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2018/2019 fcc catalog
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Academic Regulations
Check the college website, , for
the most up-to-date student policies and procedures.
Academic Standards Policy
and Procedures
I. Philosophy and Scope
Frederick Community College (“FCC” or the
“College”), with teaching and learning as its
primary focus, strives to promote academic
excellence in preparing an increasingly diverse
student body to complete their goals of workforce
preparation, transfer, career development, and
personal enrichment with quality, innovative
lifelong learning. In support of this mission,
the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
(Chief Academic Officer) leads the College
community in implementing the educational
goals of the institution, and developing
and upholding the academic standards
and procedures of the institution to ensure
academic excellence in instruction through
the awarding of credit to our student body.
The College will establish academic standards in
accordance with, but not limited to, the Code of
Maryland Regulations (COMAR), the Maryland
Higher Education Commission (MHEC), the Middle
States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE),
and other state and federal statutes or regulations..
II. Definitions for the Purpose of this Policy
and Procedures
A. “Academic credit” refers to the certification of
a student’s successful completion of a unit of a
course of study.
Academic credit does not include credit
associated with developmental education.
B. “Credit Hour,” aas defined by the MSCHE, refers
to the amount of work represented in intended
learning outcomes and verified by evidence of
student achievement that is an institutionally
established equivalence that reasonably
approximates not less than one (1) hour of
classroom or direct faculty instruction and a
minimum of two (2) hours of out-of-class student
work for approximately fifteen (15) weeks for one
(1) semester or the equivalent amount of work
over a different amount of time. Instructional time
is calculated using fifty (50) minutes as the“hour
of instructional time.”For example, in a 3-credit
course, students experience at least thirty-seven
and one-half (37.5) hours of in-class instructional
time and should invest a minimum of seventy-five
(75) additional hours of time-ontask. For hybrid
courses, students can expect active instructional
time and“time-ontask”coursework comparable
to face-to-face courses with the same format
and with the same number of credits. For online
courses, students can expect one hundred twelve
and one-half (112.5) hours of time-on-task
coursework with the same number of credits
C. “Add/Drop” refers to the process used prior to
and at the beginning of the term when students
need to alter (ex: add or remove a course) their
schedules after they have initially registered.
D. “Audit”refers to an enrollment option chosen
by the student in which class attendance is
required but no grade or college credit is earned.
A final grade designation of“AU”will appear on
the student’s academic transcript next to audited
courses. AU grades may not be changed to letter
grades (A, B, C, D, F, P, S) after an AU grade has
been posted.
E. “Academic Clemency”refers to the
ability of returning students to expunge prior
unsatisfactory academic performance (D-F
grades only) from their transcript. Academic
Clemency may only be approved one (1)
time per student per academic career.
F.“Advanced Placement (AP)” refers to a
program created by the College Board, which
offers college-level curricula and examinations
to high school students in the United States
and Canada. FCC grants college credit to
students who obtain high scores on selected AP
examinations. Accepted AP exams and required
scores are listed in the Academic Catalog.
Official score reports must be submitted to
FCC for review or awarding transfer credits.
G. “Articulation Agreement” refers to officially
approved agreements that allow students
to apply credits they have earned in specific
programs toward advanced standing, entry,
or transfer into a specific program at another
institution. These agreements outline the specific
courses that count for transfer credit at the
other institution, as well as the grades a student
must earn in order to receive these credits.
H. “Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S)”
refers to programs designed for immediate
employment and career advancement within
a particular area of study. Some A.A.S. degrees
transfer to career baccalaureate programs.
I. “Associate of Arts (A.A.)” refers to a
program of study with a concentration in
arts and humanities which parallels the first
two (2) years of study toward a bachelor’s
degree and is designed to transfer to four-
year colleges and universities, or may be used
as a standalone degree for employment.
J. “Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.)”
refers to a program of study that provides the first
two (2) years of courses and related qualifications
needed to meet the entrance requirements to
colleges of education in the state of Maryland.
K. “Associate of Science (A.S.)” refers to a
program of study with a concentration in science,
technology, engineering, and math which
parallels the first two (2) years of study toward
a bachelor’s degree and is designed to transfer
to four-year colleges and universities, or may be
used as a standalone degree for employment.
L. The “Catalog Year” begins with the summer
term and continues through the spring semester.
Student program requirements are based on
the Catalog Year in effect at the time they are
admitted to FCC and students must follow the
requirements outlined in this catalog unless they:
1) have been readmitted; 2) request a change in
major or program of study, current or previous,
not more than five (5) years old; or 3) request an
assignment to a current Catalog Year. http://www.
M. “Certificate” refers to a program of study at
the freshman or sophomore level requiring a
minimum of twelve (12) credits in a prescribed
curriculum approved by the College. Courses
required in certificate programs may be applied
to the degree program in that area of study.
N. “Certification” refers to a credential granted
by an external entity confirming that an
individual has specific skills in a certain area.
FCC offers programs and/or courses that
prepare students for certifications, but FCC
does not directly grant these certifications.
O.“Class” refers to a specific section of a
course in which a student may enroll
that has a beginning and ending date, a
syllabus, and participation expectations.
P. “College Level Examination Program
(CLEP)” refers to a group of standardized
tests offered by the College Board which
assesses college-level knowledge in several
subjects and offers students the opportunity
to receive credit for certain coursework after
demonstrating their proficiency. A full listing
of CLEP exams and the required scores to
earn credit at FCC are listed in the Academic
Catalog. Official score reports must be submitted
to FCC in order for credit to be awarded.
Q. “Course” refers to a unit of study identified in
the College catalog that is defined by a specific
title, course number, and description, and for
which credit may or may not be awarded.
R. “Defense Activity for Non-Traditional
Education Support (DANTES)” refers to
a national credit-by examination program
providing students the opportunity to
receive credit for college-level achievement.
Official score reports must be submitted to
FCC in order for credit to be awarded.