Admissions

General Admission to the College

Applying to WCC

A student is eligible for admission to WCC if the student is:

• A high school graduate or its equivalent or GED recipient;
• A non-high school graduate 18 years of age or older and able to benefit from a program at WCC;
• A transfer student from an accredited college or university;
• A student who is enrolled in high school at the junior or senior level as part of the Dual Enrollment Program;
• A home-schooled student.
   

Wytheville Community College reserves the right to evaluate and document special cases and to refuse admission if the college determines that the applicant is a threat or a potential danger to the college community or if such refusal is considered to be in the best interest of the college.

The college reserves the right to rescind the admission of any student that cannot produce the necessary documentation for admission or a foreign student that cannot produce a visa that gives him or her educational status in the United States.

Wytheville Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, political affiliation, genetics, veteran status, or disability when the person is otherwise qualified in its educational programs and activities or employment. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Malinda Eversole, Director of Human Resources, 111 Smyth Hall, 1000 East Main Street, Wytheville VA 24382, (276) 223-4869. For further information, see the list of OCR enforcement offices for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area or call 1-800-421-3481.

Online Application Process

The online application can be found at apply.vccs.edu.

Providing your Social Security Number ensures that you do not create a duplicate student record for classes you may have taken at other colleges in the Virginia Community College System. Note: If you do not provide your Social Security Number, you will receive the following message:

“If you do not give your Social Security Number, access to some services will be limited, tax reporting information will not be available, and financial aid will be delayed. If you choose not to provide your Social Security Number, click OK. Otherwise, click CANCEL and change to your valid Social Security Number.”

WCC will not use your Social Security Number once your Student ID has been issued.

Admission Checklist

In order to be admitted as a regular student, the following items are required:

• A completed official application for admission. (A WCC application form is available via the college’s Internet web site at https://apply.vccs.edu/oa/launch.action.);
• Official transcripts from high school and all colleges/universities attended should be submitted at time of application;
• Completion of placement survey if applicable.

WCC Policy Related to Legislation Regarding Admissions

Section 23.1-407 of the Code of Virginia requires that the VCCS send enrollment information to the Virginia State Police concerning applicants to institutions of higher education. This information is transmitted electronically and compared against the Virginia Criminal Information Network and National Crime Information Center Convicted Sexual Offender Registry. Violation of this Code Section may result in criminal penalties as listed in 18.2-472.1 of the Code of Virginia. Language on the web application informs applicants that their information is being transmitted to the State Police.

In the event that the State Police determine that an applicant to Wytheville Community College is listed on the Sex Offender Registry, the State Police will notify WCC. When the college receives such a notification, the following procedures apply:

A. The applicant will be denied admission to WCC in accordance with its admission policy as published in its catalog: Admission Denied/Revoked: Admission to the college, or to college functions or activities, may be denied or revoked to individuals who are unable to demonstrate safe and/or non-disruptive conduct.

B. If the applicant registers for classes and becomes a student before the college receives notification from the State Police, the student will be immediately informed that he/she is being administratively withdrawn from classes and will receive a refund.

C. An applicant may invoke his/her right to an appeal process.

Appeal Process for Denial of Admission or Withdrawal for Convicted Sex Offender

When a convicted sex offender is denied admission to or is administratively withdrawn from classes at Wytheville Community College, he/she may invoke the following appeal process:

1. The applicant or withdrawn student will receive a letter from the Dean of Student Success and Academic Development stating his/her denial of admission or administrative withdrawal.
2. The applicant/withdrawn student may write a letter of appeal to the Dean of Student Success and Academic Development in which he/she provides the following information:
   1. Disclosure of the nature of the offense for which he/she has been convicted;
   2. Justification for consideration of admission/reinstatement.

Note: If a student is appealing a denial of admission or an administrative withdrawal, he/she must submit the letter of appeal to the Dean of Student Success and Academic Development within seven (7) calendar days of the administrative withdrawal.

