Academic Information

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE AND ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE
Requirements include:

  1. completion of at least 60 semester hours of credit, depending upon the major selected, with a minimum of a "C" (2.0) overall quality point average;
  2. a minimum of 15 semester hours of credit above must be completed at Howard Community College. The college, to ensure the quality of its programs, reserves the right to determine which courses students must undertake to successfully complete a specific degree program;
  3. completion of the requirements of an approved curriculum in the college catalogue; and
  4. the recommendation of the faculty.

The associate of arts degree typically includes a 36-credit general education core and the associate of applied science degree includes a 20-credit general education core. The general education core includes courses in writing, literature, fine arts, humanities, mathematics, science, history, social sciences, and interdisciplinary and emerging issues.

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN TEACHING DEGREE
Requirements include:

  1. completion of at least 64 semester hours of credit in the specified program of study;
  2. a cumulative quality point average of at least 2.75 in the specified program of study;
  3. a passing score on the Praxis I exam;
  4. the recommendation of the faculty.

CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY
Requirements include:

  1. Completion of the approved curriculum in the college catalogue;
    2. achievement of a minimum of a "C" (2.0) overall quality point average;
  2. a minimum of 25 percent of the credit hours must be completed at Howard Community College;
  3. the recommendation of the faculty.

LETTER OF RECOGNITION
A letter of recognition is awarded to full- and part-time students who have completed a designated group of courses, totaling fewer than 12 credits. Letters of recognition are associated with certificate and degree programs. See individual division programs of study listings for available letters of recognition (pages 55-150). For more information please visit the appropriate academic division office. Students should submit applications for Letters of Recognition to the appropriate academic division office.

Graduation Petitions
Students who anticipate completing the requirements for an AA, AAS, or AAT degree or certificate are responsible for filing a graduation petition with the Office of Records and Registration and for paying the graduation fee (currently $25 for each degree or certificate). The petition includes a review of the student's completion of degree requirements; therefore, the petition must be signed by an advisor. The deadlines for submitting graduation petitions are: May graduation-March 15; Summer 1 Extended graduation-April 15; Summer 3 graduation-May 15; December graduation-October 15.

To be awarded a degree or certificate from Howard Community College, students must:

  1. Satisfy all requirements of an Associate of Arts Degree, Associate of Applied Science Degree, Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree, or a Certificate of Proficiency as indicated on this page.
  2. Be in good academic and financial standing with the college.
  3. Have their graduation petitions reviewed by an academic advisor and cleared by the Office of Records and Registration.

Students who do not complete degree or certificate requirements in the semester in which they first applied for graduation may petition for graduation at a later date.

A commencement ceremony is held in May each year. Students who completed degree or certificate requirements the previous Summer 3 or Fall, as well as those who complete their requirements in Spring or Summer 1 of the current year, are invited to participate.

Graduation candidates for certain years may be required to take a forty-minute Academic Profile Outcome Assessment Examination prior to the date of graduation. The scores on the exam will be used for statistical purposes measuring student progress. The scores will NOT be a part of a student's academic record. The exams will be given in the HCC Test Center.

PLACEMENT TESTING AND COLLEGE PREPARATORY STUDIES POLICY
Howard Community College's faculty and staff are committed to student success. Research has shown that students with reading, writing, and mathematics skills below the college-level are at great risk of failing college-level coursework. Therefore, the college requires students to take reading, writing, and mathematics placement tests in order to place them in courses appropriate to their skill level unless students qualify for an exemption as explained below. Information about placement tests and sample test questions is also available on the college website.

