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Academic Policies |
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Regular class attendance is required. When an absence is necessary, students are responsible for notifying the instructor prior to or soon after the absence. Frequent unexplained absences may result in dismissal from the course. Students are responsible for completing work missed, regardless of the reason for the absence. Any instruction missed and not subsequently completed will necessarily affect the grade of the student regardless of the reason for the absence. Absences cause students to miss more than work assigned—they also miss instruction. Faculty are not obligated to teach one-on-one when students are habitually absent.
1. Grades Assigned
Instructors are responsible for assigning a letter grade to reflect the quality of performance in each course. Quality points are assigned as follows:
| Grade | Interpretation | Quality Points |
| A | Excellent | 4 |
| B | Good | 3 |
| C | Average |
2 |
| D | Poor | 1 |
| F | Failure | 0 |
| I | Incomplete | None |
| P | Pass | None |
|
R |
Reenroll | None |
| S | Satisfactory | None |
| U | Unsatisfactory | None |
| W | Withdrawal | None |
| X | Audit | None |
The grades of A, B, C, D, P, and S are passing grades. Grades of F and U are failing grades. R and I are interim grades. Grades of W and X are final grades carrying no credit.
2. Grades Applicable to All Courses
I = Incomplete
- No credit.No credit; used for verifiable unavoidable reasons. Since the "incomplete" extends enrollment in the course, requirements for satisfactory completion shall be established through student/faculty consultation. Courses for which the grade "I" has been awarded must be completed by the end of the subsequent semester or another grade must be awarded based upon course work that has been completed. In the case of "I" grades earned at the end of the spring semester, students will have until the end of the subsequent fall semester to complete the requirements. In exceptional cases, the chief academic officer may approve an extension beyond the subsequent semester. An "I" grade should be replaced with a "W" grade only under mitigating circumstances and with the approval of the chief academic officer. A copy of this documentation must be placed in the student’s academic file.
W = Withdrawal
- No credit.A grade of "W" is awarded to students who withdraw or are withdrawn from a course after the add/drop period but prior to the completion of 60% of the session. After that time, the student will receive a grade of "F" unless mitigating circumstances are documented in the student’s academic file.
X = Audit - No credit.
Permission of the division dean or another appropriate academic administrator is required to audit a course. Students may not receive a grade of "X" if enrolled in a class for credit after the deadline to change from credit to audit has passed.
3. Grades for Courses with Academic Credit/No Grade Point Credit
R = Reenroll - The "R" grade may be used as a grade option, interim in nature, in those courses which employ a mode of instruction characterized by explicit terminal objectives covering the various content areas in such a way that specific determination of student progress toward total course completion can be made. Examples of this mode are as follows:
(a) individual, self-paced instruction.
(b) modularized, group-paced instruction.
The "R" grade may be given only in courses which will employ a mode of instruction described in (a) and/or (b) above.
The courses in which the methodology will be used will be designated by their applicability to the established procedures for the "R" grade and will be identified by the Division Dean and approved by the Vice-President of Instruction and Student Services.
4. Grades for Developmental Courses
S = Satisfactory
- No grade point credit; applies to developmental courses, noncredit courses, and specialized courses and seminars at the discretion of the College.U = Unsatisfactory - No grade point credit; applies to developmental courses, noncredit courses, and specialized courses and seminars at the discretion of the College.
5. Academic Renewal Policy
Students, who return to the college after a separation of five (5) years, or more, may petition for academic renewal. The request must be in writing and submitted to the Admissions and Records Office.
If a student is determined to be eligible for academic renewal, D and F grades earned prior to reenrollment will be deleted from the cumulative and curriculum grade point average (G.P.A.), subject to the following conditions:
a. Prior to petitioning for academic renewal the student must demonstrate a renewed academic interest and effort by earning at least a 2.5 G.P.A. in the first twelve (12) semester hours completed after reenrollment.
b. All grades received at the College will be a part of the student’s official transcript.
c. Students will receive degree credit only for courses in which grades of C or better were earned prior to academic renewal, providing that such courses meet current curriculum requirements.
d. Total hours for graduation will be based on all course work taken at the College after readmission, as well as former course work for which a grade of C or better was earned, and credits transferred from other colleges or universities.
e. The academic renewal policy may be used only once and cannot be revoked once processed.
