Academic Information

Courses

Credit for Coursework

The regular academic year is divided into 16-week semesters in fall and spring and a 10-week summer session. Class duration varies by course and program. Information about term length for specific course sections is available on Self-Service during the registration period for the upcoming term.

For each period of lecture, a student is expected to spend at least two hours on outside preparation and homework.

Maximum Course Load

In the interest of student success, a student may take the maximum number of twenty-one (21) credit hours (inclusive of developmental and audited courses) in any term without the approval of the Associate Vice President of Instruction (or designee). A student requesting hours exceeding twenty-one (21) credit hours will meet with the Associate Vice President of Instruction (or designee). If approval is granted, the Associate Vice President Instruction (or designee) will register the additional hour(s) in the student’s schedule.

Course Numbering System

Courses in the North Carolina Community College System’s Combined Course Library use a common numbering system. The first three letters form a prefix that indicates the subject of the course and the following three numbers indicate the specific course within that topic. Course numbers beginning with zero (0) indicate pre-curriculum level courses. Pre-Curriculum courses teach skills necessary for success in college courses and do not provide college-level credit.

Transfer Credits

Transferring from GTCC

Students are responsible for determining the requirements of the institution and program to which they plan to transfer.

Students working toward transfer and a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution are required to take ACA 122  College Transfer Success during the first semester at GTCC.  

GTCC strongly encourages students to complete their program at GTCC before transferring to another institution. Students who transfer before earning an associate’s degree will need to meet the UNC system’s minimum admission requirements established for all high school graduates. Students who did not meet these requirements in high school and do not earn an associate’s degree must meet the following requirements before they are eligible to transfer:

• Two general education social/behavioral science college transfer courses
• Two general education English college transfer courses (ENG 111  & ENG 112 )
• Two general education lab science college transfer courses
• Two general education mathematics college transfer courses

General education college transfer courses are indicated in the charts in Associate in Arts, AA - College Transfer - General Studies - CIP Code: 24.0101  and in the Course Descriptions . Descriptions for appropriate courses include the phrase: This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a general education course in….

Students who wish to transfer should contact the Admissions Office of the institution they would like to attend as soon as possible. Communication with the institution enables students to select the most appropriate courses for their program of study and transition smoothly to the institution. Students are encouraged to inquire about foreign language requirements needed for their bachelor’s degree program.

University Admission application deadlines vary. Students must meet the application deadline for the institution to which they plan to transfer. Admission criteria vary, and admission is competitive to majors and professional schools. Only courses in which the student has earned a C or higher will transfer.

Transferring to GTCC - Credit for Prior Learning

The college recognizes and values knowledge and skills gained in many ways. As such, credit may be awarded for a variety of alternative academic or work-based learning experiences. Credit for prior learning will be awarded in accordance with the State Board of Community Colleges  Code, 1D SBCCC Subchapter 800- Credit for Prior Learning and the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Standard 10.8.

Procedure

• Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) may be awarded to admitted curriculum students only when documentation of prior learning meets or exceeds a demonstration of all student learning outcomes for the corresponding curriculum course. 
• CPL may only be awarded to meet the requirements of the student’s declared program of study.
• CPL for advanced courses does not negate the requirement to meet requisite learning outcomes.
• CPL may be used to fulfill program requirements except for mandatory institutional requirements that prohibit the use of this method, i.e. externally regulated accreditation/regulation requirements in health programs.
• The amount of CPL awarded may not exceed 75% of the credit hours required for graduation from a curriculum program of study. Students must earn one-third of their required major coursework credit hours at GTCC. 
• Any CPL awarded shall be reflected in the student’s records by the Registrar without quality points assigned. 
• CPL may not be transferable to UNC System constituent institutions. Furthermore, UNC System institutions may request documentation to determine potential course credit. Students intending to transfer should seek advice from a UNC System transfer advisor. 