Mandatory Placement Testing Policies

  1. Students planning to enroll in English or math courses or in courses requiring English or math prerequisites must take placement tests unless they qualify for an exemption.
  2. All students in learning programs requiring English or mathematics must take placement tests by the time they have completed 12 credits unless they qualify for an exemption (see #4). After completion of 12 credits, students will not be permitted to register until appropriate placement tests have been taken.
  3. All students seeking admission to clinical nursing courses must take the English placement test unless they have earned a US bachelors degree.
  4. Placement Test Exemption Policies:
    1. Non-Degree Seeking Students-Non-degree seeking students who are not otherwise exempt from taking the placement test have two options:
      • Upon completion of 12 credits, non-degree seeking students must consult with an advisor for consent to register for additional coursework without placement testing. Such consent is granted based upon academic goals and past performance.
      • Enrollment as a CustomClass (noncredit student in a credit class) student. See page 31 or refer to the Schedule of Classes or the HCC website for more information.
    2. Prior College-Level English and/or Math Coursework-Demonstration in the form of a transcript or grade report of successful completion of prior college-level English and appropriate college-level math courses are exempt from taking the related placement exam.
    3. Completion of the Placement Test and/or the Highest Developmental Level at another Maryland Community College-Students who have taken the placement exam at another Maryland community college within the past two years or students who have completed the highest level reading, writing and/or math placement exam at another community college are eligible for a placement test exemption.
    4. Standardized Tests
      • CLEP, IB, AP Exams-Students who have taken English and or math CLEP, IB or AP exams may receive placement test waivers based upon the exam and the score. AP scores of 3, 4, or 5 are required on appropriate exams to receive placement test waivers. IB scores of 4, 5, 6, or 7 are required on appropriate exams to receive placement test waivers. Appropriate CLEP test scores vary by exam.
      • SAT Exams-Students who took the SAT during or after March 2005 do not have to take the reading or writing placement exams if they received a score of 550 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading exam. Students who took the SAT prior to March 2005 do not need to take the reading or writing placement exams if they received an SAT Verbal score of 550 or higher. A score of 550 or higher on either of these test versions results in an English placement into English-121. The basic math placement exam is waived for students with an SAT Math score of 550 or higher regardless of which version of the exam was taken. This results in placement into MATH-121, 122, 127, 128, 131 or 138. Students seeking higher placements must take HCC's advanced math placement exam unless they have met other criteria for higher placement.
      • ACT Exams-Students who received an ACT Reading subtest score of 21 or higher do not need to take the reading placement test. Students who received an ACT English subtest score of 21 or higher are exempt from the writing placement test. A score of 21 or higher on both the Reading and English subtests results in a placement into English -121. The basic math placement test is waived for those with and ACT Math subtest score of 21 or higher. This results in placement into MATH-121, 122, 127, 128, 131, 138. Students seeking higher placements must take HCC's advanced math placement exam unless they have met other criteria for higher placement.

Students must contact the Office of Admissions and Advising to arrange placement test exemptions.

Mandatory College Preparatory Studies
Students who require college preparatory coursework must enroll in the appropriate course(s). Enrollment in college preparatory courses must be continued each semester until the required sequence is completed.

DISTANCE LEARNING
Howard Community College delivers its academic programs in a variety of ways so students can choose to take courses from their homes or offices, reduce or eliminate the need

to physically come to campus, or accelerate their course completion. Distance learning courses are either offered online using the Internet, through telecourses which combine lessons aired on television and sessions with faculty, or in the interactive classroom which allows HCC students to share their educational experience with students and faculty at a completely different site.

All distance learning courses, no matter the delivery method, meet the same objectives as the on-site course, are as academically rigorous, and transfer to other institutions. HCC recognizes that providing distance learning opportunities makes it possible for even more people to receive a quality education. Each semester there is an increase in the HCC courses offered at a distance. Check the schedule of classes for a complete listing of the current semester's offerings. For more information, click on the Distance Learning hot spot on the HCC homepage at http://www.howardcc.edu.

Distance Learning Degrees
Students can complete the entire Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts, General Studies, and Business Administration online. More information and a complete listing of our online courses can be viewed at http://www.howardcc.edu/online. Students can complete the entire Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts, General Studies, and Business Administration online or through a combination of telecourses, online, and interactive TV courses.

Online Courses
Online courses allow students an opportunity to take classes from home, the office, or wherever they have access to a computer. Students interact with the instructor and other students via the Internet using e-mail, online discussions and chat groups. They can do classwork at their own pace using Internet technology and other tools. Online chat is an integral part of many of our online courses giving students a real-time opportunity to exchange ideas and a sense of being part of a class. Most instructors will provide students with a variety of times to join a chat group, and transcripts of online discussions can be saved and printed.

Students should be familiar with e-mail and accessing the Internet. Also, students must have access to the necessary computer technology, typically a Windows 95 or above PC or a Macintosh with at least a 14.4 modem and an Internet provider and WEB browser. Usually students find that their computer skills increase dramatically over the course of a semester.

CampusWeb Courses
CampusWeb courses make significant use of the Internet and online resources in addressing the course objectives. Because so many of the course transactions are conducted online, the amount of on-campus class meeting time is half that of the traditional on-campus version of the course.

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
Howard Community College believes that learning is a lifelong process and is acquired in many different ways. In addition to the traditional classroom setting, mastery of college-level knowledge and skills may occur as a result of nontraditional learning experiences such as employment, military training and experience, noncollegiate training programs, advanced high school courses, and self-development.

In accordance with State law, credit for up to seventy-five percent (generally forty-five credits) of an associate degree, or fifty percent of a certificate, may be granted for prior learning.

Credit age limitations apply for many health career programs, such as Nursing and Cardiovascular Technology. Clinical coursework is generally not accepted if completed more than three years ago. Time limitations exist for science courses. Depending on the health career program and science courses, the limit may be five or ten years. While age limitations do not apply to coursework in other programs, it is each student's responsibility to ensure that they have adequate prerequisite knowledge to be successful in their program of study. Therefore, students are strongly advised to retake or otherwise review prior prerequisite coursework whenever necessary.

