Instructional Regulations

AcademicYear

The academic year begins in August and covers a period of 40 weeks divided into two semesters. Each semester is approximately fifteen weeks; the summer semester may be divided into two terms of five weeks each and an eight week term. Students may enter at the beginning of any term.

Planning Courses Of Study

The responsibility for selecting a program of studies rests upon the individual student. Volunteer State Community College does, however, furnish its students with guidance and assistance in outlining and following through on a program of studies leading to the objectives envisioned by each student.

Upon admission to the College, some students may be required to meet further prerequisites to enter the program they select. In the best interests of the student, admission to a particular curriculum or to specific courses should be based upon evidence which would indicate a fair chance of satisfactory performance in the program of courses.

A student who is planning to transfer from Vol State at the conclusion of two years’ work to a four-year institution should secure a copy of the catalog of the institution selected for use in planning his transfer program.

College Level Course Placement

The placement of a student in any given college-level course will depend upon his/her having met certain prerequisites for that particular course. Eligibility for any given course will be established on the basis of achievement on the related section of the ACT, and/ or the achievement on other tests administered by the College during registration procedures for the applicant, and/or high school or other college courses completed. The placement procedures are designed to help guide the enrolling student into courses commensurate with his ability.

Admission Counseling, Orientation, Testing, Educational Planning

An Admission Counseling, Orientation, Testing and Educational Planning program is provided each semester for all new degreeseeking students. Admission counseling is provided to help newstudents clarify their Educational Choices. In Orientation, students have an opportunity to learn the skills necessary for success in college. Required placement testing is administered during eachsemester and during each registration activity. Once students have completed Orientation and Testing they are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a counselor/advisor in the Office of Counseling and Testing or the Advising Center to develop strategies for completion of their education. The counselors/ advisor will guide students through an exploration of the various elements which affect academic decision-making.

Exemption From Physical Activity

Students who have been determined by a physician or certifying agency to be unable to engage in physical activity courses because of permanent physical disability may request exemption from physical activity course requirements for graduation. An affidavit or certificate signed by a physician or certifying agency representative which clearly states the extent of the physical disability must accompany the student’s written request for exemption and must be submitted to the Director of Records and Registration. If an exemption is granted, the student must take appropriate substitute courses which have been recommended by the student’s academic advisor. Students who have been determined to have physical limitations should receive advisement prior to selecting the appropriate activity courses.

Classification of Students

For administrative purposes, a degree student will be classified as a freshman until the completion of 29 semester hours; after such time he will be classified as a sophomore. Those not accepted as degree students will be classified as transient students or as special students (including audit students.)

Credit Hours And Maximum Load

The unit of credit at Volunteer State Community College is the semester hour; semester hour is defined as the credit earned for the successful completion of one hour per week in class for one semester; or two (or three) hours per week of laboratory for one semester. (A course which gives three semester hours credit will normally meet for three lecture or recitation hours per week; or for two lecture or recitation hours and two laboratory hours per week; or for some other combination of these.) Each lecture hour presupposes a minimum of two hours preparation on the part of the student.

The minimum number of semester hours per term for classification as a full-time student is 12. Sixteen to 17 semester hours credit is the regular or normal load per semester. The maximum number of semester hours for a student with less than a “B” average (3.00) is 18 (not including the required physical education activity course.)