Credit for prior learning may be earned by any or all of the following methods:

1. Transfer of Credit from Approved Institutions
2. Proficiency Examinations/Demonstration
3. Standardized Examinations
4. Courses listed in the High School to Community College Articulation Agreement
5. Professional Certifications/Licensures/Industry Credentials
6. Registered Apprenticeships/Work-Based Learning
7. Military Education and Training

Transfer Credit from Approved Institutions

GTCC accepts credits earned in academic programs from colleges and universities accredited by one of the following seven regional agencies: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).  Requests for transfer credit from other institutions should be made prior to enrollment at GTCC. Students must provide official transcripts from previously attended colleges or universities to receive transfer credit.  

Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Students must have earned a grade of C (2.0 GPA) or higher to receive transfer credit. Some transfer courses may require departmental approval before being accepted toward a program. Some programs may have time limits for transfer of certain courses as documented in the GTCC Online Catalog under the Transferring to GTCC - Credit for Prior Learning Section.  If a proficiency exam is required to validate transfer credit from another institution, the process outlined in Section 3- Credit by Proficiency Examination/Demonstration will be followed.  Transfer credit graded as “P” or “S” will be accepted if the awarding institution provides verification the grade is equivalent to a grade of “C” (2.0 GPA) or better. Due to the State of Emergency enacted by the President of the United States, the Governor of North Carolina, and governors of other states in March 2020, transfer courses completed during the 2020 Spring, 2020 Summer, and 2020 Fall semesters only, a grade of “P” or “S” will be accepted as equivalent to a grade of “C” or better for course transfer evaluation.  

GTCC does not include transfer credits when computing a student’s overall grade point average, but they are included in the financial aid GPA calculation. If the department chair requires an exam to validate transfer credit, the test grade will not count in the GTCC grade point average.  GTCC will accept all approved courses for transfer of credit with the stipulation that a minimum of one-fourth of the required hours in the degree program and one-third of the major course work applicable to graduation be earned at GTCC.  Transfer credit from international colleges is awarded on a case-by-case basis and may require department chair validation. Students must submit their record of courses to an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluating Services (NACES) for an international evaluation.

Transfer credit will be secured by the following process.

• The applicant must provide official transcript(s) from institutions previously attended to the GTCC Admissions Office upon admission to the college. Military and veteran students should submit their Joint Service Transcript and/or Community College of the Air Force transcript.
• The Record’s Office will review the transcript to ensure it is from a regionally accredited institution and that curriculum outcome alignment exists between the transfer courses. If either are in question, the college may require that the student supply additional documents, including a college catalog, a course syllabus, a textbook list or similar documents that identify course content and structure.
• The Registrar (or designee) will award credit by recording the approved transfer credits on the student’s transcript.
• If the course requires department approval for transfer credit or there is no applicable transfer equivalency guidance, the Registrar (or designee) will submit the Credit for Prior Learning Request Form to the appropriate department chair/program director to determine the awarding of transfer credit.
  • The department chair/program director will review the request and any supporting documentation such as course description and syllabus.
  • The department chair/program director will indicate their decision, sign, and then return the Credit for Prior Learning Request Form to Records. Depending on the outcome of the review, a Credit by Proficiency Examination/Demonstration Form may also be required.
  • The Registrar (or designee) will process the completed form, award transfer credit if applicable, and communicate the outcome to the requestor.

