful tool to help you determine your progress in your major. You can find your audit when you log into MyFSU and click on the “Academics and Services” tab. From there you will click on MyDegree. Students who entered FSU after Fall 2010 will automatically have a MyDegree Worksheet Audit. Students who entered prior to Fall 2010 will need to use the “What If” function and can get an estimation of their progress. Here are some main points to the audit.

I don't check my MyFSU email, what should I do?

Now you're all set to never miss an important announcement from your professor, advisor, or any other FSU faculty or staff member.

This is very, VERY important!
Your @ferris.edu email address is considered an official form of communication. If you don't check your @ferris.edu email and don't have it forwarded, "I didn't know because I didn't check my MyFSU email" isn’t an excuse and won't undo missed deadlines.

Policy Issues

How do I withdraw medically from the University?

Medical withdrawals must be initiated at Birkham Health Center. More specific procedures and information about the medical leave and reentry can be found in the Registration and Advising Guide.

How do I withdraw from the University?

If it is necessary for students to take a leave of absence from Ferris State University during the semester, it is best to formally withdraw from the University by contacting the Records Office. It is a formal request to place your academic record in an inactive status. Information for withdrawing from the University can be found in the Registration and Advising Guide.

How do I appeal a grade?

Appealing a grade is a formal process. The student grade change policy differs from the student complaint policy. It must be initiated by the student by speaking first with the faculty member and must be documented in writing through all of the steps of the process.

Registration Questions

How do I drop or add a class?

Drop and add occurs during the first four days of every semester. Failure to officially drop a class you are not attending will result in a grade of F for the course. Failure to officially add a class you are attending will result in no credit. You may not attend a class in which you are not enrolled. See the Academic Calendar in the Registration and Advising Guide for specific dates to add and drop classes (Look at Calendars & the Specific Term & Year for the Academic Calendar). If you increase your charges during this period, you MUST pay the extra charges by the 4th day of classes or your schedule may be dropped. ALWAYS check your schedule AFTER you have changed your schedule to confirm the drop or add was successful – NEVER assume you successfully completed the transaction until you have verified it by checking your Concise Schedule, Detailed Schedule OR Week at a Glance Schedule on MyFSU. You may not withdraw a course electronically in MyFSU after the 4^th day of class.

If I want to take more than 19 hours in a semester, do I need special permission?

Registration for more than 19 credit hours in a semester (13 during the summer session) is considered an academic overload. To request an overload, students should have a grade average of 2.7 or higher in the preceding semester and must obtain the approval of their advisor and the Dean’s Office. The student’s advisor will contact the Dean’s Office with their approval for the load to be increased.

If I have not had a prerequisite for a course which is listed in the academic catalog, how do I get permission to take the course without having had the prerequisite?

Students are required to complete prerequisites listed in the course descriptions section of the Academic Catalog before enrolling in the course requiring the prerequisite. Students who wish to register for a course without first taking the prerequisite(s) listed in the course description of the academic catalog must obtain approval from the department head. The class cannot be added to the student’s schedule without this approval. Generally, the student will be required to show competency or proficiency in the area before being allowed to enter a course without the required prerequisite.

What happens if I repeat a course?

Courses may be repeated in order to earn a better grade. In all cases the most recent grade and hours earned in a course is the one used in calculating the overall grade-point average (transcript will show an “I” after the Included grade); however, previous grades remain on the transcript followed by the letter “E” (which means the grade and hours are Excluded from the GPA calculation). Consult your academic advisor before repeating a course. Students are required to pay normal tuition charges for all repeated course work. Points to keep in mind:

How do I withdraw from a course?

If you need to withdraw from a course, it is possible. You must keep in mind that there is a deadline for withdrawing from a course in every semester. To find out about that deadline, reference the academic calendar for the current semester. See the Academic Calendar in the Registration and Advising Guide for specific dates to withdraw from a course (Look at Calendars & the Specific Term & Year for the Academic Calendar). Generally, it is best to discuss your situation with your academic advisor and your professor before taking action.

IMPORTANT: Beware of Going BELOW 12 Credits:Generally a student should only withdraw from 1 course per semester. Always check these out BEFORE you withdraw from a course:

What if I want to take summer courses at Ferris?

You can take summer courses at Ferris State University and/or at many other colleges and universities. You can schedule summer courses by using MyFSU. Keep in mind that summer classes are faster pace than regular semester classes. As a result you will be attending classes that may be one and a half, double, triple or quadruple paced the regular semester. You will still be meeting the same expectations in your summer classes that are met during the academic year. It is always a good idea to use the Summer Credit Load Comparison chart found in the Registration and Academic Guide to get a sense of the expectations.

How do I know what classes to take next semester?

The courses you need to take next semester depends on your major (or intended major), your semester classification, the courses you still need in order to graduate or to enter a major, etc.

All students in the College of Arts and Sciences will have advising holds each semester. So you will need to consult with your academic advisor to best answer this question. However, there are other sources of information that you will find helpful in planning your course schedule for the semester, especially in preparation for meeting with your advisor to discuss your schedule.

What do I do if the class I want to take is full?

Why can't I switch sections of a class, or switch classes after the first four days of class?

Switching sections is considered a Drop/Add. The opportunity to add freely (you go to MyFSU and add any course for which you are eligible and which is open) occurs during the first four days of class. After that, drop/add is closed. Many professors feel that if you missed the first couple of weeks of class that you will not be able to catch up, or it may disrupt ongoing group activities.

Transfer Questions

If I took classes at another institution, how do I transfer the credit to Ferris?

Credits completed at other regionally accredited institutions may be transferred if the student has obtained a C or better in the course. You must contact the Admissions Office to apply as a transfer student. Students transferring into a bachelor’s degree with a MACRAO stamp with their associate’s degree have met different requirements.

What do I have to do to take courses at another institution over the summer?

First, see your academic advisor to make sure that the course(s) you are planning to take will help you progress toward your degree. You must fill out a Guest Application form if you are intending on applying to a Michigan school. You can schedule summer courses at other colleges and universities, including community colleges, by following the registration procedures at those schools.

In order for courses taken at other schools to transfer to Ferris, you must earn a grade of C or better, but the grade will not appear on your Ferris State University transcript and will not affect your Ferris cumulative grade-point average, unless you are transferring in a class that is direct equivalency that will be replacing a class that you have previously taken.

Before scheduling summer courses at another school, look first at Ferris State University’s Transfer Equivalency page. You'll want to make sure that the courses you plan to take will definitely transfer to Ferris. You'll also want to check with your advisor to be sure that the courses will count in your major. You may also want to look at the FAQ’s about being a Guest Student at another College.

If your institution or the course(s) you wish to take does not appear on the transfer page see your Dean’s Office for assistance.

FSU credit hours completed	Cumulative GPA minimum
0 - 20	1.40
21 - 30	1.60
31 - 50	1.70
51 - 67	1.80
68 - 97	1.90
98 or more	1.99

Freshman	0 to 25 semester credit hours earned
Sophomore	26 to 55 semester credit hours earned
Junior	56 to 85 semester credit hours earned
Senior	86 or more semester credit hours earned

120	Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts (exceptions below)
121	Bachelor of Science All Biology tracks and Biotechnology
63	Associate in Applied Science – Industrial Chemistry Technology
60	Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science - Ornamental Horticulture Technology

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