03:11:01
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
Please refer to Tennessee Board of Regents
Policies No.
2:01:00:00 and No.
2:03:01:01
I.
Degrees and
Requirements
In order to obtain a degree or
certificate, students must complete the general requirements as prescribed by
Requirements include:
A. Minimum residence for associate's degrees: The last 20
credit hours preceding graduation with an associate's degree must be completed
at
B. Minimum credit hours: Each candidate must complete at
least 60 credit hours to be eligible for the associate's degree.
C. Minimum grade-point average: A cumulative grade-point
average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on all college-level coursework at
D. Major studies: Completion of the curriculum for the
major chosen is required for graduation.
E. Degree application: Each prospective candidate must
file an Intent to Graduate form during the semester
preceding the semester of anticipated graduation and pay a graduation fee. Forms may be obtained in the Cashier’s
office.
F. Catalog option: The student must meet the requirements
for graduation under any one catalog in effect during the student's attendance
at
G. Commencement: An annual commencement exercise will be
scheduled at the end of each spring semester.
H. Exit Testing: As required by public policy, a student
may, as a prerequisite for graduation, be required to take one or more tests
designed to measure achievement in general education and in the major. The purpose of such examinations is to
evaluate the effectiveness of the College or the program. Participation in testing may be required of
all students, of students in selected programs, and/or of students selected on
a sample basis. In order to comply fully
with this provision, students must authorize the release of their scores to the
College. Unless otherwise provided for
in an individual major, however, no minimum score or level of achievement is
required for graduation. Individual
student scores are confidential.
Students not complying with requested testing provisions will have their
transcripts and diplomas placed on hold.
I.
Candidates for a
second associate's degree must meet the following requirements:
1. The first degree must have been awarded by
2. A minimum of 20 semester hours of coursework must have
been completed at
3. All curriculum requirements for
4. A 2.0 grade point average must be attained on all
college-level coursework.
II.
Course Waiver
and Substitution
Under
special circumstances a course may be waived by the Academic Department Dean
with approval from the Vice President of Learning (except DSP courses). Waivers are granted when necessitated by
course deletions or other curriculum changes.
Since no credit is awarded for a course waiver, a course of equal or
greater credit must be substituted for a course that has been waived. In identifying an appropriate substitute, the
student’s academic advisor gives primary consideration to courses from
the same discipline as the course waived.
III.
Independent
Study -
IV. Grading System
Letter grades are used to
indicate the quality of work achieved by a student, knowledge of the subject,
ability to apply this knowledge, and work habits and practices.
The quality points awarded for each grade
per semester hour is as follows:
|
A |
4.0 |
|
B+ |
3.5 |
|
B |
3.0 |
|
C+ |
2.5 |
|
C |
2.0 |
|
D |
1.0 |
|
F |
0.0 |
The academic standing of a
student is expressed in terms of a grade-point average (GPA). The GPA is determined by dividing the total
number of quality points by the total number of credit hours attempted. For the first semester of attendance, the
cumulative GPA is determined by dividing the total quality points earned by the
total quality hours. Grades described
below are not included in the standard calculation of GPA:
- E (Extension)--The grade of E is used for developmental
studies (DSP) courses only and does not count as hours attempted in
determining the GPA for the semester in which the grade is issued. The extension allows the student to
re-enroll in the course in the subsequent semester. When the student re-enrolls in the
course, the final grade is issued for that semester, and the previously
awarded E grade remains unchanged.
B. I (Incomplete)--An
Incomplete or I grade indicates that a student was passing a course at the end
of the semester but was unable to complete all the requirements because of
uncontrollable circumstances. It also
indicates that the instructor approved the student’s request to complete
the remaining requirement(s) on or before instructor-specified dates. The instructor and the program coordinator
must approve the assignment of an I grade in a DSP
course. Instructors elect to assign I
grades only in highly unusual situations; I grades cannot be assigned to allow
students to raise deficient grades by submitting additional work or by
repeating any part of a course.
Incomplete grades are replaced with earned
course grades when students fulfill instructors' expectations for course
completion; otherwise, students whose academic performance is judged as
unsatisfactory by the instructor or who do not submit required assignments in a
timely manner are assigned F grades.