To be awarded transfer credits, students must have a declared major. Official transcripts, along with an Official Transcript Evaluation Request Form, must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Advising. (The fee is $15 for a single learning program; $25 for multiple learning programs.) When students change their learning program, a new transcript evaluation must be done. It is the student's responsibility to officially request a new evaluation.

Howard Community College cannot guarantee that other colleges and universities where students may transfer will evaluate credit for prior learning in the same way it does. Students are strongly advised to consult with other institutions they are considering regarding their transfer credit policies.

Students may contact the Office of Admissions and Advising for further information at 410-772-4856 or Adm-Adv@howardcc.edu. The Transcript Evaluation Request Form is available at www.howardcc.edu/admissions/forms.

Traditional Prior Learning
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CREDIT-Credit may be granted for coursework completed at accredited colleges and universities. Transfer credit is granted based upon a student's learning program. A grade of "C" or higher is required for any coursework that is prerequisite to health career clinical courses in programs such as Nursing, Cardiovascular Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Radiologic Technology and programs included in the Mid-Maryland Allied Healthcare Education Consortium. The college awards credit for other coursework completed with a grade of "D" or above. However, it is imperative that students understand that while "D" grades may satisfy general education requirements at transfer institutions, they are unlikely to satisfy specific course requirements directly related to a student's major.

FOREIGN COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CREDIT-Credit is awarded, as appropriate, for coursework completed at foreign colleges and universities. However, Howard Community College's Office of Admissions and Advising generally does not evaluate foreign transcripts. Students seeking credit for coursework completed at foreign colleges and universities must have their transcripts evaluated by an accredited foreign transcript evaluation service. Credit may be granted for foreign coursework based upon the results of such evaluations as well as the same procedures which apply to coursework completed at U.S. colleges and universities. Additional information and a list of several accredited foreign transcript evaluation sources are available in the Office of Admissions and Advising.

HIGH SCHOOL ARTICULATION CREDIT-Students who have completed Howard County Public School career programs through the Technology Magnet Program or Career Academies may be eligible for academic credit at Howard Community College through an articulation agreement with the school system. Eligibility for this credit is based on a number of factors, including the student's learning program, other college coursework the student has earned, the student's grade in the high school course, and the specific terms of the articulation agreement. Students must submit to the college's Office of Admissions and Advising an official high school transcript and an Articulated Credit Form (available in high school guidance offices and the Office of Admissions and Advising). The award of credit for high school coursework does not guarantee that transfer institutions will grant credit for these courses or grant the same type of credit.

Nontraditional Prior Learning
State law limits the number of credits which can be awarded for nontraditional learning to thirty for both two-year and four-year colleges and universities. (This limit is based upon a 60-credit associate degree and/or a 120-credit bachelors degree. The nontraditional credit limit can be increased proportionally when these degrees exceed these credit totals.) The college awards applicable credits earned for the following nontraditional prior learning:

NONCOLLEGIATE PROGRAMS-Credit may be granted for educational programs which apply to students' learning programs and have been successfully completed at noncollegiate organizations such as government agencies, corporations and businesses, trade and technical schools, and others. Noncollegiate courses will be evaluated in accordance with American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations, as well as in accordance with the college's articulation agreements with nontraditional organizations and agencies. Official transcripts, along with an Official Transcript Evaluation Request Form, must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Advising.

MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING-Credit may be granted for a variety of formal military, vocational, and educational programs based upon a student's declared learning program at Howard Community College. Students will be awarded credit based upon recommendations made by the American Council on Education (ACE), as well as in accordance with the college's articulation agreements with individual military branches and organizations. Official military transcripts, including Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), AARTS, SMART, DD214, DD295 or other military transcripts, must be submitted with a Transcript Evaluation Request Form to the Office of Admissions and Advising.

PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT-Credit for prior learning acquired through employment, self-study, volunteer, civic, or other activities may be awarded through the portfolio assessment option. To earn credit through this method, students must enroll in a course specifically designed to assist in the development of a portfolio summarizing prior experiential learning. In COOP-160: Portfolio Development, students learn to document previous learning in a format that enables faculty to assess eligibility for academic credit. Students must demonstrate that prior learning and experience have resulted in the acquisition of college-level competencies and skills directly related to courses in their learning programs. Students have eighteen months to complete their assessment of prior learning through Portfolio Assessment. Specific prerequisites are necessary to participate in this program. For most programs, a maximum of 15 credits may be earned through this option. Further information may be obtained by contacting Dr. Peggy Walton, English/World Language Division 410-772-4068; pwalton@howardcc.edu).

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION-Students may be awarded credit through nationally standardized or HCC institutional testing programs. Howard Community College has specific policies for all testing programs for which it awards credits based upon scores, other credits earned, and students' learning programs. Credit is generally not awarded for institutional exams taken at other colleges and universities.