A. The college Threat Assessment Team (TAT) will review the information submitted and make a decision within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the letter of appeal. The Dean of Student Success and Academic Development will serve as the convener of the panel and will be a member of the panel.

B. The Dean of Student Success and Academic Development will inform the applicant/withdrawn student by letter of the decision of the TAT team.

C. If the decision of the TAT is not satisfactory, the student will meet with the Vice President of Academics and Institutional Advancement in a personal conference. The Vice President of Academics and Institutional Advancement has five (5) working days, after this meeting, to render his/her decision regarding the matter to the prospective student. If a satisfactory resolution of the concern does not result from the conference, the student may file a written grievance within five (5) working days with the Dean of Student Success and Academic Development.

D. If the decision of the Vice President of Academics and Institutional Advancement is not satisfactory to the student, he/she may request in writing within five (5) working days that the President review the findings of the Vice President. The President has five (5) working days to render a final decision. The decision of the President is final.

WCC Policy Related to Admission of Students Deemed to Pose a Threat or Potential Danger

Per VCCS Policy Manual Section 6.0.1.1, the college reserves the right to evaluate and document special cases and to refuse or revoke admission if the college determines that the applicant or student poses a threat, is a potential danger, is significantly disruptive to the college community, or if such refusal or revocation is considered to be in the best interest of a college. The college also reserves the right to refuse admission for applicants who have been suspended from or determined to be a threat, potential danger, or significantly disruptive by another college.

Ability to Benefit Criteria

Students must be high school graduates and have a regular high school diploma or GED in order to receive financial aid. In order to show an ability to benefit, a student must receive a passing score on the WCC placement tests as established by the U.S. Department of Education. Test results will serve as official documentation of the student’s ability to benefit from college-level classes. Students who are still in high school are not eligible for financial aid. Listed are the developmental placement levels required to meet the ability to benefit threshold:

Placement Procedures and Testing

Proper placement in math and English classes is important to assure that students are academically prepared for college-level work regardless of prior grades, work experience, or academic history. All students who are entering a program of study or enrolling in any program that requires a math or English prerequisite must be assessed for placement. 

High School Graduates: 6 or more years since graduation

Students who have been out of high school or received a GED more than 6 years before applying to WCC shall be placed into college level English and mathematics courses. After consultation with an advisor, students may request to enroll in co-requisite or pre-requisite developmental courses.

High School Graduates: less than 6 years since graduation

 Students who graduated from high school or the equivalent less than six years before applying to a VCCS college shall be placed into college level English and mathematics courses using the following means and measures:

 a) Any student who has earned an associate degree or higher or who has earned a C or better in college-level courses in math and/or English at a VCCS college or another institution will be considered ready for college level English and math courses provided they meet the prerequisites for the respective courses in their chosen program of study.

 b) Any student who has successfully completed all required developmental courses at a VCCS institution will be considered ready for college level English and math courses.

 c) Any student who has successfully completed all required developmental courses at a non-VCCS institution will have their coursework evaluated for entry into college level math and English courses.

 d) Any student who placed into or attempted a college-level math course, regardless of the grade earned, at another college may be placed into the equivalent VCCS math course.

 e) Student-reported high school GPA and highest math course will be used to determine readiness to enroll in college level English and math courses as shown in 6.4.0.2.1 and 6.4.0.2.2. High school seniors who have not yet graduated may be evaluated as of the completion of the first semester of the senior year to determine readiness for placement into college-level courses.

 f) Official or unofficial GED, ACT and SAT score reports may be used to determine readiness to enroll in college level English and math courses as shown in 6.4.0.2.1 and 6.4.0.2.2.

 g) Virginia Placement Test (VPT) may be used only where external documentation of prerequisite or co-requisite developmental courses is required or where otherwise stipulated in policy for a specific group.  This includes transfer students who do not have credit in mathematics or English.

Measures for College Level Math Readiness

Student readiness for college level math courses will be determined using one of the following measures.

Measures for College Level English Placement                                           

Student readiness for college-level English courses will be determined using one of the following measures.

