Frequently Asked Questions
What is my classification?
| FRESHMAN: | a student who has completed fewer than 30 semester hours of academic work |
| SOPHOMORE: | a student who has completed as many as 30 but fewer than 60 semester hours |
| JUNIOR: | a student who has completed as many as 60 but fewer than 90 semester hours |
| SENIOR: | a student who has completed as many as 90 but fewer than the number of hours required by the curriculum for graduation. Classification as a senior gives no assurance of graduation at a particular time. |
What is an Academic Record?
The academic record is a chronological history of a student's educational work. The academic record will reflect the following:
- the term the individual entered the institution
- grades earned at the institution
- academic probation and/or suspension
- degree(s) earned at the institution
How do I change my major?
To change a major, the student should contact the college or department of the new major. The department chair will assign an advisor and process a change of major form, notifying the Registrar and the department of the old major.
How do I apply for a degree?
Each student who is to graduate at the end of the semester must apply for a degree by the deadline given by the Registrar. Students should check the academic calendar for all important dates concerning deadlines. Applications for degree are filed in the Office of the Registrar.
How do I request a transcript?
Official transcripts are issued by the Office of the Registrar and bear a raised seal and the Registrar's signature. We cannot accept phone or e-mail requests. There are three ways (online, mail, or walk in) to order an official transcript from Mississippi University for Women. Note: We will not fax a transcript under any circumstances.
*** NOTICE: We now offer the option of sending transcripts electronically through Escrip-Safe. If you attended MUW before 2001, you will not be able to request your transcript to be sent electronically. Otherwise, as long as you have all Holds settled, you can choose this option using one of the ordering options below. Please contact our office if you have questions. ***
Ordering Transcripts OnlineIf you need help or have questions about the Clearinghouse's transcript ordering service, contact them via phone at 703-742-7791 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Ordering Transcripts Directly from MUW via MailCurrent or former students may order copies of their academic coursework at MUW by sending a written, signed and dated request to the Office of the Registrar, 1100 College Street MUW-1605, Columbus, MS 39701-5800. A charge of $8.00 payable in advance, will be made for each copy. Transcripts are not released for students who have not settled all University accounts. Please complete the Transcript Request Form and mail to the Office of the Registrar.
Current or former students may request a transcript at the service counter of the Office of the Registrar located in Welty Hall, Room 105. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, on the days that University is open. Transcript requests are taken until 4:45 p.m. CT. If you are coming in person, you must have a picture ID. If a third party will be picking up your transcript, they must have your written permission to release the transcript. Payment must be made upon receipt of the transcript.
Unofficial Transcripts via Banner Web Transcripts provided by the Office of the Registrar are official and bear a raised seal and the Registrar's signature. However, current students may login to Banner Web to view and print an unofficial copy of their transcript. Note: Transcripts (official and unofficial) are not released for students who have not settled all University accounts. Unofficial transcript directions are as follows:
1. Go to www.muw.edu
2. Click on Banner Web icon
3. Enter your Banner ID
4. Enter your PIN
5. Login
6. Click on Student Services
7. Click on Student Records
8. Click on Academic Transcript
9. Choose all Levels and Advising
10. Submit
How do I graduate with honors?
Honors are awarded to students earning their first baccalaureate degree whose MUW and cumulative quality point averages are as follows:
Summa Cum Laude - 3.95 to 4.0
Magna Cum Laude - 3.80 to 3.94
Cum Laude - 3.50 to 3.79
Note: In determining academic honors, quality point averages are taken to the hundredth decimal place only (i.e. 3.949 is 3.94).
How do I make a schedule change?
Drop Procedure -- Students may drop classes via Banner Web through the last day to add a class. After that date (consult the Academic Calendar) the drop process begins with the advisor, and procedures are printed on the drop form. The drop transaction is not final until the form is submitted to the Registrar's Office. Failure to complete the process may result in loss of credit (if the course is not added properly) or receipt of a failing grade (if course is not dropped properly).
How do I withdraw from the University?
