GRADUATE ACADEMIC PROGRESSION
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Academic Policies and Procedures
Please review the tabs below to find important information regarding your academic progression as a graduate student, including how to register for courses, request a transfer of credit and more. For further assistance or for questions about any of the policies outlined below, please send an email to [email protected].
Registration Instructions
Registration is completed via PAWS. The Self Service Student Registration Demo video provides step-by-step instructions on how to:
- View the schedule of classes
- View & clear registration holds
- Add & drop courses
- Troubleshoot registration errors
- Change variable credit hours (e.g. BMSC 6900, 8800, 8810)
- Print finalized schedule
To simplify your first time registering, we strongly recommend having the registration demo video and the PAWS registration screen open side-by-side, so you can follow along with the instructions.
Removing Registration Holds
Before you are permitted to register for courses each semester, you must clear all holds listed on your student account. Holds can be reviewed on your student dashboard in PAWS and should include contact information, which can be used to obtain additional instructions on how to review the hold.
The Office of the Registrar also provides a list of common registration holds that students encounter and how to get them removed.
Registration Error Messages
When a registration action is not successful, the system will display an error message to help you troubleshoot the problem(s).
In the event that you receive a registration error message, please visit the Office of the Registrar website for more information on common error messages and how to get them corrected.
Tuition & Fees
Typically, tuition and fees are due on the first day of courses each semester. Students should plan to pay their tuition and fees in a lump sum or enroll in a payment plan before the tuition and fees deadline posted on the academic calendar for each semester.
Failure to pay your student account balance before the deadline will result in your courses being dropped.
Fee descriptions can be found on the Student Engagement website.
Tuition Waivers for Graduate Assistants
Before the tuition waiver associated with your graduate assistantship can be applied to your student account, you must:
- Meet the minimum enrollment requirements described in your offer letter,
- Register for the appropriate research (e.g. BMSC 6900 for M.I.S. students or BMSC 8800/8810 for doctoral students) or graduate teaching section (e.g. BMSC 8910 for teaching assistants) and
- Remain in compliance with all other eligibility requirements (e.g. academic standing, lab/work performance, etc.).
Once you finalize your registration for the semester, your registration will be confirmed by an advisor and the tuition waiver will be applied on the next tuition waiver processing date.
Tuition Waiver Processing Schedule
Tuition waivers will be processed for eligible students with finalized registration on the following dates:
Fall 2023 - Week of 6/5
Spring 2024 - Week of 11/27
Summer 2024 - Week of 3/25
Graduate students in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences are responsible for monitoring their academic evaluation for accuracy, including the completion of both required coursework and non-course milestones. You are encouraged to use Degree Works and the sample course outline included in the Graduate Student Handbook to map out your plan of study.
Degree Works/Academic Evaluation
Degree Works is an academic planning tool that produces easy-to-read and user-friendly academic evaluations to help you map out what courses and non-course milestones you need to complete to graduate. Students can access their Academic Evaluations through PAWS.
Degree Works looks at the degree requirements from the Georgia State graduate catalog and the coursework you complete to track your degree progression. You are encouraged to review your academic evaluation frequently, especially during registration.
The Degree Works video tutorials provide detailed instructions on how to use Degree Works. Topics include:
- Student responsive dashboard overview
- "Future classes" feature
- What-If navigation
Course Requirements
Students must satisfy the course requirements of the graduate catalog in effect at the time they enter or reenter Georgia State University. Any student interested in fulfilling the requirements of a different catalog edition may submit a petition to deviate from college requirements.
Academic Standing
Each student admitted into an IBMS graduate program must maintain an overall institutional grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better to maintain satisfactory academic standing. Students who fall below the 3.0 GPA requirement for all required course attempts will be reviewed for continuation in the M.I.S. or Ph.D. program, and students may receive a scholastic warning or be dismissed from their respective graduate program.
Course Requirements
Check your Degree Works audit to ensure that you are on track to graduate, as it is the definitive record for graduation clearance. All course blocks should be satisfied. This also includes any transfer credit from another institution, as well as any approved course substitutions. If you notice any discrepancies, please email [email protected] as soon as possible.
Grade Point Average (GPA) & Grade Requirements
Each student admitted into a graduate program in the institute must maintain an overall institutional grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better to receive their respective degree.
All M.I.S. students must complete all core coursework with a grade of B- or better. No more than six credit hours of grades less than a B- will be accepted towards the degree. No final course grade below a C will be accepted towards the degree.
All doctoral students must complete all core coursework with a grade of B- or better. No final course grade below B- will be accepted towards the degree.
Apply to Graduate
Students must apply to graduate TWO SEMESTERS before the intended semester of graduation. The graduation application can be accessed in PAWS, and the Office of the Registrar provides instructions and important deadlines.
Exit Surveys
IBMS Exit Survey
All graduating IBMS master's and doctoral students are required to complete a brief exit survey. This is your opportunity to provide valuable feedback on your graduate program. This feedback is very important and helps to:
- Inform program/curriculum updates for future students.