Accepting Multiple Measures for Placement Across Colleges

Student-reported HSGPA and standardized test scores recorded in the student information system at one VCCS institution shall be honored for placement by other VCCS institutions.

Because placement decision for Pre-Calculus II and Calculus are based on HSGPA and higher level math courses are college-specific, students who attend mutiple VCCS colleges may experience different placement requirements for these courses.

Exceptions to Placement

Individual exceptions for higher-level placement must be approved by the chief academic officer or designee. Students may only be moved to a lower-level class at their request and with approval of the chief academic officer. 

Admission to Specified Curricula

In addition to the general admission requirements, there are usually specific requirements for each curriculum at Wytheville Community College. These specific requirements are listed in the Academic Plan Offerings section of the college catalog.

In order to be eligible for Financial Aid, student must request and be placed in an approved program plan. Applicants will be placed in the plan they select on their Application for Admission. In addition to the general admission requirements, specific requirements are prescribed for each curriculum of the College. The specific requirements for each curriculum are listed in the Programs of Study section of this catalog. Students applying for admission to an Associate Degree program (Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science) must be a high school graduate or the equivalent, or otherwise be considered eligible by the College. 

A non-curricular student may be required to submit transcripts from colleges and universities attended; however, transcripts are required if the student’s status changes from non-curricular to curricular student.

Enrollment of Home School Students

Wytheville Community College admissions policies address students who have high school diplomas or the equivalent or who are at least 18 years of age and able to benefit from the college experience. The policies also address students who are less than 18 years of age and who are currently enrolled in a secondary school. The college will also consider the admission of students who are less than 18 years of age and do not have a high school diploma, who are not attending a public or private school, and who are documented as “home school students.” These students may be accepted at Wytheville Community College as described below. The program of studies for such admitted students is considered an enrichment to their home school program.

The following policies and procedures will apply to the enrollment of home school students:

1. An applicant for admission who does not have a high school diploma and is not at least 18 years of age is required to demonstrate, prior to enrollment, appropriate basic skills equal to those expected of other entering students.
2. All enrolled students are subject to all of the rules, policies, and procedures of the college pertaining to attendance, confidentiality of records, conduct, etc., as described in the WCC Catalog and Student Handbook.
3. Students who are home schooled must provide current documentation (letters to/from school system or state) that they are “home school students” to the Office of Admissions and Records prior to enrollment in the college.
4. The home school student must meet with a college advisor to discuss enrollment prior to registration.
5. The home school student is subject to the same basic skills assessment requirements as are other enrolling students and may be required to complete appropriate developmental courses.

WCC Policy Related to Legislation Regarding Admissions for Veterans

Congress passed the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (Veterans Choice Act), which was codified in 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) 6 and modified in December, 2016. Under Section 702 of this law, certain veterans and their dependents utilizing military education benefits would be eligible for in-state tuition at public institutions. Please visit the Tuition  section of the College Catalog for the guidelines in determining In-state tuition for Veterans.

Admission Requirements for International Students

International students are defined as persons who are not citizens of the United States and who hold either temporary or permanent visas. International students applying to the college for admission must hold a valid visa as determined by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services.

All international students on F-1 visas who have entered the United States to study at another college, university or language school must provide proper documentation to transfer to Wytheville Community College.

All international students requiring an I-20 form and all holders of F-2 visas seeking enrollment are required to:

1. Have the equivalent of an American high school diploma. Certified translations into English of all official transcripts and records of previous educational experiences must be sent to WCC by the originating institution.
2. Submit documentation that the applicant possesses health insurance.
3. Submit verification of financial support by completing the Foreign Students Financial Aid and Declaration issued by the college. The form may be obtained from the WCC Admissions and Records Office.
4. In addition to the general admission requirements of the College, all international applicants who wish to enroll as curricular students and whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in both written and oral English through use of either a standardized national or locally developed test. International applicants must comply with established college admissions policies specifically related to those requiring issuance of an I-20 Form of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
5. Submit a minimal score of 500 on the “Test of English as a Foreign Language” (TOEFL), a minimal score of 61 on the TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT), or a minimal score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
6. Submit all appropriate documentation and test scores 60 days prior to regular registration for the semester of requested enrollment. For more information, contact the WCC Admissions and Records Office at 276-223-4701. Students will not be admitted until all general and special requirements for admission are complete, nor will they be admitted on provisional basis.  Students for whom an I-20 form has been submitted must maintain full-time status.