Credit by Proficiency Examination/Demonstration

• In order to participate in credit by proficiency examination, a student must document in writing on the Credit by Proficiency Examination/Demonstration Form convincing evidence of special aptitude or knowledge of the course material to their faculty advisor or department chair/program director. Evidence of preparedness for a proficiency exam may include high achievement in secondary school, military service, previous completion of continuing education or curriculum coursework, apprenticeship, and/or work experience.
• Students must meet all eligibility requirements for credit by proficiency. These include meeting all course prerequisite requirements. As defined by the State Board of Community College code (1D SBCCC subchapter 800.8), developmental and supplemental courses, and courses including clinical practice are not eligible for this process. Students who have previously taken the course for a grade or are currently auditing a course are also ineligible. Career and College Promise students may participate in the process to earn college credit; however, they will not earn dual high school credit. Lastly, if a standardized exam (i.e. CLEP) is available in the subject, GTCC will re-direct the student to that option. If the request meets all of the eligibility criteria, it is forwarded to the department chair/program director of the area where the course is taught.
• Depending on the instructional modality of the course, a written, oral and/or performance-based examination will be developed by a faculty subject matter expert. The examination will cover all approved student learning outcomes for the course. The examination is subject to review by the department chair/program director, dean, and senior vice president/associate vice president of Instruction to validate all student learning outcomes are adequately covered.
• Prior to scheduling the proficiency examination, the student pays a testing fee commensurate with the complexity and intensity of the proficiency exam.
• The department chair/program director or the faculty subject matter expert administers the proficiency examination. A grade of “C” or above is required for credit to be granted. A student may only attempt a proficiency exam once per course number/title.
• At the conclusion of the process, the department chair/program director will submit the following documents to the Registrar’s office for official recording in the student’s file; the completed Credit by Proficiency Examination Form with the final grade denoted, a copy of the course student learning outcomes, and a copy of the examination and/or assessment. If a student receives a passing grade, a PA, PB, or PC will be denoted on their transcript. Credit for proficiency grades are not calculated into a student’s cumulative grade point average.

Credit by Completion of Standardized Examinations

Advanced Placement (AP)

The College Board administers a range of examinations for high school students to demonstrate college-level content mastery. If a student earns a score of “3” or higher on an AP exam they may earn course credit. Course credit is awarded based upon the academic program of study.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a college-preparatory program for students age 16-19 administered by the IB international educational foundation. Standardized IB exams are used to assess student mastery of course content. A grade of (70%) or higher must be earned for the courses being considered for credit. International credentials must be validated by a US credentialing agency.  Credit is awarded for scores of 5 or higher. IB courses in some subject areas may not be accepted for consideration if they are not applicable to the student’s academic program.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Board administers a credit-by-examination program that allows any student to demonstrate mastery of introductory college-level material. GTCC will award full course credit to a student who scores at or above the credit granting score recommended by the American Council of Education at the time the college evaluates the student’s official score. Students who are unsuccessful may retake the exam after three months.

Only scores of 50 or higher will be approved for credit, and in some cases additional tests are required. Students may receive multiple course credits for foreign language exams, as determined by their exam score.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

DANTES is a credit-by-examination test developed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, a US Department of Defense program.  GTCC shall award full course credit to a student who scores at or above the credit-granting score recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) at the time the College evaluates the student’s official score report. Full course credit will be awarded to individuals who earn scores of 400 or higher.  Students who do not receive a satisfactory score on a DSST may retake the exam after three (3) months.  Scores for all DANTES-funded DSST exams are automatically reported to the Joint Services Transcript (JST). Air Force scores are also reported to the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).

Cambridge International

The Cambridge International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma is an international curriculum and examination system that focuses on the development demonstration of critical thinking and writing, as well as application of these skills.  Students must request a grade transcript from the Cambridge International Transcript Service. Students will earn college credit if a grade of e/E or better (which is the equivalent to a grade of C in the United States) is earned on the Cambridge International Examination.

Credit by standardized examination will be secured by the following process:

1. Students must provide an official copy of their exam scores to the GTCC Admissions Office upon application.
2. The Record’s Office will review the exam scores received against previously approved equivalencies and award credit as indicated
3. If the course equivalency cannot be determined based on previously approved equivalencies, the Registrar (or designee) will submit the Credit for Prior Learning Request Form to the appropriate department chair/program director to determine the awarding of credit.

• The department chair/program director will review the request and any supporting documentation.
• The department chair/program director will indicate their decision, sign, and then return the Credit for Prior Learning Request Form to Records. 
• The Registrar (or designee) will process the completed form, award transfer credit if applicable, and communicate the outcome to the requestor.