Final grade reports are no longer mailed to the student’s residence. Students may view final semester grade reports on the web at www.vhcc.edu by clicking on "My VHCC." Final grades will be recorded on students’ official transcripts as a part of their permanent records.
Students should check electronic grade reports carefully. Challenges to grade reports should be made in writing directly to the appropriate instructor no later than ten (10) calendar days after the first day of class of the next semester. If the student is unable to contact the instructor directly, the appropriate Division Dean should be notified in writing.
No formal mid-semester grade reports are announced. However, instructors will review student progress at mid-semester for purposes of assisting those students who are experiencing academic difficulties.
Grading - Developmental Course(s)
A grade of "S" (Satisfactory) shall be assigned for satisfactory completion of each Developmental course (courses numbered 01-09).
Students making satisfactory progress but not completing all of the instruction objectives in Developmental courses (courses numbered 01-09) shall receive an "R" (Reenroll) and reenrolled to complete the instructional objectives. The "I" and "W" grades may be used under certain conditions.
Students not making satisfactory progress in Developmental courses (courses numbered 01-09) shall receive a "U" (Unsatisfactory), and counselors will recommend consultation with the instructor to determine the subsequent sequence of courses for the student. Students are normally limited to two enrollments in the same remedial course.
The Continuing Education Unit is used for the measurement, recording, reporting, accumulation, transfer and recognition of participation in programs which seldom in the past have been recorded in any formal or systematic way. A unit can be awarded for programs that are wholly structured to provide skills and/or knowledge for occupational improvement or for programs that are specifically organized to provide help in the solution of problems confronting the State.
One CEU is defined as "ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction."
Individuals seeking information concerning the Continuing Education Unit should direct inquiries to the Center for Business & Industry.
Grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits attempted.
1. Semester Grade Point Average - Semester GPA is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned for the semester by the total number of credits attempted.
2. Cumulative Grade Point Average - Cumulative GPA, which includes all courses attempted, is computed each semester and is maintained on a cumulative basis as a record of the student’s academic standing.
3. Curriculum Grade Point Average - A curriculum GPA, which includes only those courses applicable to the student’s curriculum, is computed in order to ensure that the student satisfies the graduation requirement for that curriculum. When students repeat a course, only the last grade earned is counted in the computation of the curriculum GPA.
Students will be expected to take examinations at the regularly scheduled times. No exceptions will be made without the permission of the Vice-President of Instruction and Student Services or another appropriate academic administrator and the instructor of the course. The semester examination schedule is available in the class schedule.
Students may enroll in classes during the first week of class through on-line enrollment procedures. After the first week of class, students must have faculty permission to enroll in a class. This process requires the completion of an add/drop form available in the Admissions Office, Student Success Center or Division Offices. The student is responsible for completing the form, obtaining the approval and signatures of the faculty of record and counselor, and submitting the form to the Admissions Office. Students may not enroll in classes after the last day to add/drop.
Students who audit courses will not be required to take exams and will not receive credit for the course. To audit a course, students must receive permission from the instructional dean or designee, register in the regular manner, and pay regular tuition. Audited courses will not count as part of the student’s course load. Students may change status from audit to credit within the 15% add/drop period. Changes from credit to audit must be made within the posted deadline to change from credit to audit.
If a student repeats a course, the last grade earned will count. Consequently, failure (F) in the last enrollment would nullify any other grade earned. A student usually is limited to two (2) enrollments in the same credit course, including audit (X), withdrawal (W) and failure (F). Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. Students must petition for a third enrollment by following these procedures:
1. Complete the petition for third enrollment form (available in Division offices).
2. Get approval signature from the faculty member teaching the course.
3. Get approval from the Division Dean.
4. Get approval signature from the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services.
5. Submit the approved petition to the Office of Admissions and Records.
This limitation does not apply to the courses in the Curriculum Guide identified as General Usage courses: 090-190-290; 095-195-295; 096-196-296; 097-197-297; 098-198-298; 099-199-299.
1. Student Initiated Withdrawal
A student may withdraw from a course without academic penalty during the first 60% of a session. The following policies apply:
A. Fifteen Percent of the Semester
B. Sixty Percent of the Semester
C. After Sixty Percent (Late Withdrawal)
Students who have not withdrawn from a course by the official withdrawal date will receive the earned grade for the course. Exceptions to this policy will be granted only with documented mitigating circumstances accepted by the faculty member teaching the course. A grade of withdrawal implies that the student was making satisfactory progress in the course at the time of withdrawal. In order for a late withdrawal to be approved, the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services must also agree in writing with the mitigating reasons. The student may appeal the decision by following the normal appeal process as found in the student handbook.