Admission Priority

When enrollments must be limited for any curriculum, priority shall be given to all qualified applicants who are residents of the political subdivisions supporting the college and to Virginia residents not having access to that curriculum at their local community college, provided such students apply for admission to the program by the deadline established by the college. In addition, residents of localities with which the college has clinical-site or other agreements may receive equal consideration for admission.

Admission of Students Transferring from Other Colleges

A student transferring from another college and eligible for reentry to that college is usually eligible for admission to Wytheville Community College. Students ineligible to return to particular curricula at other colleges generally will not be allowed to enroll at Wytheville Community College until one semester elapses. For transfer students not eligible to return to their previous institutions and seeking admission to particular curricula, the Admissions and Standards Committee of the college will decide each case prior to the beginning of the semester and may impose special conditions for the admission of such students, including placement on academic probation.

A student transferring from another college should consult the Admissions and Records Office at Wytheville Community College for an assessment of credits before registering for classes. The college accepts transfer credits from other similarly-accredited institutions. A student must have earned a grade of “C” or higher in any course for which credit is granted; the course or its equivalent should be listed and described in the VCCS Curriculum Guide, and it must be applicable to the curriculum in which the student is enrolled. Transfer students may be advised to repeat courses if it is clearly necessary in order for them to make satisfactory progress in their curricula. Grades and GPA earned at other colleges do not transfer and are not part of the student’s permanent record at WCC.

Transfer Between Curricula

A student may wish to change academic direction. In such cases, the student should make an appointment with an advisor in Student Services to process an online Change of Program Form and to identify new curriculum requirements. Students would need to request that any outside transcripts be reevaluated. 

Re-Admission

Curricular students returning to the college will be expected to follow catalog requirements in place at the time of their initial admission or the catalog that is currently in place when the student returns, dependent on which is most advantageous to the student, unless there are restrictions listed in individual programs of study.

Selective Admissions Procedures for Health Professions Programs

Admission to one of Wytheville Community College’s associate degree health programs is different from admission to other programs at the college because there is a limit to the number of applicants admitted. The number of applicants admitted to the health programs is limited for several reasons: number of places available for clinical experiences, accreditation restrictions and limitations on campus facilities (classrooms and laboratories and the number of faculty). Students wishing to apply to one of the following programs will need to submit a Health Program Application on the WCC website:  Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technology, Nursing, and Physical Therapist Assistant by the published deadline.   Students will be required to submit a Wytheville Community College application, a Health Professions Application specifying the program of interest, official transcripts from high school, GED, and any colleges previously attended unless the previous school was a community college in Virginia. Students may also need to complete college placement tests for math, reading and writing as well as the ATI/TEAS-V for Nursing and TEAS-V AH for Allied Health pre-admission test. Students must complete any developmental courses required for the curriculum of choice prior to being considered for admission to a program.

A comprehensive Criminal Background Check for criminal history and sex offender crimes against minors and a drug screen are required by most programs for entrance into some clinical agencies. Students with convictions may be prohibited from clinical practice or ineligible to sit for required licensure examinations, and, therefore, may not complete the program. Clinical agencies and/or WCC may require drug testing prior to placement for students in clinical rotations. If documented unusual and erratic behaviors suggesting drug and/or alcohol abuse are exhibited once a student is admitted into a program, the clinical agency and/or WCC may also require drug or alcohol intoxication testing at that time.

