At Cleveland State University, student success is our top priority.
We’re dedicated to helping students excel in their studies, graduate on time and move on to fulfilling careers.
To this end, CSU has launched a series of innovative initiatives aimed at streamlining the path to graduation. We invite you to learn more about our student-success strategies below and take advantage of these new resources.
CSU IS BUILDING A BETTER CURRICULUM . . . AROUND YOU
More Options and Greater Flexibility for Students
GRADUATION INCENTIVE PLAN
The new Graduation Incentive Plan, devised by CSU President Ronald Berkman, rebates 2 percent of tuition cost plus $100 per semester in book expenses to undergraduate students who complete their full academic year in good standing. Students must complete 30 credit hours within the academic year, which can include a combination of fall, spring and two summer terms. The tuition rebate will be credited to the student’s CSU account toward future tuition, and credit will be issued at the CSU bookstore. Graduating seniors will be given an option of applying their earned credits toward graduate school tuition.
MULTI-TERM REGISTRATION
CSU is the first state university in Ohio to offer multi-term registration, which allows students to plan their entire academic year in advance. Secure your schedule for fall, spring and summer terms at the same time, or register for any of the open terms you choose. As an added convenience, students can register now and pay later – tuition for future terms is not due any earlier.
COURSE WAITLIST
CSU’s course waitlist makes it possible for students to add their names to an online waiting list for a full course. If a seat opens up in the course, students promptly receive an email notifying them of the opportunity to enroll. Openings are filled on a first-come, first-served basis –the sooner a student signs up on the waitlist, the better his or her chances of getting into the course if space becomes available. The waitlist also helps academic departments track demand. If a course has a large number of students on the waitlist, departments may be able to open an additional class section to meet the need.
GRAD EXPRESS DEGREE AUDIT
CSU’s Grad Express Degree Audit makes it easy for students to monitor their academic progress. This online advising tool enables students to work with their academic advisors in planning their schedules, registering for classes and completing their degrees for graduation. Grad Express shows a student’s progress toward meeting the requirements in three of the main components that make up any degree at CSU: university, college and major/minor requirements. It outlines each requirement and shows the courses that a student has taken that meet the requirement. Students with an incomplete requirement can click on a link that will show them a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the requirement.
ASSERTIVE ACADEMIC ADVISING
An assertive new approach to academic advising at CSU keeps close watch on the progress of individual students. The University’s Academic Advising Office is dedicated to providing a supportive atmosphere and empowering students to develop and to implement sound educational strategies that are consistent with their personal values, goals and career plans – as soon as they arrive at CSU. In recent years, a focus on freshman success – complete with intensive advising, extra support for those in remedial courses and a focus on monitoring attendance – has resulted in higher GPAs, more credits earned and better academic standing for CSU freshmen.
NEW TUITION BAND
Students are encouraged to complete 30 credit hours each year to stay on track for timely graduation. Averaging 15 hours per semester won't cost you more in tuition, because the new tuition band allows you to take between 12 and 17 hours per semester and pay the same amount.
120-CREDIT-HOUR STANDARD
To save time and money for students, CSU is in the process of capping most baccalaureate degrees at 120 credit hours, except for programs in which accreditation requires the curriculum to exceed this threshold. The new requirement corresponds with the University’s conversion to a dominant three-credit-hour curriculum. These changes are expected to take effect in Fall 2014.
NEW TIME BLOCK GRID
CSU is developing a new time block grid that will make class time much more efficient and eliminate much of the long wait times between classes. CSU appreciates the fact that many students have jobs, family commitments or other obligations that can pose a challenge when attempting to line up a course schedule in pursuit of a degree. When the new time block grid debuts in Fall 2014, it will provide more options and flexibility for all students.
FOUR-TO-THREE CONVERSION
CSU is in the process of converting from a dominant four-credit-hour curriculum to a dominant three-credit-hour curriculum, in line with most other Ohio public universities on semesters. The new system is referred to as a dominant three-credit-hour curriculum because not all courses will be converted to three credit hours. Some courses, especially in disciplines such as the fine arts (theater, dance, music, etc.), require longer time blocks. The conversion to three-credit-hour courses will not reduce the amount of instructional time students receive in completing their degree, and it will decrease the overall expense for most students. Current students will be accommodated to complete their degrees under their current program requirements, with course substitutions, bridge courses or waivers where necessary, or transition to the new catalog with reduced credit requirements. No student will be penalized as a result of the transition to the new curriculum. When this conversion takes effect in Fall 2014, the end result will be greater flexibility in academic planning and a more streamlined pathway to graduation for students.