Students must submit official score transcripts, declare a major, and submit an official request for a transcript evaluation to receive credit for national examination programs. Information regarding required scores and credits awarded may be obtained by contacting the Office of Admissions and Advising.

NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS-The national examination programs for which the college awards credit are:

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams-These are subject-matter exams sponsored by the Educational Testing Service and generally administered through high schools at the culmination of Advanced Placement course offerings. Further information can be obtained by contacting high school guidance offices or the Educational Testing Service, Attention: AP Exams, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 (www.ets.org). The college generally awards credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)_ This is a national credit-by-examination program providing individuals of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to receive credit for college-level achievement acquired in a wide variety of ways. General and subject examinations are available in many different areas. Howard Community College administers CLEP examinations to current and prospective students. Additional information regarding CLEP can be obtained by contacting the Office of Admissions and Advising or the College Entrance Examination Board, Attention: CLEP, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540 (www.ets.org).

International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams-These are subject-matter exams administered in high school International Baccalaureate Programs. The college generally awards credit for scores of 4, 5, 6 or 7. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions and Advising or the International Baccalaureate Program, North American and Caribbean Region, 200 Madison Avenue, Suite 2301, New York, New York 10016 (www.ibo.org).

INSTITUTIONAL EXAMINATIONS—Institutional exams are offered at HCC for selected courses:

Proficiency Exams—These exams are taken prior to course enrollment when students believe they have mastery of course skills and objectives. Successful test performance results in course credits and appears on transcripts as proficiency credit. Proficiency exams cannot be retaken and cannot be taken by students previously unsuccessful in courses for which they are seeking credit. Students must be admitted to the college prior to taking proficiency exams. A fee equal to fifty percent of the current in-county tuition for the course will be charged for each proficiency examination. Proficiency exams must be taken within thirty calendar days after fee payment; students who do not take exams within this thirty-day limit will be notified that they have not passed.

Challenge Exams—These exams are taken after enrolling in courses when students believe they have acquired course skills and objectives. Successful test performance results in the award of course credit which, along with the grade earned, appears on a student's transcript. A challenge exam may only be attempted once during a course. If the exam does not result in a passing grade, the student remains in the course. There is no additional cost for challenge exams beyond course tuition and fees.

Students must contact the appropriate faculty or division chairperson to arrange proficiency and challenge exams. Lists of proficiency and challenge exams are available in the Office of Admissions and Advising and in division offices.

NURSING ACCELERATION CHALLENGE EXAM- Howard Community College administers the National League for Nursing's Acceleration Challenge Exam I. This exam is produced by the National League for Nursing and is designed to facilitate LPN to RN career mobility. The exam is one option used by the college to assess prior learning and experience in the nursing field and to assist the college with the award of clinical nursing transfer credit and advanced standing placement decisions. Further information regarding this may be obtained through the Office of Admissions and Advising.

HONORS AND ACADEMIC RECOGNITION

The Frederick K. Schoenbrodt Honors Program
The Frederick K. Schoenbrodt Honors Program offers excellent full- and part-time students of all ages flexible opportunities to fulfill their general education requirements as part of a supportive, intellectual community that helps prepare them for more advanced study and transfer. Students enjoy learning with outstanding faculty and peers in stimulating honors courses and through active participation in the college's academic and cultural events.

The Frederick K. Schoenbrodt Honors Program admits students who meet one or more of the following criteria:

Entry into an individual honors course by a non-honors track participant will be by the consent of the instructor of the course or by the Director of the Honors Program.

Honors students maintain a yearly cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher at HCC and participate in honors-designated events each semester.

Students who successfully complete 15 credits of honors coursework and present satisfactory evidence of honors-events participation will receive "Honors" designation on their transcripts.

Honors classes have limited enrollments. The college keeps the class size moderate so that there can be maximum contact between the instructor and the students.

In certain circumstances, consideration will be given to students for whom traditional indicators of success are not always valid.

James W. Rouse Scholars Program
This selective admissions honors and leadership program is for incoming high school seniors. For further details, see page 35.

Dean's List
Students who have carried and maintained at least 12 semester hours with a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better are eligible for nomination to the Dean's List. Students who qualify for the Dean's List must not have received an F, L, or W grade during the semester. Students who have met the qualifications will be recognized as superior students by the college, and their names will be published on the Dean's List each semester.

Dean's List for Part-Time Students
Part-time students who have accumulated 12 or more semester hours with a semester grade point average of 3.5 are eligible for nomination to the Dean's List for Part-Time Students. To qualify for the Dean's List for Part-Time Students, students must have completed a minimum of six credits in the semester under consideration. Furthermore, students who qualify for the list must not have received an F, L, or W grade during the semester. Students who qualify for this list will be recognized as superior students by the college, and their names will be published on the Dean's List for Part-Time Students each semester.

