The appeals procedure for graduate students in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies will follow different courses, depending on the nature of the student's appeal. The various types of situations and the appropriate appeals avenues are as follows:
At the graduate level, a person who wishes to appeal an admission decision first discusses the matter with the Office of Academic Assistance. If the question is not settled there, a written appeal must be submitted to the director of academic assistance within 10 working days of the date of the denial. (Workdays are counted as Monday through Friday except university holidays.) The director will present the appeal to the Graduate Admissions Committee, which will examine the facts presented. The director, on behalf of the committee, will make a recommendation to the associate dean for academic programs. The associate dean will render a written decision to the applicant normally within 10 workdays of the date the applicant's letter was received by the director of academic assistance.
The appeals procedure for students will follow different courses depending on the nature of the student's appeal. Please refer to University Information Section 1050.80 under Polices and Disclosures in this catalog or visit www.gsu.edu/enrollment/appeals.html online for details.
Terminated or excluded graduate students with questions about their status should first discuss their situation with an advisor in the Office of Academic Assistance. Following this discussion, students who believe they have extenuating circumstances may submit a written appeal of their termination or exclusion to the director of the Office of Academic Assistance. The director will review the information submitted in support of the appeal and the student's total record. The director will then make a recommendation to the associate dean for academic programs, who will make the decision regarding acceptance or denial of the appeal. The student will receive a written response from the school normally within 10 workdays of the date the appeal is received. (Workdays are counted as Monday through Friday except university holidays.)
Having been enrolled in too many courses relative to job requirements or other responsibilities or having continued to enroll while experiencing personal, work, or health-related problems very rarely constitutes such extenuating circumstances.
Requests for such consideration must be submitted, in writing, to the director of academic assistance within 10 workdays (defined as Monday through Friday except university holidays). Students should write their appeals completely, but concisely, and include all facts germane to their case. Documentation should be provided, where possible, to substantiate statements made. Specific dates of the beginning and ending of particular problems should be included. Only circumstances described in the written and signed appeal as initially submitted will be accepted from the student; oral appeals are not permitted, nor are requests to submit additional information after the appeal has been reviewed. Appeals must be dated, signed, and include the student's home address and telephone numbers (work and home).
A master's student requesting course substitution may complete a petition form. This form is available online at aysps.gsu.edu/142.html.
A doctoral student who believes that unusual circumstances invalidate any of the regulations or requirements relating to the degree may write a petition letter to the doctoral coordinator for exemption or change in the policy. If the doctoral coordinator supports the request, a letter of support will be submitted to the director of the Office of Academic Assistance for a decision after consultation with the associate dean.