Academic
Policies and Rules
Policies
Related to Enrollment
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Student
Load - Full-time Status
Full-time
student academic status for the fall and spring term is 12 credit
hours. Full-time student academic status for the summer term is
6 credit hours.
Student
Load - Maximum Student Load
The
maximum load to be carried during any semester by a student (including
residence, correspondence, and extension courses) is 19 credit hours
or the number of hours specified in the curriculum for the particular
semester, whichever is larger.
A
student who has attained a grade-point average of 3.0 on a load
of at least 15 credit hours for the preceding semester may be permitted
by the college president (or designee) to carry a maximum of three
additional credit hours, provided the total is not in excess of
22 credit hours for the semester.
Normally,
the maximum course load (including residence, correspondence, and
extension courses) shall be four credit hours for the four-week
intersession, seven credit hours in a six-week session, and 10 credit
hours in the eight-week summer session. A student who has attained
a grade point average of 3.0 may be granted permission by the college
president (or designee) to carry a maximum of five hours in a four-week
session, eight hours in a six-week session, and 12 hours in an eight-week
session.
A
student on academic probation shall not take more than 15 credit
hours in a semester, four credit hours in a four-week intersession,
six credit hours in a six-week summer session and seven credit hours
in an eight-week summer session.
A
student may be registered simultaneously at a KCTCS college and
at another institution only with the approval of the college president
(or designee), the credit hours obtained at the other institution
being considered a part of the student's maximum load. If the simultaneous
registration has not been authorized, the transfer of credit from
the other institution may be denied.
Grading
System
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The
grading system uses a series of letters, to which are assigned grade-point
values. The system is based neither on an absolute numerical system
nor on a distribution curve, but on the following descriptions:
A:
represents exceptionally
high achievement. It is valued at four grade points for each credit
hour in non-remedial and non-developmental courses.
B:
represents high achievement.
It is valued at three grade points for each credit hour in non-remedial
and non-developmental courses.
C:
represents satisfactory
achievement. It is valued at two grade points for each credit hour
in non-remedial and non-developmental courses.
D:
represents the minimum
achievement for credit. It is valued at one grade point for each
credit hour in non-remedial and non-developmental courses.
E:
represents unsatisfactory
achievement and indicates failure in the course. It is valued at
zero credit hours and zero grade points in nonremedial and non-developmental
courses. Credit may be obtained by repeating the entire course.
F:
represents unsatisfactory
achievement in a course taken on a Pass-Fail basis. It has no value
in computing the grade point average. Credit may only be obtained
by repeating the entire course. This grade may be used for developmental
courses.
AU
(Audit): has no value
in computing grade-point average.A student who has been admitted
to the college may elect to enroll in a course(s) as an auditor,
except in selective admissions programs. Auditing courses in a selective
admissions program requires admission to the program and availability
of space in the courses.With few exceptions, any change from audit
to credit by a student fully admitted to a college must be accomplished
by the last date to enter a class and any change from credit to
audit must be made by mid-term of the semester or session in which
the student is enrolled. An audited class may be taken for credit
at a later date. Anyone who desires to audit a class must be admitted
to the college and officially registered for the course.
I:
means that part of the
work of the course remains unfinished. It shall be given only when
there is a reasonable possibility that a passing grade will result
from completion of the work. The instructor and student will discuss
the requirements for completion of course with the time limit for
completion not to exceed a maximum of one year; failure to do so
will result in an automatic change of grade from I
to E . Each college shall maintain a record of
incomplete grades recorded in courses of that college. This record,
completed by the instructor at the time the I
grade is reported, shall include: (1) the name and number of the
student, (2) the course number and hours of credit, (3) semester
or session and year of enrollment, (4) signature of the instructor,
(5) a brief statement of the reason(s) for recording the incomplete
grade, and (6) an adequate guide for removal of the incomplete grade.
In the instructor's absence, the division chairperson (or designee),
shall forward to the college president (or designee) the appropriate
letter grade to replace the incomplete grade.