Honor Society
Alpha Alpha Sigma is the HCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society of two-year colleges. To be invited to join, students must meet the following criteria during a spring or fall semester: accumulate at least 12 credits in 100- and 200-level courses with no F, L, or W grade and have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA in those courses. Induction celebrations are held during both the fall and spring semesters. Phi Theta Kappa students who enroll in honors courses are eligible for a limited number of scholarships.

Graduation with Honors
Students who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above will be graduated with honors. Those students who have a grade point average of 3.75 or above will be graduated with high honors.

ACADEMIC PROCEDURES

Statement on Academic Freedom
 Institutions of higher education exist for the common good and not to further the interest of either the individual faculty member or the institution as a whole. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. It shall be the policy of Howard Community College to maintain and encourage full freedom, within the law, of inquiry, teaching and research for all faculty.

Although academic freedom is fundamental to the rights of the teacher and the student, it carries with it related duties and responsibilities. The faculty member is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing subject matter but should be careful not to introduce controversial topics which are not related to the course. The faculty member is responsible for insuring that the course content includes material specified by the college in the course description and course objectives.

The college faculty member is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and an officer of an educational institution. When speaking or writing as a citizen, the faculty member should be free from institutional censorship or discipline. However, the special position of the faculty member in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educational officer, he/she should remember that the public may judge the institution or the profession by statements made by individual faculty members. Therefore, accuracy, exercise of appropriate restraint and respect for the opinion of others should be displayed on- and off-campus. The faculty member should also make every effort to indicate that the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the institution.

Statement on General Education and Liberal Learning
A liberal education prepares students to lead ethical, productive, and creative lives and to understand how the pursuit of lifelong learning and critical thinking fosters good citizenship. General education courses form the core of a liberal education within the higher education curriculum and provide a coherent intellectual experience for all students by introducing the fundamental concepts and methods of inquiry in the areas of mathematics, the physical and natural sciences, the social sciences, the arts and the humanities, and composition. General education courses develop students' abilities to communicate effectively in oral and written English and to perform numerical analyses at a college level; develop students' abilities to think and express themselves analytically, critically, and creatively, and to read with comprehension; foster qualities of open-mindedness, inquiry, and the rational assessment of data; provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in solving complex problems and to apply ethical principles to inquiry; prepare students to adapt to the increasing integration of information technology in all fields of knowledge; encourage students to connect knowledge across these disciplines and to understand themselves as well as their social, aesthetic, political, and physical environment; and foster in students an understanding of and respect for diverse human cultures. Howard Community College recognizes the development of ethical judgment as an integral part of one's education and supports the integration of ethical issues into the core curriculum.

Learning Outcomes Assessment and Accountability
Howard Community College is committed to the philosophy of educational accountability. In order to determine that students are attaining the knowledge and skills appropriate to various courses and programs, regular and planned assessment activities occur.

The assessment activities may take diverse forms including standardized assessments, placement tests, faculty-developed evaluations, focus sessions, and surveys. The college believes that such input is vital to its responsibility to maintain quality instruction. Therefore, class time may be used at times for these activities and it is expected that students will participate in the processes when asked. Confidentiality of responses is ensured. Entering freshmen and graduating students are required to take the Academic Profile.

Student Records Policy
TRANSCRIPTS AND ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION-Students may view and print unofficial academic transcripts online by using HCC Express found on the HCC website. Students may request copies of their official academic transcript through The National Student Clearinghouse via HCC Express or by mailing a request to the Office of Record and Registration or submitting a written request in person. The office processes transcripts within 48 business hours of receiving requests.

Instant enrollment verification certificates may be obtained online at no charge through the National Student Clearinghouse via HCC Express.

Students must notify the Records and Registration or Admissions offices, in writing, of record changes including name, address, telephone number, or e-mail address. The Office of Admissions and Advising must be notified about learning program changes. Forms are available on both office's websites.

The college reserves the right to withhold a transcript if the student has an outstanding debt to the college or other restrictions.

Confidentiality—No one outside the college shall have access to, nor will the college disclose, any personally identifiable information from a student's records without the student's written consent.

Exceptions include: college employees who have legitimate educational interest, such as personnel in the offices of Admissions and Advising, Records and Registration, faculty, vice presidents, executive vice president and the president within the limitations of their need to know. Additional exceptions include officials of other institutions in which students seek to enroll; persons or organizations providing students with financial aid; accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function; persons complying with a judicial order; and those who, in an emergency, must protect the health or safety of students or others. All these exceptions are permitted under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

This policy is written and published in accordance with the amended Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. The college accords all rights under the act to its students.

Directory Information—The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows the Director of Records and Registration (Registrar) to release student directory information. This information may include names, date of birth, addresses, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, major fields of study, attendance dates, degrees, honors, and awards, participation in officially recognized college activities or sports and athletic team members' weight and height. The college generally will release only the student's name, dates of attendance, degrees, and honors earned as directory information.