Unless the I is changed by the instructor prior
to the date published in the College Catalog & Handbook, the I converts to
an F grade. Spring and summer
Incompletes must be removed by midterm of the following fall; fall semester
Incompletes must be removed before midterm of the following spring. The instructor has the prerogative to limit
the time allowed for completion.
Incompletes also become F grades if students enroll in the same course
in the semester after an I is received unless the
course is dropped before registration ends.
An I grade is not counted in the student's GPA at the time it is
received. The grade replacing the I is included in the GPA. Warning to financial aid
recipients: The I
grade is considered an F in determining financial aid eligibility.
C. AU (Audit)--This
grade indicates the student elected to enroll in the course for no grade and no
credit. Audits do not replace grades previously issued and developmental
studies courses cannot be audited. Audit
students must attend class. A student
can change from audit to credit or credit to audit through the last day to add
a course published in the academic calendar.
To audit a course, the student must so indicate on the registration or
drop/add form.
D. W (Withdraw)--A
grade of W indicates that a student has officially withdrawn from a course
after the deadline to drop a course with a grade of W as published in the
academic calendar. A student may officially
withdraw from any course during two-thirds of the term following the first day
of classes. The deadline to drop a
course with a grade of W is also published in the academic calendar. A W grade will not be computed in the
GPA. See the Drop, Add, and Withdrawal
Standards section below.
E. P (Pass)--This
grade indicates a student successfully completed and has been awarded credit
for a course. This grade is not computed
in the GPA.
F. NP (No Pass)--This
grade indicates a student was not awarded credit by examination or cooperative
education credit. This grade is not computed in the GPA.
G. * (Repeat)--This
indicates the student is repeating a course for the purpose of increasing
mastery necessary for successful performance in a later course or for the
purpose of increasing his/her GPA. In
computing the GPA of a student who has repeated one or more courses,
Pellissippi State will count only the last grade received in the repeated
course or courses and count hours attempted only once provided the number of
repeats in any single course does not exceed two (three attempts). In the event a student repeats a course more
than twice, the grade in the third and later attempts will be used in
determining the GPA. Students may be
permitted to repeat a course in which a grade of B or higher was earned only
with the approval of the Vice President of Learning. Veterans or other eligible persons repeating
courses for which they have passing grades (D or higher) and for which they
have been paid are cautioned not to claim these courses for pay.
V.
Maximum Load
The normal load for a full-time
student per semester during the academic year is 15-20 credit hours, with 20
credit hours being the maximum. Any
student requesting a course load above 20 hours must have Academic Department
Dean approval. Students in
career/technical programs should see the Academic Department Dean responsible
for their major. Students in university
parallel programs should see their assigned academic advisor; the
advisor’s Academic Department Dean.
VI.
Drop, Add, and
Withdrawal Standards
After the final registration
period is over, students may make adjustments in their schedules by adding
and/or dropping courses. A student may
add courses for spring and fall semesters during the add period (first six
class days of the semester beginning with the first day of classes). A student may drop courses for spring and
fall semesters without a W grade through the drop period (first fourteen
calendar days of the semester beginning with the first day of classes including
Saturdays). For other session drop/add
dates, refer to the schedule of classes.
A student may officially drop courses or withdraw from
Students enrolled in
developmental studies program (DSP) courses must meet with a counselor or the
DSP director to request approval to drop those courses. Students may not drop DSP courses without
approval of the DSP director. Students
may drop DSP courses only under serious circumstances. Serious circumstances may include a death in
the family, long-term illness, or other similar instances.
Beyond the deadline to
drop/withdraw, students may drop/withdraw only if it can be demonstrated that
unusual conditions or hardships exist.
Unusual conditions or hardships may include extensive illness, unexpected
relocation of residence or place of employment, or other legitimate reasons
that may be approved by the Vice President of Learning or designee. Students requesting to withdraw after the
deadline must meet with a counselor at the site campuses or a
VII.
