The academic year consists of two semesters and a summer term. The fall semester begins in late August or early September and ends in December; the spring semester begins in January and ends in May; and the summer session is held between the end of the spring semester and the beginning of the fall semester.

The New Student Orientation program, which is required for all first time degree-seeking students, is held during the summer for new freshmen and transfer students. Orientation is designed to acquaint new students with registration procedures, University regulations, college life, and student activities and services.

During Orientation, students meet with an academic advisor, plan their course schedule, and register for classes. Even though advisors help students select the appropriate courses, this does not relieve students of their responsibility to study the Undergraduate Catalog and fulfill all of the requirements for their specific degree program. (Note: Before students attain senior standing, they should consult with the college level advisor or graduation analyst of the college regarding fulfillment of requirements for their degree.)

All first-time freshmen whose ACT English, reading or math subscores are less than 19 will be required to take special basic/developmental courses to develop academic competencies necessary for success in college level courses. Students without valid ACT/SAT scores and without college level credit in math or English will be required to take the COMPASS test in the appropriate areas. Students who feel they have been misplaced by their ACT/SAT scores are encouraged to take the COMPASS test, which can place them in a higher level course. (See Transitional Academic Studies program description in the Independent Programs section of this Catalog for more details.)

Credit is not allowed in any course for which students are not officially registered. Students must withdraw from all courses prior to the first day of classes for the session to avoid financial responsibility for fees.