To have directory information withheld, notify the registrar in writing. The college honors such requests only for the current term; students should file renewed requests at the start of each term.

Record Inspection—The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students the right to inspect and review information contained in their education records and to challenge the content of their records. The registrar coordinates the inspection and review procedures for student education records.

Under FERPA, students may request inspection and review of all or part of their records by writing to the registrar. Records covered by FERPA will be available within 45 days of the request. A student may have copies made of the records with certain exceptions (e.g., a copy of the academic transcript for which a "hold" exists or a transcript of an original or source document which exists elsewhere).

Education records include admissions, financial, academic, and financial aid files as well as cooperative education and placement records. Education records do not include records of instructional and administrative personnel, which are the sole possession of the maker.

Disciplinary records are held by the executive vice president of student services separate from education records in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Alumni, student health and security records are not considered education records.

Students may not review financial information submitted by their parents, confidential letters and recommendations tied to admissions, employment, job placement or honors to which they have waived inspection and review rights; or records involving more than one student. In that case, the college will allow access only to the part of the record involving the inquiring student.

Also, the college is not required to let students review confidential letters and recommendations placed in their files prior to

Jan. 1, 1975 if they were collected under established policies of confidentiality and used only for purposes for which they were collected.

Further, any student who believes his/her rights were abridged may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Family Policy Compliance Office, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

Student Academic Complaint Procedures
Students who have academic complaints (including a specific academic complaint involving a faculty member) that remains unresolved through informal means, may enter a formal process of problem resolution. The Student Academic Complaint Procedures and the appropriate form may be obtained from the division offices. An academic complaint is defined as issues related to classroom instruction or grade disputes (including late penalties, acceptance or non-acceptance of late assignments and incomplete grades). The student and instructor are encouraged to seek resolution informally before filing an academic complaint. Students wishing to initiate a formal academic complaint must submit an academic complaint form to the appropriate division chair by the end of the seventh week of the next full semester.

Grading and Attendance Policy for Courses
The method(s) for evaluation and grading within a course will be clearly stated in the course syllabus. Evaluation procedures will be objective and appropriately related to the course's objectives and content.

Howard Community College does not have a college-wide attendance policy; however, regular class attendance is one of the most important responsibilities of the student. Each instructor determines the requirements for attendance, which in many cases will count toward the final grade. Attendance requirements will be clearly spelled out in the course syllabus and discussed by the instructor.

Academic Persistence and Catalogue Requirements
Students attending Howard Community College will follow the catalogue requirements in effect during the semester they enrolled, or any catalogue thereafter, provided they maintain continuous enrollment. Students may take up to two calendar years off and still graduate under the catalogue requirements they had been following as long as they complete a course in the last semester attended and complete a course in the semester they return. Students who take more than two calendar years off must be readmitted to the college (though they do not need to pay another application fee). (Exceptions are possible only in extraordinary circumstances.)

All students who change their learning program must follow the curriculum requirements of the catalogue in place when the change is made. (Exceptions are possible only in extraordinary circumstances such as military deployment.)

Even when students select the same learning program, they must follow the program requirements in place when they are readmitted.

To officially change learning programs, students must complete a Change of Learning Program Form which must be signed by an advisor and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Advising. This form is available in this office or on the college's advising website (www.howardcc.edu/advising/forms/HTML).

Students who have been granted course substitutions or who previously transferred credits into the college must also officially request a re-evaluation of their academic record based upon their new learning program and/or the new catalogue they are following.

Drop
A student who wishes to drop a class and receive a refund must officially do so using the HCC Express link on the college website, through Telephone Registration, or in person at the Office of Records and Registration during the specified period of time. A class may only be dropped during the first 20% of its scheduled meeting dates. The schedule of classes publication lists the drop dates for each semester. The percent of refund depends upon the date that the class is officially dropped. Classes that are dropped do not appear on the academic transcript. Drop periods are prorated for classes that have fewer meeting dates or classes that start later than the regular semester start date.

Veterans whose classes have been certified under the GI Bill, must notify the VA Certifying Official in the Office of Records and Registration when dropping classes. Failure to do so may result in overpayment from the VA. International (F-1) students must receive consent from the international student advisor prior to dropping from a course. Not doing so could seriously jeopardize a student's F-1 visa status.

NA Grade
A student who registers for a course and does not report to class within the first twenty percent of scheduled class sessions may be given the grade of "NA" (indicating never attended) for the course and will not receive any refund of tuition. This may affect financial aid.