W:
represents a withdrawal
from class without completing course requirements. A student may
officially withdraw from any class up to and including the date
of mid-term with a W grade. After the date of
midterm and through the last class of the semester or session, any
student may officially request to withdraw from a course and receive
a W which may be given at the discretion of the
instructor. Each instructor shall state on the first or second class
meeting the factors to be used in determining if a student will
be allowed to withdraw during the discretionary period. An instructor
shall not assign a student a W for a class unless
the student has officially withdrawn from that class in a manner
prescribed by the college. The grade of W may
be assigned by the College Appeals Board in cases involving a violation
of student academic rights or for academic offenses.
P:
represents a satisfactory
grade in a course taken on a Pass-Fail basis. The student who receives
a P in a course shall be eligible to continue
into the next sequential course(s). The grade of P
may be assigned by the College Appeals Board in cases involving
a violation of student academic rights. It has no value in computing
the grade point average. This grade may be used for developmental
courses.
MP:
represents Making Progress
and may be assigned only for developmental courses and means that
the student has made significant progress but needs and deserves
more time to achieve a passing grade. The student should re-enroll
in the course in order to continue advancement to the level of competence
set for the course. Grades may be earned following re-enrollment
for developmental courses. The grade of MP has
no value in computing grade point average.
Pass/Fail:
may be selected for a
maximum of two elective courses, subject to certain restrictions,
by students with at least 30 credit hours and not on academic probation.
Courses with these grades can count toward graduation but are not
used in calculating grade-point standing. Courses taken on a pass-fail
basis shall be limited to those considered as elective in the student's
program, and such other courses or types of courses as might be
specifically approved. Prerequisites for such courses may be ignored
at the student's own hazard. The student is expected to participate
fully in the course and take all examinations as though the student
were enrolled on a regular basis. Students may not change from a
pass-fail basis nor from a regular basis to a pass-fail basis after
the last date for entering an organized class. Courses offered only
on a pass-fail basis, remedial or developmental, or taken by special
examination, shall not be included in the maximum number of elective
courses which a student may take under these provisions
Changing
Grades
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A
grade once reported shall not be changed except when the instructor
states in writing that an error has been made. The grade change
must be submitted by the end of the following semester or session
or, in exceptional cases, at the discretion of the president (or
designee). However, each respective College Appeals Board may change
a grade to P or W in the case
of a violation of student academic rights or to a W
in the case of an academic offense.
Grade-Point
Average (GPA)
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The
GPA on the KCTCS transcript is a derived from all courses taken
at KCTCS institutions. The grade-point average is the ratio of the
total grade points earned to the total credit hours attempted excluding
courses taken on a pass/fail basis and courses with grades of W
or I . Total grade points are derived
by multiplying the number of credit hours for the course by the
number of grade points assigned to the grade earned: A = 4, B =
3, C = 2, D =1, E = 0.
Reporting
Final Grades
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The
final grades for a course shall be filed with the office of the
college president (or designee) by such date as determined by the
academic calendar.
Academic
Probation, Academic Suspension, and Reinstatement
Academic
Probation
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A
student earning a cumulative grade point average below a 2.0 at
the end of a term shall be placed on academic probation. A student
shall be removed from academic probation by earning at least a 2.0
cumulative grade point average.
Academic
Suspension (Dismissal)
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If
a student is placed on academic probation for two consecutive terms
(which is noted on the transcript as "subject to dismissal" the
second time) and does not earn either a cumulative GPA or a term
GPA of at least a 2.0 in the third term, the student shall be academically
suspended. Non-enrollment has no effect on probation status. The
president (or designee) may grant an exception based upon an individual's
case. A student on academic suspension may not enroll in courses
which count toward a KCTCS degree.
Reinstatement
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A
student who has been academically suspended may be reinstated by
the president (or designee) after remaining out of the college for
at least one 16-week semester and providing evidence of ability
to perform at the level required. A student who has been academically
suspended shall, upon reinstatement, be placed on academic probation
and be subject to academic suspension if the student has failed
to earn a current term GPA of 2.0 during the first term of reinstatement.