2. Faculty Initiated Withdrawal
A. Dated Classes
B. Semester Long Classes
1. Fifteen Percent of the Semester
Students may petition the instructor for reinstatement within five (5) working days of the official processing date on the withdrawal form (Petition form is available in the division offices).
2. Sixty Percent of the Semester
A student’s request for reinstatement must be made to the instructor within five (5) working days of the official processing date on the withdrawal form (Petition form is available in the division offices).
The College encourages a high level of academic achievement and seeks to recognize those students who excel in this area. The Vice-President’s List and President’s Honor Roll have been established for the purpose of recognizing scholastic achievement.
1. President’s Honor Roll
Full-time students earning a semester grade point average of 4.0 are placed on the President’s Honor Roll and receive a certificate of recognition. The semester average of a student who has earned an incomplete (I) will be computed when the Incomplete has been removed.
2. Vice-President’s List
Full-time students earning a semester grade point average of at least 3.5 (with no D’s or F’s) will receive recognition by being placed on the Vice-President’s List. A certificate with the name of the student and the semester of enrollment will be issued.
3. Merit List
The normal academic course load for students is 15-17 credits. The minimum full-time load is 12 credits and the normal maximum full-time load is 18 credits. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and the approval of their faculty advisor and Counselor to carry an academic load of more than 18 credits. Students placed on academic warning or academic probation may be required to take less than the normal semester course load. Since the normal maximum academic load is 18 credits, no curriculum may officially list in any publication more that 18 credits per semester.
Confidentiality of Student Records
Virginia Highlands Community College complies with the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 regarding confidentiality and student’s access to student records. The privacy and confidentiality of all student records shall be preserved. Official student academic records, supporting documents, and other records shall be maintained only by appropriate members of the College staff employed for that purpose. Transcripts of educational records contain only information about academic status and are maintained by the Admissions and Records Office. Access to this record is guaranteed to every student subject only to reasonable regulation as to time, place, and supervision.
The College may release student’s academic transcripts to the local public schools in Virginia in order to improve academic programs at the College and in the public schools. The receiving schools will protect the confidentiality of these records according to the Virginia Privacy Act and the Federal Family Rights and Privacy Act.
The College may disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s education records if such information has been designated as directory information. Directory information includes the student’s name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, grade level, number of credit hours enrolled, and degrees, honors, and awards received. Also, the College will routinely provide local police departments with arrest and charge information which occurs on campus. Such directory information may be disclosed by the College to others without prior consent of the student unless the student should file a written objection with a college individual responsible for custody of such records no later than the time that the College has made such disclosure. In any case, the College may disclose directory information from the education records of an individual who is no longer in attendance at the College.
Grade reports will be made available to parents with the written permission of students. Confidential Release Forms for release or review of any official information from student records are available in the Admissions Office or Financial Aid Office and must be signed.
Students interested in changing their program of study should consult with a Counselor and their advisor. Approval from the Counselor of the instructional division to which the student wishes to transfer is required.
. Good Academic Standing. Students are considered to be "in good academic standing" if they maintain a semester minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible to reenroll at the College, and are not on academic suspension or dismissal status. Students on academic warning or academic probation who are eligible to reenroll may be considered eligible to receive financial aid assistance or other benefits requiring a "good academic standing" status.1
2. Academic Warning. Any student who fails to attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for any semester will receive an academic warning.
3. Academic Probation. Students with a grade point average below 1.5 will be placed on academic probation and a notation will be placed on the permanent record. Students who are enrolled in developmental courses will be placed on academic probation if they fail to earn an "S" after two semesters in the same course or if they withdraw from all courses after scheduled add/drop periods without documented mitigating circumstances. Generally, a person on probation is ineligible for appointive or elective office in student organizations and usually will be required to carry less than a normal course load the following semester.
A student on academic probation is required to consult with a counselor.
A student pursuing a degree program is cautioned that, although an average between 1.5 and 1.99 may not result in formal academic probation, a minimum of 2.0 in the curriculum is a prerequisite to the receipt of an associate degree, diploma, or a certificate.