Official Withdrawal
A student who wishes to officially withdraw from a course must complete a withdrawal form in the Registration Office or withdraw by web or touchtone. Verification of this action will be sent to the student via US mail. Veterans whose classes have been certified under the GI Bill, must notify the VA Certifying Official in the Office of Records and Registration when withdrawing from classes. Failure to do so may result in overpayment from the VA. International (F1) students must receive consent from the international student advisor prior to withdrawing from a course. Not doing so could seriously jeopardize an F1 student's status. This action should be taken as soon as the student ceases attendance but must be done between the third and tenth week of classes during a regular semester. The schedule of classes publication will list each semester's withdrawal deadline date. Students withdrawing officially from a class will receive a grade of "W." Students who do not withdraw by the posted deadline must accept the final grade earned for the course. The "W" will appear on the student's transcript and show as hours attempted but will not be calculated into the student's GPA. After attempting twelve (12) cumulative credits, students will be placed on academic probation if they withdraw from more than 50% of credits.

REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT

Auditing Courses
An audit designation must be specified during registration. No credit will be given. Audit status can ONLY be converted to credit status and credit status can ONLY be converted to audit status during the first three weeks of a major semester. Students may convert their status only once during that period. Audited courses do not count as part of the semester's credit hour load nor as credit towards graduation unless repeated for credit. In addition, audited courses will appear on the transcript with a grade of N.

CustomClass
"CustomClass" is an enrollment option which allows students to enroll in credit classes without having been admitted as credit students or meeting the normal prerequisites. CustomClass students select this option at the time of registration and CANNOT later change to credit or audit status. They will be exposed to the material and instruction in a credit course but will not receive grades or transcripts for the course. Some courses may be eligible for CEUs (continuing education units) or certifications from the Continuing Education Division.

Cancellation of Courses
The college may cancel any course due to insufficient registration.

Credits
One semester hour of credit is generally assigned for each lecture period or laboratory session. Lecture periods are 52 minutes and laboratory sessions are two to three hours in length per credit.

Semester Schedule
A full-time student schedule for either the fall or spring semester generally consists of 12 to 18 credit hours. Students registered for less than 12 credit hours are classified as part time. Schedules in excess of 18 semester hours must be approved by a counselor or academic advisor. Students enrolled in a term of less than ten weeks may take a maximum of eight credits.

Certain Allied Health programs, during the clinical phase, may be considered full-time with less than 12 credits.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS
It is expected that students will make satisfactory progress each semester they are enrolled. At the end of the Fall and Spring semesters, the progress of each student will be reviewed against the standard of satisfactory progress as stated below. Financial aid recipients are subject to additional standards of academic progress as required by financial aid regulations; see page 22 for further information.

Satisfactory performance at Howard Community College means:

  1. achieving a minimum semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
  2. successfully completing at least 50% of the credits attempted each semester.

Academic Probation
After attempting 12 cumulative credits and having enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits in a given semester, a student will be placed on academic probation if his or her academic performance falls into either category at the completion of that semester:

  1. The student grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.0; or
  2. The student does not successfully complete at least 50% of the credits attempted. Grades of "F" and "W" are considered non-successful completion of credits. Grades of I, N, L, and NA are not considered as attempted credits.

When placed on academic probation, the student must meet the requirements for minimum satisfactory performance in the next major semester or the student will be suspended. If the student meets those standards, the student will be off probation.

Participants in the selective admissions Rouse Scholars Program will be put on probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.5. The student has a semester to recover his or her GPA. During this probation period there will be no diminishing of support or standing. A student failing to re-establish his or her GPA within the next semester will no longer be a Rouse Scholar. This situation does not affect his or her standing, enrollment or non-program scholarships and aid at Howard Community College.

Students on probation may be required to take a reduced course load.

Academic Suspension
The student on probation who does not meet the minimum standard of satisfactory performance the next major semester in which he or she is enrolled will be placed on academic suspension. When placed on suspension, the student may not attend HCC during the next major semester. Students have the right to appeal academic suspension.

SUSPENSION APPEAL—There may be mitigating circumstances contributing to a student being suspended; therefore, the student may appeal his or her suspension. Details of the appeal process are included in the letter notifying the student of his or her suspension. If the student's appeal is granted, the student will remain on academic probation and the course schedule may be restricted. Additionally, if the student does not meet satisfactory performance standards, he or she will be placed on suspension.

 

 

READMISSION AFTER SUSPENSION—Students who are suspended and have been out for one major semester must contact the Coordinator of Retention. Upon readmission, the student will remain on academic probation, the course schedule may be restricted and the student must meet the satisfactory progress standard as stated above. If satisfactory progress is not met, the student will be suspended. Students have the right to appeal academic suspension. Specific readmission procedures for the nursing program are found under the "Withdrawal" guidelines found on page 31.

GRADING SYSTEM

Final grades will be issued at the end of each semester. All grades earned will remain on the official transcript.

