FCC Academic Catalog 2016-2017

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2016/2017 fcc catalog
Academic Regulations
Check the college website, , for
the most up-to-date student policies and procedures.
Academic Standards Policy
and Procedures
(Effective June 6, 2016)
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,” as 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-on-task. For hybrid
courses, students can expect active instructional
time and “time-on-task” 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. .
edu/class-schedules/catalogs.aspx
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.