Students will be placed on probation only after they have attempted twelve semester credit hours or fifteen (15) developmental course hours.
4. Academic Suspension. The student on academic probation who fails to attain a grade point average of 1.5 for the next semester of enrollment will be subject to academic suspension. Students who are enrolled in developmental courses and have been placed on academic probation will be required to earn an "S" grade in subsequent developmental courses. Failure to earn the "S" grade in subsequent developmental courses will result in academic suspension. Academic suspension normally will be for one semester unless the student reapplies and is accepted for readmission to another curriculum of the College. The statement, "Placed on Academic Suspension," will be placed on the student’s permanent record.
Students on academic suspension may submit an appeal in writing to the Director of Admissions for reconsideration of the case. All appeals must be submitted thirty days prior to the first day of class for the semester. A suspended student may be readmitted after termination of the suspension period and upon formal written petition to the Director of Admissions. Students who are readmitted after being on academic suspension are required to satisfactorily complete a study skills course, SDV-104. This course must be completed within the first 12 credits after readmission to the College.
Students will be placed on suspension only after attempting twenty-four semester credit hours, or thirty (30) developmental course hours.
5. Academic Dismissal. Students will be academically dismissed if they do not maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 during the semester of reinstatement. Students who have been placed on academic suspension and achieve a 2.0 grade point average for the semester following their reinstatement must maintain at least a 1.5 in each subsequent semester of attendance. Probation continues until an overall grade point average of 1.5 is attained. Failure to attain a 1.5 average in each subsequent semester will result in academic dismissal. Students enrolled in developmental courses and who reenroll following academic suspension will be academically dismissed if they fail to earn an "S" grade in all subsequent developmental courses.
Academic dismissal normally is permanent unless, with good cause, the student reapplies and is accepted under special consideration for readmission by the Admissions Committee of the College. All appeals must be submitted thirty days prior to the first day of class for the semester in which the student plans to attend. Students readmitted following academic dismissal will remain on academic probation and are required to maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average for each semester of enrollment and consult with their counselor until they achieve a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. Failure to achieve a 2.00 cumulative grade point average in each subsequent semester will result in academic dismissal without appeals or special considerations. Students who are readmitted after being on academic dismissal are required to satisfactorily complete a study skills course, SDV-104. This course must be completed within the first 12 credits after readmission to the College.
The statement, "Placed on Academic Dismissal," will be placed on the student’s permanent record.
Students will be dismissed only after they have attempted thirty-six semester credit hours or 45 developmental course hours.
Students who have completed educational programs or obtained work or training experience may petition the appropriate Division Dean for a waiver for required courses in a particular curriculum. Through subsequent interviews and tests, students may qualify for waiver of curriculum admission requirements, course prerequisites, and courses in a curriculum. The recommendation of the course instructor or counselor is required. Students may substitute equivalent or more sophisticated courses in the same field in any approved curriculum with the approval of the Dean of the instructional division and the Vice-President of Instruction and Student Services provided they can, by previous educational accomplishment or college administered examination, demonstrate the capability for success in the courses requested.
In addition, students may receive Advanced Standing and credit in courses if they can demonstrate that previous educational study, training, work experience or college administered examination results entitle them to advancement in the courses for a particular curriculum. Approval of the faculty member, division dean and Vice President of Instruction and Student Services is required. Instructional division faculty will clearly describe and establish the validity of the evaluation process and criteria for awarding credit for prior experiential learning. Student records shall reflect Advanced Standing and applicable source.
I. Advanced Standing
A. Advanced Standing may include college credit and advancement based upon individual college participation in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Virginia Highlands Community College participates in the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program by awarding Advanced Standing to entering students who have made 3, 4, or 5 scores on Advanced Placement (A.P.) Tests. Students may receive credit in the academic disciplines listed below in which the A.P. Test is offered.