Students who wish to withdraw from the University must do so through the College of their major or through the Advising Center if they are undeclared. The last day to withdraw from the University is listed on the Academic Calendar.
WARNING: Leaving the University without filing a formal withdrawal notice will result in failing grades in all courses for which the student is registered. Withdrawing from a residence hall is not the same as withdrawing from University course work.
How do I compute my grade point average?
(i.e. 384/128 = 3.00)
MUW Quality Points Divided by MUW GPA Hours Equals MUW Grade Point Average
(i.e. 224/64 = 3.50)
The following grades do not count in GPA calculations:
L - In Progress
NA - Non-Attendance
NC - No Credit
P - Pass
W - Withdrew from Class
WP - Withdrew Passing
The following grades do count in GPA calculations:
How do I obtain an enrollment verification?
Enrollment Certifications is a free service offered to students by logging onto Banner Web. This service enables Mississippi University for Women students to print official enrollment verification certifications on demand via our secure Banner Web site. Mississippi University for Women has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse (a non-profit organization serving the higher education community) to provide enrollment verification certifications for our students through its Web-based Student Self-Service program at no charge. To obtain an enrollment certificate complete the following steps:
1.) Log onto MUW home page (http://www.muw.edu) and click on the BANNER WEB link.
2.) Log onto Banner Web using your User ID and PIN.
3.) Click on the "Student Services" link.
4.) Click on the "Enrollment Verification/Request Transcript" link.
5.) Click on Obtain an enrollment certificate. Note: You can obtain an enrollment certificate for your current enrollment or all enrollments.
What is Academic Second Chance and how do I apply?
Students may apply for academic second chance twice (summer semester includes all three summer sessions) during their academic career. Students applying for Academic Second Chance must meet the following conditions each time:
1. If the student has earned a degree, the semester considered for Academic Second Chance must have been completed after the degree was earned.
2. The semester considered for Academic Second Chance must have been completed at least one year before application.
3. The student must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA for at least 24 consecutive semester hours at MUW immediately before application.
Application for academic second chance must be filed with the Office of the Registrar, and the opportunity to submit a request will expire five working days prior to the published registration date for the semester in which the student intends to enroll. A student may obtain an application for Academic Second Chance Request from the Office of the Registrar or from their academic department. The Registrar will verify that the above conditions have been met and will forward the request to the student’s academic advisor. The student must obtain the approval of his/her advisor, the appropriate Department Chair /Program Director and Dean /Institute Director.
If an application is approved, all courses and grades for the semester will remain on the student's transcript; however, the courses for that one semester will not be included in the student's grade point average and may never be used toward graduation at Mississippi University for Women. The grades may, nevertheless, be used by post-baccalaureate professional schools to determine admission. In addition, the student must repeat any required courses taken during the nullified semester. Once the Academic Second Chance is entered on the student’s transcript, the action is irreversible.
Academic Second Chance applies to courses taken at MUW or transferring institutions. In addition, it is the student's responsibility to make sure that he/she meets scholarship and/or financial aid guidelines. Note: Under Veterans’ Administration rules and regulations, students will not be eligible for Academic Second Chance for any semester in which they received VA benefits.
Can I take courses at other institutions for credit toward a MUW degree?
Credit may be given students for work done at another accredited college or university, provided the credits claimed meet the requirements of this institution.
Students planning to take courses at other institutions should secure the approval of the Chair of the appropriate department in advance to ensure that these courses will be acceptable to MUW.
Official transcripts of credits for this course work must be filed with the Registrar at the end of the term of enrollment. Students are responsible for requesting these transcripts and for paying all charges assessed for them.
How many hours from a junior/community college can be applied toward a baccalaureate degree?
Transfers from a junior college must earn at a senior institution at least 50% of the semester hours required for a specific degree program, including 25% of the semester hours at MUW, to be eligible for any baccalaureate degree. No more than 62 semester hours of junior college coursework may be applied to any baccalaureate program.
Note: The total number of hours earned through a combination of examination credit and junior college credit cannot exceed 50% of the semester hours required for a specific degree.