General Information

Registration

Students are required to register for the appropriate courses in every semester in which they expect to receive assistance, use the facilities of the university, or take comprehensive examinations. The number of credit hours for which a student must enroll is 9 credit hours per semester.

Dropping a Course

Any student who wishes to drop from a course must initiate such action with the GSBS office. Students should follow the academic calendar for deadlines associated with dropping classes.

• It is important for students who receive financial aid or a GSBS scholarship to be aware of the refund policies and to understand the impact on the aid released, continued financial aid, and scholarship eligibility.

Visit the TTUHSC El Paso Student Business Services Office for specific details regarding refund policies.

Withdrawal from All Classes (Dropping to Zero Hours)

The GSBS office is committed to support and help students complete their education. The GSBS understands that there are many valid reasons why students choose to withdraw from their classes for the semester. The GSBS encourages students to visit its offices before making a final decision to determine if there is something to do to help students remain enrolled.

Withdrawing for the term may impact program completion time, financial aid status or eligibility, or even result in owing funds back to the institution or federal government.

Visit the Important Institutional Deadlines for specific details and deadlines.

Leave of Absence

Leave of absence and its length is granted by the dean upon recommendation of the GSBS graduate council. Leave of absence may be granted only in cases of serious medical conditions or other exceptional reasons.

1. Leave of absence within a semester.
   1. The student is responsible for contacting the GSBS office to initiate the process.
   2. The student is responsible for working with the GSBS office to complete a Leave of Absence Form.
   3. The Leave of Absence Form must be approved and fully signed by the required parties in order to be considered official.
   4. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the Leave of Absence Form is submitted in a timely manner.
   5. The GSBS graduate council may approve or reject the leave of absence request.
   6. The student is responsible for contacting professors regarding the material covered, assignments due, and any other requirements needed to complete the semester successfully.
2. Leave of absence (consecutive semesters - 12 months)
   1. The student is responsible for contacting the GSBS office to initiate the process.
   2. The student is responsible for working with the GSBS office to complete a Leave of Absence Form.
   3. The Leave of Absence Form must be approved and fully signed by the required parties in order to be considered official.
   4. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the Leave of Absence Form is submitted in a timely manner.
   5. The GSBS graduate council may approve or reject the leave of absence request.
   6. If the GSBS Graduate Council approves the leave of absence, the GSBS office will submit a memo to the Registrar’s office.
3. The student is responsible for providing ample time to the GSBS office to process the paperwork in a timely manner.
4. Students who do not have an official leave of absence are subject to review for readmission by the standards in effect at the time of reconsideration

Full-Time Study

GSBS semesters are 16 weeks-long, 15 weeks of instruction plus one week for final examinations. Full-time enrollment is considered 9 credit hours for students during a regular semester. Students receiving (a) scholarship(s) must meet full-time enrollment requirements each semester.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

All students enrolled in the GSBS are required to maintain a high level of academic performance, professionalism, and comply fully with the policies and procedures of the TTUHSC El Paso and GSBS. The GSBS reserves the right to place on academic probation or dismiss any graduate student who does not maintain satisfactory academic standing or who fails to conform to the policies and procedures of the TTUHSC El Paso.

Academic probation

Applies for a designated period of time and may lead to more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to be in violation of any policies and procedures of the GSBS, such as:

1. If a student’s grade point average (GPA) for a particular semester falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation. The student must make a 3.0 GPA or better in the next semester enrolled. Failure to obtain and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in each succeeding semester may result in academic dismissal from the GSBS. Regulations governing academic probation are based on a semester base GPA and apply regardless of overall GPA.
2. Students who receive a grade of C or below in two or more core courses are subject to academic probation.
3. Students are expected to follow the TTUHSC El Paso Institutional Student Handbook Code of Professional and Academic Conduct, the GSBS Student Handbook, and the GSBS Catalog. Failure to do so may be grounds for academic probation or dismissal.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. In case of non-attendance, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the course director or the GSBS office right away of their absence. More than three (3) unjustified absences may result on dismissal; tardiness is disruptive and will be monitored. The GSBS course directors provide the students with explicit written information within the course syllabus with regard to the penalty incurred for each absence and the means, if any, to compensate for the absence. It should be recognized that there may be certain situations where the student may not be permitted to make up the absence(s). Excused absences are determined by the course director.

Extracurricular Activities

Graduate students may participate in extracurricular activities within the guidelines TTUHSC El Paso policies. The Graduate Student Association (GSA) and the Student Government Association (SGA) offer many opportunities for participation. Second year master students are required to participate in the TTUHSC El Paso’s Annual Research Symposium which takes place during the spring semester so that all graduating students can gain experience presenting their research.

English Language Proficiency

A student found deficient in English may be required to satisfactorily complete certain English language courses (without graduate credit) before being considered for candidacy for a graduate degree.

Students’ Responsibilities

Every student is expected to become thoroughly familiar with TTUHSC El Paso regulations, GSBS regulations, guidelines, and program requirements. Failure to follow the regulations and requirements almost inevitably results in complications for which the GSBS cannot assume responsibility.

TTUHSC El Paso Email

To facilitate communications, the GSBS communicates exclusively through the student’s assigned TTUHSC El Paso email account (i.e., first.last@ttuhsc.edu). It is the student’s responsibility to check the TTUHSC El Paso email account for important information and notifications. Communication through personal email occurs only before admission to the GSBS or in unforeseen cases.

Laptops

Majority of the GSBS courses require the use of a laptop; therefore, it is strongly recommended that all incoming students possess and maintain a laptop computer that meets the technical specifications of TTUHSC El Paso and the GSBS. For further information about technical specifications, students should contact the IT Help Desk at 915-215-4111 or ELP.HelpDesk@ttuhsc.edu. The following are the main systems the GSBS students will use:

1. Canvas
   Canvas is the TTUHSC El Paso online course management system. The GSBS uses Canvas to organize course material and assignments; therefore, it is the students’ responsibility to constantly check Canvas for any update or material available.
2. ExamSoft
   ExamSoft is the software the GSBS uses to deliver course assessments. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the software and downloading course assessments in a promptly manner.
   
   Information about ExamSoft and other IT resources can be found in Canvas.

Scholarships

The GSBS seeks to continually recruit and retain the best quality students. In support of that goal, the GSBS offers scholarships to master’s students.

In order to maintain the GSBS scholarship, master students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better per semester.

• Failure to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in each semester will result in losing the GSBS scholarship for the succeeding semester.

Transfer Credit

Work completed at another graduate school is not transferred to the GSBS programs. Graduate credit is not granted for courses taken by correspondence.

Waiving Requirements

There is no automatic waiving of requirements at the GSBS.

Tutoring

Group and one-on-one tutoring is available. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the course director and faculty when tutoring is needed.