The faculty members of the appropriate academic divisions of the College have established policies for advanced placement in the disciplines listed below. Students should have their A.P. Score Reports sent directly to the Admissions Office in the summer following their senior year of high school. The report is then submitted to the Counselors for evaluation. Upon the Counselor’s recommendation and approval from the Division Dean and Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, the Admissions and Records office posts the awarded credit and notifies the student in writing.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEST SCORE POLICIES
|
EXAMINATION |
SCORE |
COURSE EXAMINATION |
CREDITS |
|
Biology |
3, 4 or 5 |
BIO 101 and 102 |
8 |
|
Chemistry |
3, 4 or 5 |
CHM 111 and 112 |
8 |
|
English: Language & Composition (11th grade) |
3, 4 or 5 |
ENG 111 |
3 |
|
English: Literature and Composition (12th grade) |
3 |
ENG 111 |
3 |
|
English: Literature and Composition (12th grade) |
4 or 5 |
ENG 111 and 112 |
6 |
|
English: Language & Composition and Literature and Composition |
3, 4 or 5 on each |
ENG 111 and 112 |
6 |
|
History: United States |
3, 4 or 5 |
HIS 121 and 122 |
6 |
|
Mathematics: Calculus AB |
3, 4 or 5 |
MTH 173 and 174 |
10 |
|
Government and Politics: United States |
3, 4 or 5 |
PLS 211 and 212 or PLS 135 |
6 3 |
The College reserves the right to award advanced placement in other courses on an individual basis.
B. Credit by Examination is a means of achieving Advanced Standing through satisfactorily demonstrating subject-matter competency on an examination administered by the College. Students may request advanced placement credit by examination if they believe they have mastered a specific body of knowledge. Instructional Faculty in the Academic Division assess the student’s request, administer the appropriate test(s) and/or other assessments designed to measure the student’s competency, and recommend or deny credit based on their findings. The faculty will forward the student’s petition, copies of assessment measures, documented findings and their recommendation to the Division Dean for review. The petition is then forwarded to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services for review. Recommendations are sent to Admissions and Records to be added to the academic record and for official student notification.
C. Credit by previous completion of college course work, Transfer Credit, is one means of achieving Advanced Standing through an administrative determination by the College that equivalent course coverage has been satisfactorily completed at an accredited post secondary institution. Official transcripts are submitted to the Admissions and Records Office with a student’s request to have the transcript evaluated for credit. The request is forwarded to the appropriate Counselor for evaluation. The Counselor’s recommended evaluation is reviewed by the Division Dean and submitted to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services for approval. Recommendations are sent to Admissions and Records to be added to the academic record and for official student notification.
D. Credit for Equated Occupational Experience, including experiential learning, is one means of achieving Advanced Standing through an administrative determination by the College that the occupational experience of an individual is at least equivalent to the course(s) and credits to be exempted. If through past experience the student feels that he/she knows the subject matter, the student may request that the instructional faculty in the discipline consider awarding such credit. If the faculty agree that the student has sufficient competency, the instructor may administer an examination to determine and document the extent of the student’s competency. The student and faculty must document demonstrated skills and competencies and submit the request for advanced standing with the faculty’s recommendation to the Division Dean for review. Students may submit portfolios as a means of documenting competency in a given field. The petition is then forwarded to the Vice-President of Instruction and Student Services for review. Recommendations are sent to Admissions and Records to be added to the academic record and for official student notification.
E. Credit by Advanced Placement is one means of achieving Advanced Standing through the administration of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Tests of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) are designed by The College Board to validate student learning and receive college credit. VHCC serves as an open testing center. General CLEP examinations are 90-minute, objective tests that measure achievement in the liberal arts, English, composition, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and history. Subject examinations measure achievement in specific college level courses. Tests can be scheduled by contacting the Learning Lab in the Division of Library and Instructional Support Services at VHCC. The CLEP registration guide can be obtained from the Learning Lab or by writing to The College Board, Box 1822, Princeton, New Jersey 08541.
It is the responsibility of the student to ascertain the acceptability of specific tests for particular courses and in the event the student plans to transfer. Faculty have recommended credit be awarded at VHCC for CLEP as follows:
|
Subject |
Type and Title of CLEP Exams |
VHCC Courses |
Equated VHCC Credits |
|
Biology |
Subject (General Biology ) |
BIO 101 BIO 102 |
4 4 |
|
Chemistry |
Subject (General Chemistry) |
CHM 111 CHM 112 |
4 4 |
|
Economics |
Subject (Prin. of Macro-economics) (Prin. of Micro-economics |
ECO 201 ECO 202 |
3 3 |
|
English |
General (English Composition) with essay* |
ENG 111 |
3 |
|
Subject (American Literature) |
ENG 241 ENG 242 |
3 3 |
|
|
Subject (English Literature |
ENG 243 ENG 244 |
3 3 |
|
|
Government |
Subject (Amer. Government) |
PLS 135 PLS 211 PLS 212 |
3 3 3 |
|
History |
Subject (Western Civilization) |
HIS 101 HIS 102 |
3 3 |
|
Mathematics |
Subject (Pre-Calculus I & II) |
MTH 163 MTH 164 |
3 3 |
|
(Calculus w/Elementary Functions) |
MTH 173 MTH 174 |
3 3 |
|
|
*This exam is available only in January, April, June, and October. Allow 4-6 weeks to receive your score report. |
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F. Credit may be granted as a means of achieving Advanced Standing through applicable Armed Service School Experiences, and for successful completion of correspondence courses and subject standardized tests (SST) of the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES), formerly the United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI). Advanced Standing may also be awarded in accordance with the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.
