University Policies
The information below applies to all credit students, on-campus, and at a distance. Each student is responsible for being familiar with the policies and procedures of Colorado State University and the Division of Continuing Education (applicable to courses offered through CSU Online).
Academic Integrity
The foundation of a university is truth and knowledge, each of which relies in a fundamental manner upon academic integrity and is diminished significantly by academic misconduct. Academic integrity is conceptualized as doing and taking credit for one’s own work. A pervasive attitude promoting academic integrity enhances the sense of community and adds value to the educational process. All within the University are affected by the cooperative commitment to academic integrity.
See the CSU Catalog to learn more about academic integrity.
Auditing
A student wanting to participate in a class without earning the credits may register as an auditor. Most courses are available for audit. Auditing a course requires prior approval of a student's advisor and the instructor. Audits or pass/fail do not count toward a degree, but are recorded on the student's academic record if an instructor determines that an auditor's participation in the course is satisfactory.
When computing course loads and assessing fees, audited courses are counted the same as if taken for credit. Tuition is the same as for credit courses. Changes to or from an audit status must be made during the registration period.
Corequisites (lab and recitations)
Some courses have labs and/or recitations that are required to be taken with the lecture section. Corequisites use the same delivery method as the lecture section.
Degree-Seeking Status
Once a student is officially admitted to Colorado State University to earn a degree, the student's status is termed degree-seeking.
Enrollment Status Full-Time/Half-Time
Enrollment status is determined by the number of credits you register for in a given semester. Dropped or audited courses are not included. Credit requirements are shown below and are the same for fall, spring, and summer semester:
- Undergraduate
Full-time: 12 or more credits
Three-quarter time: 9 - 11 credits
Half-time: 6 - 8 credits
Less than half-time: 5 credits or less
- Graduate
Full-time: 9 or more credits
Three-quarter time: 7 - 8 credits
Half-time: 5 - 6 credits
Less than half-time: 4 credits or less
Your financial aid may be impacted based on your enrollment status. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Students have certain rights concerning their education records under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, as amended, 20 U.S. 1232g et.seq. (FERPA).
Students have access to their education records as do school officials, including but not limited to financial aid organizations, parents claiming the student as dependent, and any party designated by judicial order or subpoena. The school does not need student
consent to disclose their educational records to these identified individuals. Students can also ask to amend a record if they believe it is misleading or inaccurate.
See the CSU Catalog for more information about FERPA.
Holds
Academic and administrative offices can place holds on your University account. These holds prevent you from registering or changing your registration schedule. Colorado State University makes every effort to notify students of their holds.
If a hold on your account exists, you must clear each hold with the office involved. Contact information for the offices involved will be listed with each hold.
Immunization Hold
In compliance with Colorado state laws and Health Department regulations, Colorado State University requires persons born January 1, 1957 or later to show proof of immunity against measles (two doses), mumps (two doses), and rubella (two doses). This requirement applies to any student taking a credit course — whether individually, as part of a degree program, or as a GUEST student — requiring on-campus attendance. This policy does not apply to online and distance-only credit courses.
International Students & Scholars
On July 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued guidance regarding international students on F and M visas and their ability to take online classes this fall.
The major impact of this new guidance affects students who attend a school that has decided to go fully online in the fall. This is not the CSU model for Fall 2020.
Colorado State University has opted to offer a mix of online and face-to-face courses in the fall, which SEVP considers a hybrid model. In order to maintain their student visa status, CSU international students taking classes in Fort Collins this fall:
- May take more than three credit hours of online courses;
- Must enroll in the required number of credits to be considered full-time (9 for graduate students and 12 for undergraduate students)
- Must enroll in at least one credit of an in-person or hybrid course during the Fall 2020 semester (i.e., may not enroll in only online courses).
- May not enroll in only online courses.
As a result of the new guidance, all international students will need a new I-20 (immigration document). The Office of International Students and Scholars will be in touch with students regarding their new documents.
For more information, please refer to the Office of International Programs.
Prerequisites
Students must meet all course prerequisites prior to registration for a specific class, or acquire the instructor's permission through an override.
Permission of the instructor for a student to attend a class is implied when the student has met specified prerequisites. All prerequisites may be considered to have been met if a student presents evidence of credit earned in equivalent courses or if knowledge equivalent to the prerequisites indicated is demonstrated.
Academic prerequisites notwithstanding, a department may limit the enrollment in a class; classes may be limited to a specified number of students, to students of particular majors, or to students of particular class levels.
Current prerequisites for a course may also be found in the courses of instruction section of the CSU General Catalog.
Repeat/Delete
Undergraduate students may request a one-time per course grading option allowing students to repeat a course to achieve a better grade. Learn more about Repeat/Delete on the Registrar's Office website.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading
Students who wish to change traditional grade options to Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory must complete the form and obtain required signature of their advisor. Please see the Registrar’s Office site for details and form.
If there are course registration issues please contact csu_online_registration@Mail.Colostate.edu.
Senior Visitation Privilege
At the discretion of the instructor in charge, seniors 55 years of age or older may attend any University class as a visitor without formal registration, provided on campus classroom space is available. Contact the Registrar's Office for more information.
Student Conduct
Colorado State University expects students to maintain standards of personal integrity in harmony with its educational goals; to be responsible for their actions; to observe national, state, local laws, and University regulations; and to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people.
See the CSU Catalog for more information about student conduct.
Students' Responsibilities
Through curricular and co-curricular programs, students at CSU develop knowledge and skills to engage as respectful citizens in a diverse society, recognize the implications of their many choices, and become ethically responsible individuals.
See the CSU Catalog for more information about students' responsibilities.
Students' Rights
See the CSU Catalog for more information about students' rights.
University Policies
All distance courses are conducted in accordance with the established policies of Colorado State University. Specific information concerning these policies can be found in the General Catalog and the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
All statements made on this website and other publications distributed generally to prospective or admitted students shall be for information purposes only and should not be interpreted as contractual for any purpose. Colorado State University reserves the right at any time, without notice, to change, modify, or cancel any course, program, procedure, policy, financial requirement, or disciplinary arrangement set forth on this website whenever, at its sole discretion, it determines such action to be appropriate. Furthermore, Colorado State University is not responsible for any failure to present or complete any course or program, or to perform any other activity, function, or obligation mentioned on this website.