Upon a second suspension, a student may be reinstated by the president
(or designee) after remaining out of the college for at least two
16-week semesters and providing evidence of ability to perform at
the level required.
Repeating
a Course
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A
student may repeat a course for the purpose of improving a grade.
The course must be repeated with the same grade option as the original
enrollment in the course. The highest grade earned in a completed
course shall constitute the official grade for the course and will
be the only grade included within the cumulative GPA. Credit shall
count only once for a KCTCS credential. If a student has been dropped
from an occupation or technical program, course enrollment may be
dependent upon readmission to the program.After a student has completed
the same course twice, a division chair (or designee) in consultation
with the instructor may refuse to approve a third registration in
the same course, including those offered by correspondence, extension,
and distance learning technology. Subject to the approval of the
division chair (or designee), a student may receive approval for
a substitution of comparable courses (e.g. MT 109 may be taken as
a repeat option for MA 109 and vice versa.).
Final
Exams
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Any
student with more than two exams scheduled on one day as described
in the college's final exam schedule shall be entitled to have one
of those exams rescheduled. The student must submit a petition for
rescheduling in writing to the instructor no later than one week
prior to the last class meeting.
Dean's
List
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The
Dean's List recognizes the academic excellence of students who have
earned an overall semester GPA of 3.5 or higher in courses numbered
100 or above. Honorary certificates of merit are generally awarded
to students who have achieved this distinction.
Academic
Bankruptcy (Readmission after Two or More Years)
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A
student who has been re-admitted after having remained out of the
KCTCS colleges for a period of two or more years, and who has completed
at least 12 credit hours in non-developmental and non-remedial courses
with a GPA of 2.0 or better after readmission, may choose to have
none of the course work attempted in the colleges prior to the interruption
included in the computation of the student's GPA. The calculation
of the GPA after the student declares bankruptcy begins with the
semester of readmission. A student who has elected not to count
past work in the computation of his or her GPA will continue to
receive credit for those courses, selected by the student, in which
credit was earned with a grade of A, B, C, D, or P prior to readmission,
without including those grades in the computation of the student's
GPA. A student may only use the academic bankruptcy option once.
Policies
Related to Graduation
Graduation
Requirements
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For
the Associate in Arts,Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied
Science degrees, regardless of the time the student has attended
the college, a minimum of 24 credits must be completed within the
KCTCS colleges and at least 25 percent of the approved curriculum
credits must be completed at the college granting the degree. For
a certificate or diploma, at least 25 percent of the approved curriculum
credits must be completed at the community college granting the
credential. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in
order to be eligible for graduation.
Graduation
With Honors
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Students
who have completed at least 48 credit hours of work toward degree
completion or 30 credit hours of work toward diploma completion
in the KCTCS colleges shall be graduated "With High Distinction"
if they attain a grade-point average of 3.60 or higher on all work
attempted. Students who have completed at least 48 credit hours
of work toward degree completion or 30 credit hours of work toward
diploma completion in the KCTCS colleges shall be graduated "With
Distinction" if they attain a GPA of 3.40-3.59 on all work attempted.
Multiple
Associate Degrees
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A
student will be eligible for an additional degree when the student
has completed the requirements of the second curriculum including
a minimum of six credit hours relevant to the second degree and
beyond the requirements for the first degree. In no case will a
degree be granted for the completion of a second option in a program.
The completion of a second option, however, will be recorded on
the transcript.
Kentucky Community and Technical College
Guarantee
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KCTCS
colleges offer employers of graduates the following guarantee:
The
KCTCS colleges guarantee employers that graduates have demonstrated
competence in the skills listed on the approved task lists that
represent industry validated specifications for each occupational
program. Should a former student be considered by the employer to
be performing below a satisfactory level on any skill on the approved
task list, the colleges agree to provide specific retraining at
no charge to the employee or employer. This guarantee extends for
two years from the date of graduation.
The
guarantee applies to all college graduates of occupational/technical
programs who are employed in their field of training. The program
enhances economic development efforts by guaranteeing Kentucky's
businesses and industries access to a skilled work force.
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