Tests of the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) designed by The College Board serve to validate student learning and receive college credit. VHCC serves as an open testing center. DANTES examinations are objective tests measuring achievement in the areas of mathematics; specialties in the social sciences such as human/cultural geography, lifespan development psychology, counseling, anthropology and others; specialties in the business fields such as finance, accounting, business law, organizational behavior, and others; applied technology in the areas of electrical circuits, electronic devices, technical writing and refrigeration technology among others; foreign languages; humanities; and physical science. Students requiring information may contact the Learning Lab or write to Educational Testing Service of The College Board, P. O. Box 6604, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6604.
Official CLEP and DANTES score reports should be submitted to the Admissions and Records office and forwarded to the appropriate Counselor for evaluation. The Counselor’s recommended evaluation is reviewed by the Division Dean and submitted to the Vice-President of Instruction and Student Services for approval. Recommendations are sent to Admissions and Records to be added to the academic record and for official student notification.
VHCC will accept the recommended cut off score for the CLEP and DANTES examination determined by the American Council on Education based on the national 50th percentile. CLEP and DANTES examinations are pass/fail examinations that recommend a P grade for the national 50th percentile cutoff; however, only credit is awarded for Advanced Standing and grades are not posted on the student’s academic record.
G. Credit may be granted as a means of achieving Advanced Standing for previous Non-collegiate Education and Training. Students may submit portfolios as a means of documenting competency in a given field. The Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) Examination is a professional, non-collegiate examination accepted for Advanced Standing in Business Technology programs.
The table below specifies the courses recommended for credit to students who present documented evidence of successfully passing the CPS exam and receiving the CPS designation. Students must first complete all other courses required in the Business Technology major (Accounting, Administrative Support Technology, Information Systems Technology, and Management) in which they are seeking an associate degree before these credits are posted on the transcript.
| CPS | EXAMINATION | RECOMMENDED CREDITS |
| Part I. | Finance and Business Law | |
| Business Law | 3 | |
| Macro Economics | 3 | |
| Accounting |
4 |
|
| Part II. | Office Systems and Administration | |
| Into. to DP/Computer Concepts | 3 | |
| Computer Applications | 3 | |
| Keyboarding | 1 | |
| Office Communications | 3 | |
| Office Procedures | 3 | |
| Part III. | Management | |
| Intro. to Management/Prin. of Management | 3 | |
| Human Relations | 3 | |
| Human Resource Management | 3 | |
| (regulation of employment included) | ||
| Up to 32 Total Credits are available |
The above recommendation for the three-part CPS Examination is included in the ACE Guide to Educational Credit by Examination.
H. Currently licensed LPNs who have been accepted to the nursing program may be offered the option of entering a summer Bridge Program - providing they have completed all the general education courses required for the LPN to RN bridge program and have either become licensed or have worked as an LPN during the most recent year. LPNs enrolled in the bridge program option will take four nursing courses in the summer semester and then move directly into the second year of the program in the fall semester.
II. Administration of Advanced Standing
The following criteria regulate Advanced Standing credit:
A. Students must petition in writing for Advance Standing and must provide official documentation as requested by faculty.
B. The determination of such credit must be made by qualified faculty at Virginia Highlands Community College and according to procedures and standards approved by the faculty to ensure that assessment procedures are appropriate for the credit awarded.
C. If documentation and interviews are used in lieu of examinations; the faculty must demonstrate that these methods provide assurances of academic comparability to credit earned by traditional means.
