Academic Information

Academic Policies

Academic policies fall under the purview of the Office of Academic Affairs. The Office of Academic Affairs seeks the input, advice, and recommendations of faculty representative constituent groups as follows:

The Faculty Senate represents the University Faculty in the initiation, consideration, recommendation, and implementation of policy within the purpose and powers of the University Faculty. The Faculty Senate considers matters referred to it by the University Faculty, Senators, the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, the University President, or the President's representative. It recommends to the Provost changes in academic and other policies that affect the Faculty, and through the President recommends policy changes to the State Board of Education.

The Academic Integrity Council, a Council of the Faculty Senate, was created to supervise academic integrity issues at Idaho State University. The AIC oversees ISU’s policies regarding academic integrity, especially as stated in ISUPP #4000, and provides resources for ISU students and faculty in addressing questions and problems regarding academic integrity.

The Academic Standards Council, a Council of the Faculty Senate, is responsible for recommending university policy and procedures pertaining to undergraduate academic standards for admission, progression, and the granting of degrees and certificates.

The Undergraduate Curriculum Council, a Council of the Faculty Senate, is responsible for ensuring the quality and appropriateness of undergraduate courses and undergraduate degree programs offered by Idaho State University. All proposals for the addition of or changes in undergraduate courses and undergraduate degree programs must be approved by the Undergraduate Curriculum Council.

The General Education Requirements Committee, a subcommittee of the Undergraduate Curriculum Council, is responsible for courses and policies that relate to the University’s general education requirements for appropriateness, rigor, assessment, and to make recommendations based on these evaluations to the Undergraduate Curriculum Council.

The Graduate Council is responsible for ensuring the quality and appropriateness of graduate courses and graduate degree programs. The Graduate Council provides recommendations concerning establishment and maintenance of requirements for graduation; allocation of privileges such as scholarships, honors, awards and grants-in-aid for graduate students; and the establishment of grade standards to be maintained by graduate students.

The Research Council, a Council of the Faculty Senate, is responsible for advising the Vice President for Research on the formulation, review, and application of policies touching on research matters. The Research Council provides oversight of subcommittees involved in the peer review and administration of internal grant awards funded by the Vice President for Research.

Courses Required of All Degree-Seeking Students

All degree-seeking students must fulfill departmental, General Education, and general graduation requirements for their particular fields of study. Departmental graduation requirements are course concentration requirements for a major in each field of study, and are listed under the college to which the department belongs. General Education requirements are course distribution requirements for particular degrees; all students pursuing a bachelor's degree or an academic associate's degree must complete eight (8) of the nine (9) General Education Objectives. Graduation requirements regarding credits, grades, and residence are common to all bachelor’s degrees and are described in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.