Students with positive drug test results may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not be able to complete the program. The cost for criminal background checks and drug testing will be the responsibility of the student. For additional program-specific requirements for any health profession program, please contact the Admissions and Records Office or visit the health professions website:  www.wcc.vccs.edu/health-professions.

Admission by Transfer from Another Health Professions Program:

Students who have begun their health program education (Physical Therapist Assistant, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technology, or Practical Nursing) at an accredited program other than Wytheville Community College, will be considered for admission by transfer under the following conditions:

1. The student must be leaving the previous program for reasons other than failing to meet academic standards at the previous program.
2. The student must meet all admissions criteria for the WCC Program, including receiving a clear Criminal Background Check and a Clear Urine Drug Screen.
3. The student must present a letter from the Program Head of the previous program stating that the student is leaving that program voluntarily in good standing and without mitigating circumstances or conditions.
4. There must be an available slot in the appropriate student cohort in the WCC Program. This includes clinical site availability. Students transferring from inside of the WCC service area will receive admission priority over students transferring from outside of the WCC service area. For programs that are shared collaboratively between WCC and neighboring community colleges, the “WCC service area” shall include the service areas of the collaborating colleges.
5. The transferring student’s educational transcript will be evaluated by the WCC Program and the appropriate academic placement will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Any coursework presented for transfer must have received a grade of “C” or better.
6. The WCC Program reserves the right to test the transfer applicant to determine competency in courses that are requested to be transferred and/or to request copies of appropriate course syllabi.
7. Students may be required to take a clinical refresher course prior to entry.
8. Students from other programs who have been dismissed or withdrawn from those programs because of failing to meet academic or other standards established by that program will NOT be considered for transfer to the WCC Program. These students are encouraged to apply to the WCC Program as a new applicant and to complete the selective admissions process to begin the program from the start.

Returning To WCC

Academic Renewal Policy

The purpose of academic renewal is to adjust the cumulative grade point average (GPA) of students who earned grades of “F” or “D” previously.

Currently enrolled students who return to the college after a separation of five (5) years or more may petition for academic renewal. The request must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office by completion of the online Academic Renewal Petition Form.

If a student is awarded academic renewal, “D” and “F” grades earned prior to re-enrollment will be deleted from the cumulative and curriculum grade point average (GPA), subject to the following conditions:

1. Prior to petitioning for academic renewal, the student must demonstrate a renewed academic interest and effort by earning at least a 2.5 GPA in the first twelve (12) semester hours (graded A, B, C, D, F) completed after re-enrollment. Developmental course credits (those graded S, R, U) will not count toward the first 12 credits.
2. All grades received at the college will be a part of the student’s official transcript.
3. Students can meet graduation requirements only with courses in which grades of “C” or better were earned prior to academic renewal, providing that such courses meet current curriculum requirements.
4. 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, credits transferred from other colleges or universities, or credit awarded at WCC by other approved methods.

The academic renewal policy may be used only once and cannot be revoked once approved.

An “Academic Renewal” notation will be made on the permanent record.

The granting of Academic Renewal does not affect any previous academic, financial, or administrative determination made by the college.

Readmission After Suspension

Suspended students may be readmitted one semester after termination of the suspension period (one semester, summer not included) and upon formal written petition using the online Request for Readmission to College Form. Causes for suspension may be found under “Student Conduct”. Request for Readmission forms must be submitted to the Registrar prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student is registering to return. After receiving the request, the Registrar will present this form to the Student Success Committee. During the suspension period, the student may apply for readmission for the following semester and, if readmitted, will re-enter the college on academic probation. The student who is readmitted must obtain a 2.0 grade point average the semester reinstated and in all subsequent semesters or be academically dismissed. The student may return to the same curriculum assuming slots are available or may request a curriculum change. Previous work will be evaluated for utilization in any new curriculum selected.

Readmission after Academic Dismissal

Normally, academic dismissal is permanent unless, with good cause, students reapply and are accepted under special consideration for readmission. The student may submit a written request for readmission using the online Request for Readmission to College Form to the Registrar, who will present this form to the Student Success Committee. The form must be submitted prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student is requesting to return. The student who is readmitted must obtain a 2.0 grade point average the semester reinstated and in all subsequent semesters.