Academic
Retention Practices
Academic Support Services:
VIII. Academic Probation Standards
- Academic Probation: A student who fails during any term to attain a
cumulative GPA at or above the level indicated below for the hours
attempted will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent term:
|
Total
Hours Attempted |
Minimum
Required |
|
GPA 14 and under |
No minimum |
|
Over 14 to 26 |
1.0 |
|
Over 26 to 40 |
1.4 |
|
Over 40 to 48 |
1.7 |
|
Over 48 to 56 |
1.9 |
|
Over 56 |
2.0 |
(E, I, P, NP, and W grades are not used in
calculating GPA.)
B. Academic Suspension: At the end of the probationary term, a student on academic probation
who has failed to attain either the above cumulative standard or a 2.0 GPA for
that term will be suspended for one term.
For the student who is suspended at the end of the spring term, the
following fall term is considered to be the term of suspension. The second occurrence will subject the
student to a three-term suspension.
- Appeals: A student who has been suspended may request
continuance because of special circumstances through Admissions and
Records. A student allowed to
continue will receive academic counseling and will develop an academic
intervention plan that could result in a reduction in course load;
redirection in program selection, testing, and/or course placement; and
required attendance at workshops on topics related to academic planning
and goal setting.
IX.
Academic
Awards and Honors
Students graduating with the
following grade-point averages in college-level courses will receive an honors
designation on their diplomas:
3.90 - 4.00 Summa Cum Laude
3.70 - 3.89 Magna Cum Laude
3.50 - 3.69 Cum Laude
In addition to graduation honors,
Other significant recognition is presented
to outstanding graduates as selected by faculty. Developmental studies courses are not
considered in determining eligibility for academic awards, honors, or Dean's
Honor List.
X.
Attendance
Policy
In very specific circumstances,
an appeal of the policy may be addressed to the Academic Department Dean of the
department in which the course was taken.
If further action is warranted, the appeal may be addressed to the Vice
President of Learning.
Financial aid recipients are
advised that attendance must be reported by the instructor for each course in
which the student is enrolled before the student may pick up a financial aid
check. Attendance for veterans receiving
benefits is reported during the add period and monthly thereafter. Students enrolled in distance learning
courses must meet instructor requirements for communication and completion of
assignments to be reported as attending.
XI.
Concerns or
Complaints Regarding Instructors or Academic Advisors
A student who has a concern or
complaint regarding a
A.
Discuss
the concern with the instructor (or club advisor, counselor or advisor).
B. If the problem is not solved, the student or the
instructor/sponsor/counselor/advisor may then contact the appropriate Academic
Department Dean/supervisor. NOTE: A
student who wishes to appeal the final grade in a course must contact the
Academic Department Dean and file a Course Grade Appeal (see Attachment A)
within the first 20 calendar days of the following semester (excluding summer).
C. If the student continues to be dissatisfied, he or she
should ask the Academic Department Dean/supervisor to contact the Vice
President of Learning. The Vice
President of Learning will determine any additional steps to be taken.
Complaints regarding
discrimination or harassment should be directed to the Director of Human
Resources and Affirmative Action Officer.
IX.
Dismissals
A student may be
dismissed from
A. Failing to meet minimum academic standards;
- Violating codes as set
forth in the Student Information & Services section of the Catalog and
Handbook;
- Exhibiting conduct of
an unacceptable nature, including the violation of local, state or
national laws, but not necessarily restricted to the violations of such
laws or ordinances;
- Giving false
information on the admissions application form;
- Possessing, selling,
furnishing, or using illegal drugs on or off campus;
- Possessing, selling,
furnishing, or using alcoholic beverages on campus; and
- Failing to meet
financial obligations to
Approved:
Executive Council, March 4, 1991
Editorial Changes, April 19, 1993, July 13, 1994
Executive Council, September 12, 1994
Reviewed/Recommended: President's Council, April 10, 1995
Approval: President Allen G. Edwards, April 10, 1995
Reviewed/Recommended: President's Council, May 13, 1996
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, May 17, 1996
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, September 9, 1997
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, February 25, 2002
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, October 28, 2002
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, November 3, 2003
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, June 21, 2004
Approved:
President Allen G. Edwards, June 21, 2004
Approved: President Allen
G. Edwards, December 12, 2005
Editorial Changes, July
2008