Letter grades earn quality points according to the following schedule:
GradeQuality Points Per Credit HourStandard
A 4 Mastery of course objectives with outstanding quality of academic achievement
B 3 Mastery of course objectives with high quality of academic achievement
C 2 Mastery of course objectives
D 1 Minimum passing grade (does not meet minimum grade required for developmental courses, Nursing, Cardiovascular Technology, and Emergency Medical Services prerequisites and clinical coursework.)
F 0 Lack of mastery of course objectives
W None Withdraw. This grade is given at the time of withdrawal no later than the end of the tenth week of classes.
I None Incomplete. A temporary designation generally given only in an emergency situation such as illness which results in the student's inability to complete course objectives. A student must have successfully completed 75% of the course objectives, as determined by the instructor, for the "I" designation. This designation must be changed to a permanent grade other than W or L within a period of time determined by the instructor at the time the I designation is assigned. Normally the period to complete objectives shall not exceed the end of the seventh week of the next full semester or it will be converted to an F grade. A written agreement by the instructor specifying the necessary objectives and period of time within which they need to be completed shall be sent to the student with a copy to the student's permanent file.
L None The L grade is assigned only in developmental courses to students who have not mastered the course objectives due to individual learning characteristics. In order to qualify for an L grade, students must work with steady diligence, effort and near perfect attendance, and must show progress on course objectives. Students may be required to seek additional assistance beyond class sessions. The L grade is not computed in the students' grade point averages. Those who receive an L grade must reregister and repeat the developmental course.
NA None Never Attended. This grade is assigned to students who register for a course and do not report or participate within the first twenty percent of scheduled class sessions.
N None Audit

The total semester hours earned by a student are equivalent to the total of the credit hours for which a grade of A, B, C, D or F was recorded. A student's grade point average (GPA) is recorded on his or her official transcript. The GPA is calculated as follows:
Total Quality Points Earned
Total Semester Hours Attempted
=
Grade Point
Average

Grades with the indication of "None" under Quality Points Per Credit Hour in the grade schedule are not used in computing the GPA. Grade records are maintained in the Office of Records and Registration. An official transcript may be obtained for completed work by writing to the Office of Records and Registration. Students who have not met all of their financial obligations will have transcripts and grades withheld until such obligations are satisfied. If a student repeats a course, the highest grade earned in the course will count toward the grade point average (GPA); however, all attempts and the resulting grades will appear on the transcript.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Definition
Academic honesty means the use of one's own thoughts and materials in the writing of papers, taking of tests, and other classroom related activities. Any student intentionally aiding another student in any infraction of the academic honest policy is considered equally guilty.

Students are expected to give full credit for the borrowing of other's words or ideas. Intentional or unintentional use of another's words or ideas without acknowledging this use constitutes plagiarism.

There are four common forms of plagiarism:

Misrepresentation is the submission of materials for evaluation that are not the student's own.

Unauthorized use of notes or another individual's materials, copying, using another individual's materials, or unauthorized prior knowledge of the contents of tests, quizzes or other assessment instruments shall be considered a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.

Penalties
The college expects academic honesty from its students. Procedures for dealing with intentional infraction of the Academic Honesty Policy are:

First Infraction—For the first infraction of the Academic Honesty Policy the faculty member shall give the student a "0" or its equivalent on the paper, examination, or presentation in question. The faculty member will notify the student and explain the reason for the grade. This action could result in a lower final grade. The appropriate division chairperson will be informed of the infraction in writing and the vice president of student services will notify the student in writing of the consequences and implications of this infraction.

Second Infraction—The faculty member shall give the student a "0" on the paper, examination, or presentation in question. A second infraction of the Academic Honesty Policy, either in the same course or in another course, will also result in an automatic "F" in the course in which the second infraction occurred. Upon written notification from the appropriate division chair that an academic honesty infraction occurred, and a determination is made that a second infraction has occurred, the vice president of student services will notify the student of the "F" for the course and make the faculty member aware that a second infraction has occurred. The student will be dropped from the course and barred from further class participation. In cases where the second infraction occurs in the same course, the faculty member will notify the student and explain the reason for the "F" in the course. Otherwise, the vice president of student services will notify the student of the "F" in the course. The vice president of student services will notify the director of records and registration that the student is to receive an "F" for the course. The vice president of student services will meet with the student involved and apprise the student of the implication of this second infraction.

Third Infraction—The faculty member shall give the student a "0" on the paper, examination, or presentation in question. The faculty member will notify the student and explain the reason for the grade. A third infraction of the Academic Honesty Policy will also result in an automatic "F" in the course in which the third infraction occurred. Upon notification from the appropriate division chair that an academic honesty infraction occurred and a determination is made that a third infraction has occurred, the vice president of student services will notify the student of the "F" for the course and make the faculty member aware that a third infraction has occurred. The student will be dropped from the course and barred from further class participation. The vice president of student services will notify the director of records and registration that the student is to receive an "F" for the course. A third instance of plagiarism or any behavior involving an infraction of the Academic Honesty Policy will result in disciplinary action as determined by the Student Judicial Process.