Retention and Disposal of Records

The academic and personnel records of a student will be maintained either on paper copy or electronically by the college according to the following schedule:

1. Permanent retention is required only for the academic transcript (student permanent record).
2. Three-year retention from the date of student’s separation from the college is required for application forms, readmission forms, high school and college transcripts, residency forms, curriculum admission and change of curriculum forms, and other information kept in the student folder.
3. Three-year retention from date of origination is required for registration, drop/add, and withdrawal forms, faculty grade reports, change of grade forms, and placement test results.
4. One-year retention from date of origination is required for transcript request forms, application forms (non-matriculated students), change of student information such as name and/or address changes, and graduation applications and certifications.

Registration

To enroll for courses or to change programs after initial registration/enrollment, students must follow the registration procedures established for the college. Failure to follow correct procedures could result in a failing grade or the withholding of academic credit. Students register for courses during the official registration period. In the event that a class is closed, students may petition the academic dean to enter a full course or to determine whether additional class sections are available. Students must have approval of the instructor to enter a course after the first 10 days of the course. All registration dates (last day to add, last day to drop, withdrawal date) will be published on the WCC website and Academic Calendar.

 Pre-registration

Students are allowed to pre-register each semester without having to pay tuition at the time of pre-registration. Students who pre-register must pay their tuition or make arrangements with the Financial Aid and/or Business Office by the posted payment deadline. This date will be publicized in the Academic Calendar. Students who do not make payment or have a secured funding source in place by the deadline will be dropped from the course and may have to prepare a new class schedule. Once the payment deadline has passed, tuition is due at the time of registration.

 Changes to Initial Registration

In all cases, students should follow established procedures for making any change in their programs after registration. Failure to do so could place their college records in jeopardy. Students should discuss any change to their course schedule with an advisor. Students who receive financial aid must see a financial aid representative to discuss the potential financial aid implications before any changes are made in their class schedules.

1.     Late add/drop registration for a course

Students may add a class in the sixteen-week session through the tenth calendar day of the academic semester. The first day of classes, as published in the semester schedule, shall be the first day of the late registration period. The drop period for classes in the sixteen-week session terminates at the close of the fourteenth calendar day of the academic semester.

Dropping a class during the add/drop period could have an effect on the overall financial aid award for the semester. All schedule changes should be discussed with a financial aid representative. Students have access to add/drop a course online using the Student Information System (SIS) during the add/drop period. For assistance with dropping a course, students should contact an advisor or the Admissions and Records office.   

The add/drop period for classes in non-standard terms, courses, and summer sessions which are not a standard semester in length begins on the first day of classes and concludes on the day which represents the completion of fifteen percent (15%) of the non-standard term. Please contact the Admissions and Records Office for these deadlines.

2.    Withdrawal from a class

Withdrawing from a course could result in a student owing funds back to the college. Students must contact their advisor or the Admissions and Records office to withdraw from a course. All withdrawals should also be discussed with a financial aid representative.  

A student’s withdrawal from a course without academic penalty must be made within the first nine weeks of a semester, and the student will receive a grade of “W.” After that time the student may receive a grade of “F,” except in rare, documented circumstances. A copy of this documentation must be placed in the student’s academic file.

 The withdrawal period for classes in non-standard terms, courses, and summer sessions which are not a standard semester in length begins on the first day of classes and concludes on the day that represents the completion of sixty percent (60%) of the non-standard term.

 3.    Withdrawal from the College

Students must contact their advisor or the Admissions and Records office to withdraw from the college. Complete withdrawal from the college must be discussed with a financial aid representative before it will be processed. Complete withdrawal from the college and/or failure to successfully complete any courses will result in the student held responsible for repayment of financial aid funds to the college.

