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2020 - 2021 FCC Academic Catalog
182 • 301.846.2400
MM. “Program” refers to a structured and
coherent course of study with clearly defined
objectives and intended student learning
outcomes, requiring the completion of a
specified number of course credits from
among a prescribed group of courses, which
leads to the award of a certificate or degree.
All programs must be approved by MHEC.
NN.“Quality Points” refers to the numerical
designation assigned to each grade.
Quality points are used to generate
a grade point average (GPA).
OO.“Satisfactory Academic Progress”refers
to the Federal Financial Aid Requirement
that students are making progress in their
academic pursuit. Progress is measured by
GPA and rate of completion of courses. FCC
measures and tracks academic progress, as
well as Satisfactory Academic Progress for
students receiving Federal Financial Aid.
PP. “Student” refers to an individual who
is registered at the College, either full
or part-time, in a credit or continuing
education class or classes who has
either paid or made arrangement for
payment of tuition and/or fees.
QQ.“Transcript” refers to a student’s
academic record.
RR. “Transfer Credit” refers to coursework
completed at another college or university,
provided that the other institution is
accredited or recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education, for which FCC
awards credit. Transfer credit is also awarded
through other FCC approved non-college
programs, education, and training.
SS. “Withdrawal Period” refers to the period
of time in which students can withdraw
from a course which occurs after the
Add/Drop period and concludes on a
specific date as published in the schedule
of classes. When a student withdraws
from a course, a designation of “W” will
appear on his/her academic transcript.
III. Academic Standards
A. Awarding of Credit
FCC believes that learning is a lifelong
process and knowledge is acquired in
many different ways. FCC awards credits
for coursework completed at accredited
colleges and universities as recognized
by the U. S. Department of Education.
In addition to the traditional classroom
setting, FCC recognizes that mastery of
college-level knowledge and skills may
occur as a result of non-credit training
and non-traditional learning experiences
such as employment, military training and
experience, non-collegiate training programs,
and advanced high school courses.
1. Transfer Credits
a. No more than forty-five (45) credits
in transfer may be awarded toward
an Associate Degree through any
combination of items listed in Section
III. Academic Standards, A. Awarding of
Credit. If the previous institution was
under the quarter system, credits must
be converted to semester hours; quarter
hours are multiplied by two-thirds
(2/3) to equal semester credit hours.
b. Transfer credit awarded is based on the
major a student has declared. Not all
credits may be accepted depending on
the student’s declared major. If a student
changes his/her major after the transfer
evaluation, the student may request that
his/her transfer record be reevaluated.
c. Credits, not grades, are transferred into
the College; therefore, grades from
transfer courses are not calculated
into the GPA at the College. Students
submitting a grade of Pass from
another institution must show that the
equivalent of a grade of “C”or better was
attained to have transfer credit awarded.
2. College and University Credit
Credits may be granted for coursework
completed at accredited colleges and
universities as recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education. Students
must have submitted an admissions
application to the College, declare a
program of study, and send official
transcripts from previously attended
institutions to have credits evaluated.
The College follows the MHEC General
Education and Transfer Policies. In general,
courses will be evaluated to determine
equivalency to FCC courses. Courses not
equivalent to FCC coursework may be
transferred as elective credit assuming
that the student’s chosen major allows
for elective credit. If a course has no FCC
equivalency but is a General Education
course at the sending institution, FCC
will honor the General Education status
and apply to the major’s requirements
where applicable. Credits will be awarded
based on the following standards:
a. University System of Maryland College
& University Credit – for students
transferring from any University System
of Maryland (USM) college, all applicable
general education coursework with a
grade of “D”or above will be accepted
in transfer. For non-general education
coursework from a USM college,
grades of “D”will be accepted only
if the calculated GPA for the block
of non-general education transfer
courses is 2.000 or higher. Grades of
“D,”however, will not be accepted for
any course within a program of study
that requires a grade of “C”or higher.
A grade of “D”can be used to fulfill a
prerequisite unless the prerequisite
requires a grade of “C”or higher.
b. Non-University System of Maryland
Colleges – for students transferring
from outside of the University System of
Maryland, grades of“D”will be accepted
only if the cumulative grade point
average from that institution is 2.000
or higher. Further GPA calculation is
completed for non-General Education
coursework; grades of“D”will be accepted
only if the block of non-general education
transfer courses is 2.000 or higher Grades
of“D,”however, will not be accepted
for any course within a program of
study that requires a “C”or higher. A
grade of “D”can be used to fulfill a
prerequisite unless the prerequisite
requires a grade of “C”or higher.