Credit by High School to Community College Articulation

GTCC may award credit for courses taken in high school if they are covered under either of the following articulation agreements:

• The current statewide articulation agreement between the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina Community College System.
• A current local high school to community college articulation agreement entered into by the two entities. 2) Students must meet all criteria as outlined in the articulation agreement to be awarded credit, e.g. minimum grade in high school course.

Credit by high school to college articulation agreement will be secured by the following process:

1. Students must provide an official copy of their high school transcript, a Score Report indicating the student’s CTE score, and a High School Articulation Credit form to the GTCC Admissions Office up application.
2. The Registrar (or designee) will review the request and CTE scores against the current approved crosswalk and record the applicable credit on the student’s transcript.

Credit for Professional Certifications/Licensures/Industry Credentials

GTCC may award credit for prior learning for state or industry recognized credentials that document similar college-level learning as corresponding curriculum courses.  Credentials currently approved for credit are maintained in an articulation document held by the Record’s Office.

Credit for industry recognized credentials will be secured by the following process:

1. Students must provide their original professional certification or credential to the appropriate department chair/program director for review upon admission.
2. The department chair/program director will review the request and a Credit for Prior Learning Request Form, recommending courses for credit based on the certification/credential(s).
3. The completed Credit for Prior Learning Request Form along with a photocopy of the certification/credential is submitted to the Records Office.
4. The Records Office posts the grade(s) on the student’s transcript.

Credit for Apprenticeships/Work-Based Learning

GTCC awards academic credit for related instruction provided by external entities participating in registered apprenticeship programs as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor.  Work-based learning course credit may be awarded for the experiential portion of a registered apprenticeship in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the North Carolina Community College Curriculum Procedures Reference Manual, Section 20. An Apprenticeship Agreement will outline the required documentation requirements to award credit.

Credit for apprenticeship instruction/experience will be secured by the following process:

1. Students must provide their original apprenticeship documentation to the appropriate department chair/program director for review upon admission.
2. The department chair/program director will review the request and complete Credit for Prior Learning Request Form, recommending courses for credit based on the apprenticeship experience/instruction.
3. The completed Credit for Prior Learning Request Form along with a photocopy of the documentation is submitted to the Records Office.
4. The Records Office posts the grade(s) on the student’s transcript.

Military Education and Training 

GTCC may award credit for prior learning based on transcripts issued by one or more branches of the armed forces. The college shall award credit for prior learning based on military education and training consistent with the standards adopted by the appropriate North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) Military Prior Learning Academic Panel. Additional course credit may be awarded as follows:

• Community College of the Air Force transcripts are evaluated by the Record’s Office as a traditional college transcript.
• Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard transcripts are reviewed based on the recommendations form the American Council on Education for occupations and courses not currently evaluated by the NCCCS Military Prior Learning Academic Panel.

Credit for previous military education and training will be secured by the following process:

1. Students must provide an official copy of their military transcripts to the GTCC Admissions Office upon application.
2. The Registrar (or designee) will review the transcripts against the current approved crosswalk and award the applicable credit to the student’s transcript.
3. If the requested military education and training is not on the approved crosswalk, the Registrar (or designee) will submit the Credit for Prior Learning Request Form to appropriate department chair/program director to determine the awarding of transfer credit.

• The department chair/program director will review the request and any supporting documentation.
• The department chair/program director will indicate their decision, sign, and then return the Credit for Prior Learning Request Form to Records.
• The Registrar (or designee) will process the completed form, award transfer credit if applicable, and communicate the outcome to the requestor.

Grades

Final grades are available in Self-Service; grades are not mailed.

Grade Point Scale and Grade Point Average (GPA)

The following are not included in GPA calculations

*Due to the States of Emergency enacted by the President of the United States, the Governor of North Carolina, and governors of other states in March 2020, coursework completed during the 2020 Spring, 2020 Summer, and 2020 Fall semesters only, a grade of “P” or “S” was awarded as equivalent to a grade of “C” or better for assigning a course grade.

Grades are assigned based on work completed by the end of scheduled class time. Additional work after the end date of the class is not justified unless a grade of Incomplete was assigned.

GTCC computes GPA using the four-point system and by adding the quality points earned for each course and dividing by the total number of credit hours for those courses.

Every student will have a program GPA, which is based only on courses in the student’s program of study. Every student also will have a cumulative GPA, which includes all courses taken for credit at GTCC. To earn a degree, diploma, or certificate, students must have successfully completed all program requirements with a program GPA of 2.0 or higher and a grade of A, B, C, D, or S in each course in their program of study.

For information regarding key student policies and information, documents and complaint forms, please contact the Community Standards Office at (336) 334-4822 ext. 50572 or scjaeschke@gtcc.edu.

S & U Grades

An S indicates a student successfully achieved the outcomes expected for the course and completed the minimum requirements. An S corresponds to a grade between 70-100 in a course. A U means the student did not master the outcomes and/or complete the minimum requirements for the course. A U corresponds to a grade below 70. S and U grades are given in cooperative education and other designated courses.

AU Grade

An AU means a student audited the course and will receive no grade and no credit. To audit a course, students must notify the Records Office before the end of the schedule adjustment period for the term. Students who wish to change course enrollment from credit to audit after the schedule adjustment period and through the 5/8 point of the class, students must receive instructor approval. Students may not change an AU class to credit after the schedule adjustment period. Students are required to pay standard tuition rates for audited courses, which are not eligible for financial aid.

I/IE Grade

An I or IE indicates a student is passing a course, but has not completed all required course work. Instructors decide whether to assign an I (Incomplete). Students must complete course work required to remove the I grade before the 5/8 point of the subsequent term. IE (Incomplete Due to Emergency) grades are assigned administratively with approval from the Associate Vice-President of Instruction. Students who receive a grade of IE will have one academic year to complete required course work. If the I or IE grade is not removed, the student will receive an F for the course.

W/WE Grade

A W or WE indicates a student withdrew from a course.

P & R Grades

A P indicates a student successfully achieved the outcomes expected for the course and completed the minimum requirements. An R means the student did not master the outcomes and/or complete the minimum requirements for the course. P and R grades are given in the developmental Math and English courses.

Grade Prefixes

T Prefix

Credit transferred into GTCC will show grades with a T prefix. Only grades of C or better or S earn credit toward graduation. Transfer GPA is not calculated and is not used when calculating GPA, except for the financial aid GPA calculation.

P Prefix

Courses completed by proficiency exam will show grades with a P prefix. Only grades of C or better or S earn credit toward graduation. Proficiency credits are not used when calculating GPA, except for the financial aid GPA calculation.

N Prefix

If a grade is forgiven, the grade will have an N prefix. The course grade and credit hours are not used in GPA calculations, except for the financial aid GPA calculation.

NS indicates that a student was a no-show and did not meet the attendance requirements by the course census date.

Forgiveness of Grades for Previously Earned Credits

Enrolled students will be provided with the opportunity to request that grades earned five (5) years or more before the current date not be considered in determining the courses completed toward a degree, diploma, or certificate, and thus also not be considered in determining grade point average.

Procedure:

1. Students not currently enrolled at GTCC are required to re-enroll at GTCC and complete a minimum of six (6) semester hours at GTCC with a “C” average or better before submitting the Forgiveness of Grades Request form. Applicants may submit the Forgiveness of Grades Request form to request that credits earned at GTCC, which are at least five (5) years old, not be considered in determining degree, diploma, certification or grade point average requirements. Courses included in the award of a prior degree, diploma, or certificate are not eligible for grade forgiveness. Students should be advised that if approval for forgiveness of grades is received, the attempted credits and grades will still be used to determine if the student is making satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes.
2. The Forgiveness of Grades Request form should be completed and sent to the Registrar, located on the Jamestown campus, who will make the decision whether or not the grades will be forgiven. The Forgiveness of Grades Request form is available online at the Records Office Forms webpage.
3. If the request is approved, the change of grades will be reflected on the student transcript. The new transcript will show all courses affected by the forgiveness of grades and quality points using an appropriate identifier (e.g., an “N” prefix before the grade). Only credit hours and quality points will be purged from the student’s transcript; course numbers, course titles and grades, will remain on the transcript, (e.g., the grade point average of the student will not be affected by those courses with forgiven credit hours and quality points.)

            a. A request for forgiveness of grades can be made only one time while attending GTCC.

            b. All grades that count towards a student’s GPA may be forgiven. These include grades A, B, C, D, F, and U.

     4. If the request is denied, the student may reapply for consideration no sooner than six months from the date of the denial, provided the student has completed the minimum of six (6) semester hours at GTCC with a “C” average or better.

Repeated Courses

When a student repeats a course, the highest letter grade(s) earned by the student will be the grade used in computing the Grade Point Average (GPA) for graduation, but all grades will remain on the student’s record. The repeated course will count only once toward meeting the number of credit hours required for graduation.

Student Academic Standing

President’s List

The President’s List includes all program students who complete at least 12 credit hours in the fall or spring semester or 9 credit hours for summer term and earn a 4.0 grade point average.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List includes all program students who complete at least 12 credit hours in the fall or spring semester or 9 credit hours for summer term and earn a grade point average of less than 4.0 but no lower than 3.5 with no grade below a C.

Honors List

The Honors List includes all program students who complete at least two courses in the fall or spring semester for a minimum of six credit hours, but no more than 11 credit hours, or 6 credit hours and no more than 8 for summer term, and earn at least a 3.5 grade point average with no grade lower than a B.

Honor Roll Eligibility

A student who earns an incomplete (I) is not eligible for honor rolls. Grades of S, U, X, or AU will not be considered for honor rolls, and those courses will not be considered in the minimum hours for honor rolls. Pre-Curriculum education courses do not apply to academic honors calculations.

Honor Roll Notification

Students are notified if they are named to an honor roll.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges. Alpha Pi Alpha is the GTCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. To be eligible for Alpha Pi Alpha, students must have earned 12 college-level credit hours at GTCC toward an associate’s degree, successfully completed ENG 111  with a C or higher, and earned a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher. Members must also maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA. Students who are eligible to join Phi Theta Kappa are contacted in the fall and spring semesters. Phi Theta Kappa charges a fee for membership. Additional information about Phi Theta Kappa is available through Student Life. Membership in Alpha Pi Alpha is designated on the student’s transcript and Phi Theta Kappa sends each member a certificate and membership number.

Standard of Academic Progress

To assist students with accomplishing academic goals, the college supports the process of reviewing academic progress. Good academic standing is defined as achieving a cumulative program grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.

The standard of academic progress exists to assist each student accomplish academic goals by:

• Alerting the student and the college of academic difficulties or deficiencies
• Providing an opportunity for the college to be of assistance to the student in setting and achieving academic goals
• Assisting the student in utilizing the facilities and personnel of the college
• Creating an atmosphere in which the student may be successful in the pursuit of an education

Academic Status: Warning, Supervision, Probation, and Suspension

Academic success at GTCC is important. To remain in good standing and graduate, a student must have a cumulative program grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher. Therefore, at the end of each term, the college reviews the cumulative program grade point average (GPA) achieved by each student enrolled in six or more credits. Pre-Curriculum education courses are not included in the attempted credit hours. If a student’s cumulative program GPA is below 2.0, the student receives a notification of academic status. A student’s cumulative program GPA can be located by logging into the student’s Self Service account and clicking on Grades. The following statuses may be assigned:

Note: Students enrolled in a Limited Enrollment Health program should refer to additional information at the end of this section.

Note: Recipients of financial aid and veterans’ education benefits should refer to additional academic requirements in their respective sections of this catalog.

Warning

Students will be placed on warning when their cumulative program GPA falls below 2.0.

Consequences

• Students may be required to meet with a Student Success Specialist prior to registering for classes each semester until they are in good standing to review and update their academic plans.
• Students may also be required to meet with an academic coach.
• A warning hold may be placed on the students’ account which will prevent registration activity.
• Students may be required to attend appropriate Student Success Seminars.
• Students may be placed on an Academic Improvement Plan

Supervision

Students will be placed on supervision when their cumulative program GPA is below 2.0 and they were on warning from the previous semester in attendance.

Consequences

• Students will be required to meet with a Student Success Specialist prior to registering for classes each semester until they are in good standing to review and update their academic plans.
• Students may also be required to meet with an academic coach
• A supervision hold will be placed on the students’ account, which will prevent registration activity.
• Students will be required to meet a minimum of twice a semester with a Student Success Specialist
• Students will be required to schedule a meeting with the Department Chair of their program in addition to meeting with the Student Success Specialist.
• Students may be required to attend one or more appropriate Student Success Seminars
• Students will be placed on Academic Improvement Plan

Probation

Students will be placed on probation when their cumulative program GPA is below 2.0 and they were on supervision the previous semester in attendance. During this phase, students are subject to suspension at the end of the term they are on probation if the cumulative program GPA remains below 2.0.

Consequences

• Students will be required to meet with a Student Success Specialist prior to registering for classes each semester until they are in good standing to review and update their academic plans
• Students may also be required to meet with an academic coach
• A probation hold will be placed on the students’ accounts, which will prevent registration activity
• Students will be required to meet a minimum of twice a month with a Student Success Specialist
• Students will be required to schedule a meeting with the Division Chair of their program in addition to meeting with the Student Success Specialist.
• Students may be required to attend appropriate Student Success Seminars.
• Students will be placed on Academic Improvement Plan.

Suspension

Students are suspended for one-term if they do not have a cumulative program GPA of a 2.0 or higher at the end of the term for which they were on probation.

• The Associate Vice President of Instruction will send a suspension email to the students’ GTCC Titan email address and a physical suspension letter to the address on file with the college.
• Students who have pre-registered for the term in which they will be suspended will be administratively withdrawn from those courses.
• Upon return to the college, students are considered to be on academic probation and will be required to meet with a Student Success Specialist prior to registration.

Academic Suspension Appeals Process

Suspended students have the right to appeal. Students may appeal an academic suspension to the Associate Vice President of Instruction prior to the last day of schedule adjustment for the semester in which the suspension takes effect. During the appeal process, students may not register or attend classes. In addition, the registration hold will remain in effect. 

Procedure

• Students must complete the Academic Suspension Form and submit it to the Associate Vice President of Instruction
• The Associate Vice President of Instruction will review pertinent records such as the students’ transcripts, consultation with faculty, counselors, students involved and others who can aid in the review process and make a decision within five business days after receiving the appeal.
• The Associate Vice President of Instruction will render one of the following two decisions:
  1. Lift suspension with or without provisions. All provisions will be monitored by the Student Success Center.
     • Students who appeal is lifted may register for any courses that have not begun.
     • Students must meet with an academic coach prior to registration
     • Students will be limited to six credits
  2. Let the suspension stand.
• The Associate Vice President of Instruction will notify suspended students the results of the appeal in writing within five business days.
• Once the decision has been communicated to the student, the Associate Vice President of Instruction will notify the Department, the Associate Vice President of Student Support Services, the Registrar, the Director of the Student Success Center, Financial Aid, Bursar, and the Veterans Office.
• Students who are not satisfied with the decision of the Associate Vice President of Instruction may appeal to the Vice President of Instruction.

Limited Enrollment Health Programs Academic Appeals Process

Limited enrollment health students on academic suspension have the right to appeal.

• The respective Program Director or Program Coordinator of the limited enrollment health program will notify the appropriate Division Chair of students who are academically suspended each semester.
• The appropriate Division Chair will send a letter of suspension.
• Once students have received a letter of suspension from the health program, they may appeal by following the Student Complaint policy for an academic grade-related appeal.