1. I have not been registered at Georgia State University for more than three semesters while I have been writing my thesis or dissertation. What will I have to do in order to graduate in fall semester, 2006?

First, be certain you have accomplished all the steps to apply for graduation, including re-entry. Since continuous enrollment requirements do not take effect until fall semester, you will not have to meet the six-hour requirement. However, you must be registered at Georgia State University in order to be cleared for graduation by the College of Arts and Sciences. Check with your department graduate director to determine the courses and the minimum number of hours required for your program.

2. I will not be graduating until spring, 2007. Will I be subject to the continuous enrollment rules?

Yes. You will have to register for thesis research or a comparable course determined by your department graduate director both fall and spring semesters totaling six (6) credit hours by the completion of spring, 2007 semester. Alternatively, you may wait until spring semester to register, but you will be required to meet the full six hour minimum as you complete your graduation requirements.

3. What if I register for a semester that I expect to graduate, but do not get everything finished or approved on time? Will I have to register again?

Yes. If you are current with continuous enrollment requirements you will only need to register for the minimum number of hours required by your department. This registration is required, however, even if you have previously met the six-hour standard, because you must be registered at Georgia State University to complete your degree.

4. As part of my graduate program, I have an internship and must be away from campus for more than three terms without registration. How can I avoid the continuous registration penalty and reentry change of catalog?

If your not registering at Georgia State University is built into your degree program, your graduate director should notify the Graduate Office. On return from the internship, you will need to file for re-entry at the Graduate Office, not undergraduate admissions. You will still need to bay the $25 re-entry fee, but you will be permitted to follow the Graduate Catalog under which you were admitted to the program.

5. Do I have to pay 100% of the mandatory student fees if I am only registered for a few hours of research to finish my thesis or dissertation?

No. Beginning summer, 2006 graduate students will only pay 1/6th of the mandatory fees for each hour of registration under six hours. That means, if you are registered for less than six hours you will be charged a pro-rated student fees amount.

If you have additional questions about continuous enrollment, please call the Director of the Graduate Office at 404-651-2297.

Beginning Fall Semester, 2006 in order to continue actively in an academic program in the College of Arts and Sciences, students must register for at least a total of six semester hours of course work during any period of three consecutive terms (fall, spring, summer)until completion of degree. In order to graduate, students must be actively enrolled in the program of study during the semester they finish requirements for graduation.

The semester of completion is defined as extending until the last day of the semester on the academic calendar as published by Georgia State University Enrollment Services.