- Keep IBMS administration in contact with IBMS alumni.
Completion of the survey is required for graduation checkout.
CGS Exit Survey
All graduating master's students are also asked to complete the CGS Exit Survey. The purpose of this study is the research the role of master's education in workforce development.
Upon completing this survey, please send a screenshot of the confirmation page to [email protected].
Survey of Earned Doctorates
All doctoral candidates are required to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) before being fully cleared for graduation. The SED gathers information about new research doctorate graduates from universities across the United States.
Upon completing this survey, please send a copy of the completion certificate to [email protected].
Change Track (M.I.S. students only)
The Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Biomedical Science and Enterprise program allows enrolled students to pursue one of two tracks - research or professional. Each track includes targeted elective courses and an experiential capstone (e.g. capstone courses or master's thesis) designed to synthesize the interdisciplinary concepts learned in the program core.
Students interested in pursuing a different track than the one they applied for during the initial term of entry, must complete the Request to Change Track form linked below. Please discuss any track changes with your faculty advisor before submitting the request. Students are limited to two total track changes.
Course Substitutions
When a Degree Works audit is processed, the courses are applied based on the catalog term under which you were admitted. This means that courses taken prior to your enrollment in an IBMS graduate program will not automatically count towards your degree. A course substitution will allow students to use coursework completed in a previous degree program or as a non-degree seeking/transient student at Georgia State University to satisfy course requirements in their current program of study. In order to request for these courses to count towards your degree, please use the Request for Course Substitution form.
Repeat to Replace
Graduate students who have retaken courses and earned a higher grade may be eligible to request exclusion of the first grade from their institutional GPA.
To learn more about the repeat to replace eligibility requirements, please refer to section 1350.25 Repeat to Replace Policy of the Graduate Catalog. Please use the Repeat to Replace form to submit your request.
Transfer Credit
Due to the unique nature of the courses included in the master’s program curriculum, transfer credit is not accepted for this program.
Transfer of credit in the IBMS doctoral program is defined as receiving graduate degree credit for a course completed at another institution, thereby reducing the number of graduate courses to be taken at Georgia State University.
To learn more about the transfer credit requirements, please refer to section 11020.35 Policy on Transfer Credit of the Graduate Catalog. Please use the Transfer Credit form to submit your request.
Petition for Policy Waiver
Students are normally required to abide by all requirements of the college as outlined in the Graduate Catalog. However, students may request a waiver of specific requirements by sending an email to [email protected] and providing documentation/justification.
Petitions should be submitted two weeks prior to the event in which the petition relates. Approval of a petition for policy waiver is not guaranteed.
DOCUMENT LIBRARY
Research Workshops & Professional Development Resources
Student Progression By Semester
REVIEW ROTATION GUIDELINES & COMPLETE TRAINING
Review Laboratory Rotation Guidelines and complete research training (Graduate assistants only).
DECLARE A PERMANENT LAB
Request to join a lab for the duration of your program, then submit the Selection of Permanent Advisor/Lab form to the OAA.
PLAN OF STUDY
Meet with your advisor or faculty mentor to develop a plan of study.
INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Develop your Individual Development Plan (IDP).
FOCUS ON CAREER INTERESTS
Focus on your professional development and explore career interests.
REVIEW QUALIFYING EXAM GUIDELINES
Review Qualifying Exam Guidelines and prepare for qualifying exams.
SUCCESSFULLY PASS QUALIFYING EXAMS
Successfully pass qualifying exams and report your results.
FORM YOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Work with your faculty mentor to form your thesis or dissertation advisory committee.
PRESENT YOUR THESIS/DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Present your thesis/dissertation proposal and submit your results.
ANNUAL COMMITTEE MEETING
Meet with thesis/dissertation committee and submit Annual Committee Meeting form before the end of Fall semester year.
PRESENT AT CONFERENCES
Attend and present your research at conferences.
PREPARE FOR JOBS
Prepare for the job market.
GRADUATION APPLICATION
Apply to graduate.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY REGISTRATION
Register for your commencement ceremony.
NOTICE TO DEFEND
Submit Notice to Defend thesis/dissertation.
DEFEND YOUR THESIS
Successfully defend your thesis/dissertation and submit results.
FORMAT APPROVAL
Submit your thesis/dissertation for format approval.
EMBARGO REQUEST
Submit an embargo request, if necessary.
SCHOLARWORKS UPLOAD
Upload your thesis/dissertation to ScholarWorks.
COMPLETE SURVEYS
Complete surveys.
NON-COURSE MILESTONES
Submit any remaining non-course milestones.
COMMENCEMENT
Attend commencement.
IBMS Office of Academic Assistance - Graduate Programs
Physical Address:
Courtland North, 4th Floor
106 Courtland St SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-413-3650
Email: [email protected]
Schedule an Appointment: