Policy 5.2.1 —
AttendanceProcedure 5.2.1.1 —
Student ClassificationProcedure 5.2.1.2 —
Student Religious AccommodationProcedure 5.2.1.3 —
Absences for Military Service MembersProcedure 5.2.1.4 —
TardiesPolicy 5.2.2 —
Withdrawal from CoursesPolicy 5.2.3 —
Auditing CoursesPolicy 5.2.4 —
Grading SystemProcedure 5.2.4.1 —
Academic ExpectationsPolicy 5.2.5 —
Grade AppealPolicy 5.2.6 —
Academic Standards of ProgressPolicy 5.2.7 —
Curriculum Course RequisitesPolicy 5.2.8 —
Repeating Courses and Course SubstitutionsPolicy 5.2.9 —
Credits for Prior LearningI. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
The following attendance requirements shall apply to all College students:
A. Students are expected to attend and be on time for all scheduled classes and labs. Students should refer to the course syllabus for individual course attendance requirements. At the instructor’s discretion, students may make up work missed. When students must be absent, it is vital that they remain in contact with their instructors.
B. Any student who has not attended at least one face-to-face class meeting or completed one assignment/activity for an online class prior to or on the ten percent (10%) point of the class will be reported by the instructor as “never attended.” A student who has never attended a class by the ten percent (10%) date is no longer enrolled in the class and will not earn credit or receive a tuition refund for the course. Under extenuating circumstances, a student who has never attended by the ten percent (10%) date may petition for reinstatement in the class to the Vice
President of Instruction.
C. Any student who has been absent for two consecutive weeks in a 16-week term or one week in shorter academic terms may be administratively withdrawn from the course. A student in an online, hybrid, or blended course may be administratively withdrawn following two consecutive weeks in a 16-week term (or one week in shorter academic terms) of missed assignments, missed attendance (for hybrid/blended), and/or lack of communication with the instructor regarding course participation. Consistent with policies establishing attendance in online courses, logging into a course site but failing to perform the aforementioned actions does not constitute attendance. A grade of “FA” will be assigned for any course from which the student is administratively withdrawn.
Under extenuating circumstances, a student may petition, in writing, the Vice President of Instruction, for reinstatement in the course upon demonstrating the capacity and likelihood of satisfactorily completing requirements as indicated on the course syllabus. The Vice President, upon consultation with the instructor and/or Dean/Program Head, will make a decision regarding reinstatement into the class. Reinstatement will only be considered when the absence was due to unforeseeable and uncontrollable circumstances. Tuition refunds or credits will not result from an administrative withdrawal.
D. A student’s absence while participating in a College-sponsored or approved activity will be considered an excused absence for participating students. Such excused absences will not be considered in the student’s class attendance for drop purposes, nor will excused absences be included in the determination of a grade for “participation” of which class attendance is a part. The responsibility for making up class work rests entirely with the student. All assignments, tests, labs, class time and final exams to be missed due to College sponsored or approved activity will be rescheduled prior to the excused absences or otherwise rescheduled at the discretion of the instructor.
E. A student must be present for at least eighty percent (80%) of a curriculum class to be counted in attendance for that class. Some classes/programs have stricter attendance requirements than the 80% minimum. Information on attendance requirements will be included on the course syllabus.
In instances of extraordinary circumstance, the Vice President, with recommendation of the appropriate Dean/Program Head, may grant exceptions to the minimum attendance requirements.
F. The College provides reasonable accommodations, including a minimum of two (2) excused absences each academic year, for religious observances required by the faith of the student. Such reasonable accommodations must be requested in accordance with the procedures for this Policy and include the opportunity for the student to make up any tests or other work missed due to an excused absence for a religious observance. An accommodation request imposes responsibilities and obligations on both the College and the student requesting the accommodation. College faculty are required, as part of their responsibility to their students and the College, to adhere to this Policy and ensure its full and fair implementation by reasonably accommodating students’ religious practices or beliefs. Regardless of any accommodation that may be granted, College students are responsible for satisfying all academic objectives, requirements and prerequisites as determined by their instructor and the ollege.
1. Academic year: The sequence of fall, spring and summer semesters.
2. Reasonable accommodation: Any change in an academic course or program of study with respect to the way tasks or responsibilities are customarily done that enables a student to observe his/her religious practice or belief without creating an undue hardship.
3. Religious practice or belief: A practice or observance that is sincerely held within the tenants of that religious belief.
4. Undue hardship: An accommodation that would require significant expense or difficulty for the College or would result in the inability of the student to perform an essential function of his or her course/program of study. The determination of undue hardship is dependent on the facts of each individual situation.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
Legal Reference: N.C.G.S. § 115D-5(u); 1B SBCCC 500.99; 1G SBCCC 200.93
A. A full-time student is a student enrolled in a given semester with twelve (12) or more semester hours of credit. A part-time student is a student enrolled with fewer than twelve (12) semester hours of credit. A freshman is a student who has completed less than half the required credit hours of an associate degree program and a sophomore is a student who has completed more than half the required credit hours of an associate degree program.
B. Part-time students may enroll for individual curriculum courses. Credit earned by such students may be applied to a degree, diploma or certificate depending upon the level of such work.
C. Special credit students who do not wish to apply for a degree, diploma, or certificate program may enroll for individual curriculum courses upon completion of an application for admission only. Special credit students who later wish to enroll in a program of study must complete all admission requirements and declare a program of study. Credit earned as a special credit student may be applied to program requirements, if appropriate.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
Legal Reference: IG SBCCC 100.1
1. A student must complete the Religious Accommodation Form and turn it to his/her instructor(s) prior to the consensus date (10% point) for the class. A student who submits the Form after the census date must show good cause for the late submission and the late submission itself may be taken into account in determining whether the student has a religious practice or belief requiring accommodation and whether granting the request would create undue hardship.
2. The instructor and the student should discuss what a reasonable accommodation should include in all given cases. At a minimum, reasonable accommodations must provide that the student who is absent on days of examinations or class assignments due to a religious observance will have an opportunity to make up the work, without penalty, unless granting the make-up opportunity would create undue hardship.
3. If the instructor and student agree upon a reasonable accommodation, the accommodation is then documented and shall be implemented.
4. If the instructor denies the student request for a reasonable accommodation, or only agrees to provide an accommodation that is unsatisfactory to the student, the student and the instructor will meet with the Department Chair. If the parties cannot reach a consensus, the student may file a written grievance directly to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services (“Vice President”) within five calendar days after the meeting with the Department Chair. The Vice President shall meet with the student, instructor and Department Chair and hear from all parties regarding the student’s requested accommodations and make a written determination regarding the student’s request. The student may appeal the Vice President’s decision to the President without five (5) calendar days of receipt of the Vice President’s written determination. The President will conduct an “on the record” review and, at the President’s discretion, hear from the parties. The President will render a final decision. Where a timely request is made by the student but denied by the instructor, the grievance process shall be expedited as much as reasonably possible to ensure that a student pursuing a religious accommodation is not unduly disadvantaged by the passage of time.
5. Excused absences from classes or examinations for religious observances will not be counted against any mandatory attendance requirements, but they do not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of absence. The instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete any alternative assignment or examination.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
The College shall allow any enrolled student who is in the United States Armed Forces who has received temporary or permanent re-assignment as a result of military operations and a National Guard service member placed onto State active duty status during an academic term to be given an excused absence for the period of time the student is on active duty.
A. The College shall provide the student the opportunity to make up any test or other work missed during the excused absence.
B. The College shall give the student the option, when feasible, to continue classes and coursework during the academic term through online participation for the period of time the student is placed on active duty.
C. The College shall give the student the option of receiving a temporary grade of “incomplete” or “absent from the final exam” for any course that the student was unable to complete as a result of being placed on State active duty status; however, the student must complete the course requirements within one (1) semester following their return from action service to avoid receiving a failing grade for the course.
D. The College shall permit the student to drop, with no penalty, any course that the student was unable to complete as a result of being placed on State active duty status.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
Legal Reference: 1B SBCCC 500.1
The College is committed to the principle that regular and punctual class attendance is essential to the student optimizing his/her scholastic achievement and that it is the responsibility of the student to attend class regularly without being tardy. Students who attend the College must attend eighty percent (80%) of the time scheduled for a regular class meeting to be counted present when the class meets.
Tardy shall be defined as a student entering class after the roll is checked or after instruction has begun, and it shall also be defined as a student leaving class early regardless of reason. Thus, if a student is in class for eighty percent = (80%) of the time but less than one hundred percent (100%) of the meeting time, then that student shall be counted tardy. For the purpose of maintaining class attendance, faculty shall count three (3) tardies as one (1) absence.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
I. Student Voluntary Withdrawal from Course(s)
A. Ten Percent (10%) Census Date
1. On-cycle sections (a regularly scheduled course section offered consistent with an academic period): A student may withdraw from an on-cycle section for a partial refund on or before the official ten percent (10%) census date of the semester. On-cycle sections are typically 16- week fall or spring semesters and 8-week summer semesters.
2. Off-cycle sections (a regularly schedule course section that is not offered consistent with an academic period): After an off-cycle course section has begun, a student may withdraw from the section for a partial refund on or before the ten percent (10%) census date of the section. Off-cycle sections operate on a shorter time span than what is typical for the semester. Fall or spring off-cycle sections might include 12-week or 8-week sessions. Summer off-cycle sections might operate on a 4- or 6-week basis.
For more information on tuition/fee refunds, see Policy 6.1.4 – tuition/Fee Refunds. In the case of withdrawal on or before the official ten percent date (10%) date, the withdrawn course(s) will not be included on the transcript.
B. Seventy Five Percent (75%) Date
At any point prior to the seventy five percent (75%) date of the semester, a student may voluntarily withdraw from his/her courses. A student withdrawing prior to the seventy-five percent (75%) date will receive a grade of “W” for each course dropped.
If a student withdraws after the seventy-five percent (75%) date, the instructor will initially determine if the grade received will be a “W” or a “F.” If the instructor has requested the grade of “F” but there are extenuating circumstances (i.e., medical, job relocation, etc.) that have contributed to a student’s decision to withdraw after the seventy-five percent (75%) date, the Vice President of Student Services (“Vice President”) may override the instructor’s grade request and assign the grade of “W.” The option to override the grade of “F” will be discussed with the appropriate instructor prior to either grade being posted to the student’s transcript. The Vice President may require supporting documentation from the student to justify the decision to grant a “W.”
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from course(s) if he/she cannot meet the requirements of the course. The student should first consult his/her instructor or advisor before withdrawing. Students receiving financial aid should also consult a financial aid advisor before withdrawing. Withdrawing from a course could substantially delay the completion of the student’s program of study and may impact future financial aid eligibility. To officially withdraw, the student must submit a completed withdrawal form to the Enrollment Office.
Students who stop attending any course must officially withdraw from the course in order to ensure that they will not receive a “FA,” a grade indicating that the student has failed the course based on attendance issues. In the case of an official withdrawal submitted by the established deadlines, the student will receive a “W” which will not impact the grade point average but will appear in the student’s official transcript.
All applicable deadlines will be published in the College’s official calendar.
II. Student Involuntary Withdrawal from Course(s)
A. Students who register for a course and do not attend classes prior to ten percent (10%) will be dropped by the instructor.
B. A student must be present for at least eighty percent (80%) of a curriculum class to be counted in attendance for that class. Some classes/programs have stricter attendance requirements than the 80% minimum. Any student who exceeds the number of allowable absences based on the attendance policy for that class will be unofficially withdrawn from the class by the instructor; a grade of “FA” will be assigned. Students who officially withdraw from a class prior to the seventy-five percent (75%) point of the semester may receive a grade of “W” rather than “FA” if approved by the Vice President, after consultation with the instructor. Information on attendance requirements will be included on the course syllabus.
C. Students may be involuntarily withdrawn from courses for disciplinary reasons subject to the student discipline policies.
D. Students may be involuntarily withdrawn from courses where their continued presence creates a threat to the health and safety to self and/or others. A student may appeal the decision through the grievance process.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
Any individual may audit a College class based on the following:
A. The individual pays the normal tuition and fees. However, any person who is at least 65 years old may audit non-self-supporting occupational extension courses without the payment of any required registration fee or tuition provided the individual meets the other criteria listed herein. A student may be charged local fees associated with the courses.
B. Auditing students do not take tests or examinations; they do not receive grades, credit or financial aid; and they cannot later change the “audit” to credit.
C. Students auditing a course must meet the same course prerequisite and attendance standards as all other students in the course. Auditing a course will not meet the prerequisite of any sequential or higher-level course.
D. Auditing is subject to open seats in the course; a student who audits a course shall not displace other students seeking to enroll in the course for a grade and credit.
E. Students who audit a course and withdraw or are dropped from the course will be issued a grade of “W.”
F. Students who desire to audit must inform their instructor at the first class session. Students must notify the Director of Enrollment during the first week of the semester. Audits appear on the grade report as “AU.”
Adopted: January 8, 2020
Legal Reference: 1D SBCCC 700.1; S.L. 2017-57
I. Student Evaluation.
Methods of evaluation of a student’s work may differ widely from class to class and among faculty members. Evaluation instruments or methods should reflect the objectives of the College and the course being taught. Students will be informed during the first week of class of the requirements for the course, methods of evaluation and the way their final grade will be determined. Each instructor determines the relative value of each evaluation instrument to be used.
II. Grading System.
A letter grade is used to indicate the quality of a student’s work in a course. Grade points are assigned for each letter so that a grade point average can be calculated. The grading system is as follows.
| Grade | Explanation | Quality points per credit hour |
|---|---|---|
| A (90-100) | Outstanding | 4 |
| B (80-89) | Above Average | 3 |
| C (70-79) | Average | 2 |
| D (60-69) | Passing | 1 |
| F (Below 60) | Failure | 0 |
| AP | Advanced Placement | 0 |
| AU | Audit of course | 0 |
| CE | Credit by proficiency exam | 0 |
| CR | Credit (used for developmental DMA/DRE courses) | 0 |
| CT | Credit by transfer | 0 |
| I | Incomplete | 0 |
| IP | In progress | 0 |
| NG | No grade issued by instructor | 0 |
| P | Passing (developmental courses) | 0 |
| P1 | Passing Tier 1 - transition courses | 0 |
| P2 | Passing Tier 2 - transition courses | 0 |
| P3 | Passing Tier 3 - transition courses | 0 |
| R | Re-enroll (used for developmental DMA/DRE courses) | 0 |
| RA | Re-enroll (due to non-attendance of DMA/DRE courses) | 0 |
| S | Satisfactory Progress | 0 |
| SR | Senior citizen adult | 0 |
| TP1 | Transfer credit of Tier 1 – transition courses | 0 |
| TP2 | Transfer credit of Tier 2 – transition courses | 0 |
| TP3 | Transfer credit of Tier 3 – transition courses | 0 |
| U | Unsatisfactory Progress | 0 |
| W | Official or Administrative Withdrawal | 0 |
| WE | Emergency Withdraw | 0 |
| * | An asterisk immediately following a grade indicates that the grade was not included in the totals for GPA calculation. | 0 |
Marks of AU, CE, and CT are not considered as credit hours attempted nor are quality points awarded. The marks of CE and CT will result in the recording of proper credit hours according to the course’s assigned value.
A grade of incomplete (I) grade will be given when circumstances justify additional time to complete the course. A grade of incomplete not removed by the end of the succeeding term will be changed to an “F” unless the instructor grants additional time. A grade of incomplete will not be considered for credit hours attempted until the grade is changed by the instructor or is reverted to an “F” due to lack of proper action by the student. The student will be informed of variations in the grading system during the first week of class. Exception: Special Credit students may be given a grade of W (withdrawal) on the course(s) without officially withdrawing.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
I. Student Expectations of Faculty
The College faculty pledges to provide the highest level of service possible to all of its students all of the time. To this end, it is reasonable for students to expect that faculty will:
A. Provide a syllabus that outlines the content and objectives of the course and spells out the instructor’s grading and attendance policies.
B. Be a professional who will treat each student respectfully, equally and honestly.
C. Start class on time, be prepared and use effective teaching strategies to promote learning of the subject material activities for the full time allotted for all classes.
D. Strive to create a positive environment in which students may pursue learning.
E. Be accessible and approachable.
F. Provide timely and consistent feedback regarding student progress.
G. Provide reasonable assistance on an individual basis as may be necessary and
appropriate.
H. Preserve the academic integrity of the course.
II. Faculty Expectations of Students
The College is an institution for adult learning. It is a partnership between instructors with the desire to teach and students with the desire to learn. To this end, faculty believe it is reasonable to expect that students will:
A. Treat other students and faculty with respect and treat the classroom as a professional environment.
B. Accept the challenge of collegiate studying, thinking, and learning.
C. Anticipate that the level and quantity of work in some courses will exceed prior experiences.
D. Be informed about instructors’ policies presented in the course syllabus, as well as the College’s policies and procedures.
E. Attend all classes, except when emergencies arise.
F. Adhere to class start times and end times that are prescribed.
G. Be an active participant in class.
H. Study course material routinely.
I. Refrain from any behavior that may distract others.
J. Silence all cell phones, pagers and other communications devices in every class.
K. Use the Internet for valid, academic purposes while in any campus computer lab.
L. Transact personal business with the instructor (such as asking him or her to sign forms) before instruction begins or after class.
M. Do not compromise or surrender your integrity, ethics or morals.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
This Policy shall apply to grade appeals unrelated to issues pertaining to the Code of Student conduct. The grade appeal process applies only to final course grades. In the event a student appeals a grade that prevents progression in a program, the student will be allowed to enroll and attend the following semester pending the outcome of the appeal. For sequential classes that have a clinical component, the student will be allowed to take the academic coursework, but will not be allowed to participate in the clinical component of the class until the appeal is over. If the grade is upheld, the student will be administratively dropped from the course and refunded the tuition.
A. If a student is dissatisfied with his or her grade, the student must first meet with the instructor who assigned the grade and request that the instructor review the basis for the grade. In cases where the student is unable to meet in person with the instructor, the student may contact the instructor by letter or email. If the disagreement about the grade is resolved in this discussion, grade change action, where needed, must originate through the instructor. If the instructor is no longer employed at the College, the student may proceed to step two.
B. If the student is still dissatisfied with the instructor’s determination, the student may present his/her case in writing to the appropriate Dean or Program Head. The Dean/Program Head will make a written determination and provide it to the student.
C. If the student remains dissatisfied, a final review may be made by the Vice President of Instruction, in consultation with the Vice President of Student Services and/or all individuals involved. If the grade is declared invalid and set aside, the student may be given a comprehensive examination by the department involved to establish a grade.
The right to contest a grade expires at the end of the term following the one in which the grade was assigned. The time limit will be waived only in unusual circumstances.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
Each student is expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, diploma or certificate. At the end of each term, a student’s term and cumulative GPA are reviewed. Special standards of progress for Associate Degree Nursing, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Practical Nursing students are published in the respective handbooks for these majors. Special standards are also in place for the Gunsmithing program; the standards are published in the program handbook. Standards for students enrolled in any of these programs supersede standards for students enrolled in other programs at MCC
A. Academic Alert: If a student’s GPA falls below 2.0, the student will be placed on academic alert. Academic alert is a non-punitive intervention that serves to alert the student, the counselors, and instructors to potential academic issues. Students on academic alert must discuss their academic status with their faculty advisor or other designated college representative. If the term GPA improves at the end of the next term, the student returns to a good standing status.
B. Academic Probation: A student whose term GPA remains below a 2.0 for two consecutive terms will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation are required to consult with the counselor or other designated college representative and may be required to reduce their course load, repeat courses, or register for foundational studies classes to strengthen their educational background. Students failing to see a counselor or designated college representative by the end of the term in which they are notified of probationary status will not be allowed to re-enroll for the next term. Students may remove themselves from academic probation by reestablishing the minimum GPA standing for credit hours attempted.
C. Academic Suspension: A student whose term GPA remains below a 2.0 for a third consecutive term will be placed on academic suspension for one term. Students on suspension may register for Continuing Education courses, but may not register for curriculum courses during the suspension period unless approved by the counselor after consultation with the student’s program advisor. At the discretion of the counselor and with concurrence of the advisor, students may request a waiver of the one term suspension to continue their studies. The counselor and advisor will review the reasons for the request and determine if a waiver is justified. Suspended students who request and receive approval to register must adhere to the requirements established by the counselor.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
The primary purpose of prerequisites and corequisites is to ensure that students possess the necessary skills to be academically successful for subsequent coursework. While successful completion of prerequisites/corequisites is the traditional way students demonstrate readiness, in exceptional circumstances, students may acquire requisite skill or knowledge through other means. In such cases, prerequisites/corequisites may be waived with appropriate approvals and permission by the Vice President of Student Services. Documentation of the approved waiver will be maintained on file.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
Legal Reference: 1D SBCCC 400.8; Numbered Memo CC06-269
I. REPEATING COURSES
A. Curriculum Courses
Curriculum courses with earned grades of “D” or “F” may be repeated. Courses with earned grades of “C” or higher may be repeated as long as repetition of the course does not conflict with other established policies. When courses are repeated, the highest earned grade and hours will be computed in the cumulative grade point average. The first course (grade and hours) will be shown on the transcript and will not be included in the cumulative grade point calculations.
B. Extension Education Courses Students may enroll in extension education courses as many times as necessary to accomplish their individual educational/training goals provided they continue to show progress, do not prohibit others from participating, are willing to pay fees, and do not violate North Carolina Community College System policy. Extension Education programs/courses are designed to enable participants to progress, at their individual achievement rates, in gaining knowledge and skills in specific educational areas.
II. COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS
When it is determined to be in the best interest of the student’s declared educational objective, appropriate courses may be substituted for other courses for graduation purposes. Necessary course substitutions within the major field (courses reflecting the prefix of the student’s major curriculum) require the approval of the Vice President of Instruction (“Vice President”). Course substitutions from curriculums outside the student’s major area, which have been made for the purpose of addressing the general education or related course requirements, must be approved by the department Dean or Program Head. The Vice President and/or appropriate Dean must notify the Registrar in writing of all applicable course substitutions on an individual student basis.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
The College may award Credits for Prior Learning (“CPL”) as designated by law and state regulations for the following prior learning methods:
The College may award curriculum CPL when the documentation of prior learning meets or exceeds a demonstration of learning outcomes at the College’s standards for awarding credit for the corresponding curriculum course. The College shall award CPL in a manner consistent with State Board regulations.
To be eligible to receive CPL, students must 1) meet all admission requirements for their program of study; 2) be enrolled in a curriculum program to which the credit will directly apply; and 3) request a prior learning assessment consistent with Procedure 5.2.9.1.
A. Credit Through Apprenticeship*
The College shall award CPL based on statewide articulation as approved by the Curriculum Course Review Committee for related instruction provided by external entities for registered apprenticeship programs. All apprenticeships must be approved and registered with the North Carolina State Apprenticeship Agency through ApprenticeshipNC.
The College, participating employer, and North Carolina Community College System shall cooperatively put together an apprenticeship agreement that will require at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning plus an additional amount of classroom instruction.
Upon successful completion of a registered apprenticeship, the individual will receive work-based learning course credit.
B. Credit Through Certification and Licensures
Students seeking CPL via industry recognized and/or state regulated credentials will complete a request form for a prior learning assessment, attach supporting documentation that substantiates credential attainment, and submit it to the designated college official or office for consideration.
Designated faculty/staff should review the request form and supporting documentation to determine whether the student is eligible to receive academic credit.
Students are responsible for providing evidence of their valid (non-expired) certification(s) which must have been issued within five (5) years prior to their request for articulated credit. Students must be enrolled in the associated program to receive course credit.
C. High School to Community College Articulation Agreement Credits
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction high school courses that are listed in the High School to Community College Articulation Agreement are eligible for Combined Course Library curriculum course credit. Transcripts of high school courses must be submitted to the College.
D. Military Education and Training
Servicemen and veterans may be awarded college credit for service schools they have attended. The service schools must be accredited by a regional accrediting agency. Before applying for credit, contact the service school(s) and ask them to which regional accrediting agency they belong. Contact Student Services for more information.
E. Standardized Examinations
The college may award CPL credit for the following standardized examinations:
F. Requesting Challenge/Proficiency Examination
CPL may be awarded through examinations created and administered by academic units that offer the course. The examination is constructed to allow the student to demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes of the course.
If a department offers credit by examination, no eligible student can be refused the opportunity to take the exam for course credit. A student must meet all pre-requisite requirements before they are eligible to take the challenge/proficiency examination for a course.
Students meeting challenge exam eligibility requirements, as provided by the State Board, state and federal law, and this policy, are responsible for submitting a challenge examination request.
As defined in the State Board of Community Colleges Code, developmental courses, supplemental courses, and courses including clinical practice are not eligible for challenge exams/proficiency.
G. Portfolio assessment Process
CPL may be awarded through a portfolio assessment process managed by an academic department of the College. A portfolio is “a formal communication” presented by a student as a request for prior learning credit.
Prior learning assessment by portfolio assessment will follow a course-equivalency credit model. Students demonstrate college-level learning by submitting a portfolio consisting of an organized collection of evidence that demonstrates mastery of the learning outcomes of a specific course offered at the College.
To submit a portfolio for assessment, students must contact the department offering the course and follow the schedule established by the department. Courses eligible for credit by portfolio assessment are determined by the department. All portfolio assessments will be completed by discipline-appropriate faculty trained in assessing portfolios for credit. Departments offering prior learning assessment by portfolio will establish rubrics to guide faculty assessment and scoring.
H. Credit Through Public Safety Training Prefix Courses
Courses in the Combined Course Library with a Public Safety Training (PST) prefix may be used for awarding prior learning credit for industry-recognized public safety training and/or credentials.
Credit shall be considered for public safety training that meets the criteria outlined in the Public Safety Training course descriptions as listed in the Combined Course Library.
Official documentation from the training provider or credentialing entity shall be provided to the College to validate the training.
*ApprenticeshipNC is responsible for implementing equal opportunity standards relating to apprenticeship, and the State Board of Community Colleges has incorporated and adopted federal regulations in Title 29, Part 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations to implement equal opportunity in apprenticeships. Consult with your local attorney if you have questions about federal apprenticeship compliance obligations.
Adopted: January 9, 2022
Legal Reference: N.C.G.S. § 115D-5; 1D SBCCC 800.1; 4A SBCCC 100.1; 4B SBCCC 100.1