D. Prior experiential learning may be awarded for no more than 25% of the credit hours applied toward a degree. This policy specifically applies to Sections B, Credit by Examination and Section D, Credit for Equated Occupational Experience By policy, residency requirements dictate that students must complete 25% of their course work at the institution granting an Associate Degree.
E. Virginia Highlands Community College will award credit only:
1. For documented learning which ties the prior experience to the theories and data of the relevant academic field,
2. To matriculated students. Credit will be posted on the student’s academic transcript as Advanced Standing credit and upon request from another institution, VHCC will document how such learning was evaluated and the basis on which such credit was awarded.
The State Board for Community Colleges will establish minimum standards and will authorize community colleges to issue appropriate associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates to individuals who satisfactorily complete course and program requirements.
1. Degree, Diplomas and Certificates Awards
Virginia Highlands Community College offers the following degrees, diplomas, and certificates for students who successfully complete approved programs at the College:
A. Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree (AA&S) is awarded to students majoring in Liberal Arts, Business Administration, General Studies, Education, and Science who may plan to transfer to four-year colleges or universities after completing their community college programs.
B. Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) is awarded to students majoring in one of the occupational-technical curricula who may plan to obtain full-time employment immediately upon graduation from the College. (While college transfer is not a primary goal in the AAS Degree programs, opportunities may be available for students to move from these programs into advanced degree programs.)
C. The Diploma is awarded to students who complete a non-degree occupational program that is two years in length.
D. The Certificate is awarded to students who complete a non-degree program that is one year in length.
E. Certificate in Career Studies is awarded to students who complete a non-degree occupational program that is equivalent to at least one semester of study.
2. Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation with an associate degree from a community college, the student must:A. Associate Degree Requirements
1. Have fulfilled all of the course and credit-hour requirements of the degree curriculum with a minimum of 25 percent (25%) of the credits acquired at the College awarding the degree;
2. Have been certified for graduation by the appropriate college official;
3. Have earned a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all studies attempted that are applicable toward graduation in his/her curriculum;
4. Have filed an application for graduation in the Office of Admissions and Records;
5. Have resolved all financial obligations to the College and returned all library and college materials.
B. Diploma Requirements To be eligible for graduation with a diploma from the College, a student must:
1. Have fulfilled all of the course and credit-hour requirements of the diploma curriculum as specified in the College catalog with a minimum of 25 percent (25%) of the credits acquired at the college awarding the diploma;
2. Have been certified for graduation by the appropriate college official;
3. Have earned a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all studies attempted that are applicable toward graduation in their curricula;
4. Have filed an application for graduation in the Office of Admissions and Records;
5. Have resolved all financial obligations to the College and returned all library and other college materials.
C. Certificate Requirements
To be eligible for graduation with a certificate from the College, a student must:
1. Have fulfilled all of the courses and credit-hour requirements of the certificate curriculum as specified in the College catalog with a minimum of 25 percent (25%) of the credits acquired at the College awarding the certificate;
2. Have been certified for graduation by the appropriate college official;
3. Have earned a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all studies attempted that are applicable toward graduation in their curricula;
4. Have filed an application for graduation in the Office of Admissions and Records;
5. Have resolved all financial obligations to the College and returned all library and college materials.
If a student pursues a degree program but completes only the credits required for a certificate program, the division dean and the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services may recommend that a certificate be awarded.
3. Second Degree, Diploma, or Certificate
In awarding students an additional certificate, diploma, or degree, the College may grant credit for all previously completed applicable courses that are requirements of the additional certificate or degree. It may also, when appropriate, substitute alternate courses for those courses for which the students received credit in the previous certificate, diploma, or degree.
4. Graduation Honors
A student who has fulfilled the requirements for graduation as outlined, is eligible for graduation honors.
Appropriate honors based upon scholastic achievements are recorded on the student’s program as follows:
Grade Point Average Honor
3.2. to 3.49 Cum Laude (with honor)
3.5 to 3.79 Magna cum laude (with high honor)
3.8 to 4.00 Summa cum laude (with highest honor)
5. Graduation Commencement Ceremony
Virginia Highlands Community College has one formal graduation exercise each year for students completing one-year and two-year curricula. Attendance at the commencement ceremony shall be required of graduating students unless special permission to be absent is obtained from the College President or the President’s designee. A student will not be permitted to participate in a commencement ceremony scheduled prior to the completion of the student’s program of study.