The deadlines for the above procedures can be found on the college’s website. Non-standard courses have deadlines unique to their length. If you have questions or need information on deadlines for dropping or withdrawing from a course, contact the WCC Admissions and Records Office. Distance learning students may make their requests by phone, email, or at the Crossroads Institute in Galax or the Henderson in Marion.

The deadlines for the above procedures can be found on the college’s website. Non-standard courses have deadlines unique to their length. If you have questions or need information on deadlines for dropping or withdrawing from a course, contact the WCC Admissions and Records Office. Distance learning students may make their requests by phone, email, or at the Crossroads Institute in Galax or the Henderson in Marion.

Non-Attendance Policy

During the add/drop period or first two weeks of the course, a student must have attended a minimum of one class meeting or the equivalent in the case of an online learning course. Course attendance requires active participation by a student in an instructional activity related to the course, after the course start date. Attendance is not equivalent to logging into the Learning Management System.

Participation includes but is not limited to: 

1. Attending a synchronous class, lecture, recitation, or field or laboratory activity, physically or online, where there is an opportunity for predictable and scheduled substantive interaction between the instructor and students. 
2. Submitting an academic assignment;
3. Taking an assessment or an exam;
4. Instructor documented participation in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interative computer-assisted instruction;
5. Participating in an activity group, group project, or an online discussion that the instructor assigns; or
6. Documented coursework interaction with the instructor.

Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal Policy

After the third week of a course and until the 60% mark (last day to withdraw and receive a “W”), the instructor can use the Instructor Initiated Withdrawal Policy. A student who misses more than twice the number of weekly meetings of a course and is unsatisfactorily progressing (U, W, or F) can be withdrawn by the instructor.  Instructors utilize Navigate to issue an electronic request to the to the Admissions & Records Office for the student to be withdrawn. Students may request re-entry into the course. Re-entry must be approved by the instructor. If the instructor utilizes this policy, it is included in the course syllabus.

Auditing a Course

Under certain circumstances, a student may register to audit a course. One who audits a course attends classes but is not required to take examinations and, therefore, receives no credit. To register as an auditing student, one must get permission from the appropriate academic dean and must pay the normal tuition for the course. Students are allowed to audit classes only on a space-available basis and for reasons acceptable to the instructor and appropriate Academic Dean. Auditing a course is permitted only when it is in the best interest of the requesting student, other students, and the college. Since audited courses carry no credit, they do not count as a part of the student’s course load. Students desiring to change status in a course from audit to credit or from credit to audit must do so within the add/drop period for the course. Courses that are audited are not eligible for financial aid.

Classification of Students

Curricular Students

Curricular students are those who have been admitted to any of the curricular programs of the college. A student who has a high school diploma or a GED is designated a regular student when the student’s file in the Admissions and Records Office contains all the information for general admission to the college and when the student has been admitted to one of the academic plans of the college.

Non-curricular Students

Non-curricular students are those who have not been formally admitted to curricular programs, but who are classified according to the following student goals or conditions:

1. Upgrading employment skills for present job
2. Developing skills for new job
3. Personal satisfaction and general knowledge
4. Transient
   Transient students are those who, while enrolled at a community college, maintain primary enrollment with other post-secondary institutions.
5. High school
   High school students, with permission of their principal and the appropriate Academic Dean, may enroll at a community college.
6. Home school students
   Home school students, with permission of the President and with appropriate documentation for Home Schooling, may enroll at a community college.
7. Auditing a course (with college approval only)
   Under this classification, students enroll in courses without taking exams or receiving credit.  Audits are permitted only if there is a sufficient number of students taking the class for credit.

Freshman

A student is classified as a freshman until 30 credits of study in a designated curriculum are completed.

Sophomore

A student is considered a sophomore after 30 or more credits of course work in a curriculum are completed. Transferred credits are included providing they apply toward the requirements of the student’s curriculum.

Full-Time Student

A full-time student is one who is carrying 12 or more credits of course work.

Part-Time Student

A part-time student is one who is carrying fewer than 12 credits of course work.