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2019 - 2020 FCC Academic Catalog
16 • 301.846.2400 • 301.846.2400 17
2019 - 2020 FCC Academic Catalog
3. The International Baccalaureate (IB)
exams with a grade of four (4) or above
in one or more of the following exams:
Language A Literature SL or HL, and/or
Language A: Language & Literature SL or
HL. IB test scores are valid for five years.
4. English 10 or 11 PARCC score of Level 4 or
5. This score is valid for one year after an
individual’s date of high school graduation.
5. The GED English Reasoning Through
Language Arts test with a score of 165 or
higher. GED scores are valid for one year.
C. Individuals will be exempted from the math
placement tests if they provide evidence of
successfully completing:
1. A general education math course, at the level
of college algebra or higher, at an accredited
U.S. institution or credit through DSST or CLEP.
2. The Advanced Placement (AP) test with a score
of 3 or higher in Calculus AB, Calculus BC, or
Statistics. AP test scores are valid for five years.
3. The International Baccalaureate (IB) exams
with a grade of 4 or above on one or more of
the following exams: Mathematical Studies,
Mathematics SL or HL and/or Further Math. IB
test scores are valid for 5 years.
4. Algebra II PARCC score of Level 4 or 5. This
score is valid for one year after an individual’s
date of high school graduation.
5. The GED Mathematical Reasoning test with a
score of 165 or higher. GED scores are valid for
one year.
D. Individuals from Frederick County Public Schools
(FCPS) who successfully completed the following
math courses are exempt from taking the math
placement tests. This exemption is valid for one
year after the individual’s date of high school
graduation.
1. Algebra II with an A or B during their
junior or senior year are eligible to
enroll in an appropriate college-level,
credit-bearing math course.
2. Intermediate Transitional Algebra with an
A or B and earn the designated score on
an FCC-approved college-readiness exam
are eligible to enroll in a college-level,
non-STEM, credit-bearing math course.
3. Pre-Calculus or higher level math course
with an A, B, or C are eligible to enroll in the
equivalent college-level credit bearing course.
4. Designated transition math modules and
earn the designated score on an FCC-
approved college-readiness exam are
eligible to enroll in a collegelevel, non-
STEM, credit-bearing math course.
E. Individuals from Frederick County Public
Schools (FCPS) who successfully completed
English 12 with a reading comprehension Lexile
score of 1050 or higher on the HMH Reading
Inventory, 80% or better on Vocabulary in
Context assessments, and 80% or better on
the Performance Product Portfolio; and earn
a final grade of A or B will be exempted from
the reading and writing placement tests. They
will be deemed college-ready in reading and
writing and will be eligible to enroll in English
101. This exemption is valid for one year after the
individual’s date of high school graduation.
F. Individuals who have provided a copy of their
SAT/ACT scores that meet the exemption criteria
set by statewide agreements will be exempted
from individual placement tests. SAT and ACT
scores are valid for five years.
1. Individuals with an SAT Mathematics score
of 530 or above are exempted from math
placement testing.
2. Individuals with an ACT Mathematics score
of 21 or above are exempted from math
placement testing.
3. Individuals with an SAT Evidence-based
Reading & Writing score of 480 or a Critical
Reading score of 500 or above are exempted
from reading and writing placement testing.
4. Individuals with an ACT reading score of 21 or
greater average on the English Test & Reading
Test scores are exempt from the reading and
writing placement testing.
G. Individuals who provide an official copy of the
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
score transcript and who score a 575 or higher
on the paper- based test, a 233 or higher on the
computer-based test, or a score of 90 or higher
on the internet-based test are exempted from
the reading, writing, and ESL placement tests.
TOEFL scores are valid for two years.
H. Individuals who provide a copy of their official
Accuplacer or alternative placement test
score(s), and meet the placement criteria that
exempts them from developmental reading,
writing, and/or mathematics, will also be
exempt from the corresponding FCC placement
tests. These scores are valid for two years. The
Associate Vice President for the Center for
Teaching and Learning or his/her designee
will evaluate the scores and assign course
placement(s) based on FCC standards.
I. Individuals who have provided an unofficial
transcript indicating satisfactory completion (at
a C or better) of the highest-level developmental
course work in reading, writing, or mathematics
at another Maryland community college
or accredited Maryland four-year college/
university are exempted from corresponding
placement tests. Reading and writing placement
exemptions do not apply to ESL course work.
J. Visiting students from other institutions who
present a “Permission to Enroll” form will have
prerequisites waived for the courses certified
by the sending institutions. No placement
exemption will be entered.
K. Individuals who have provided an official
transcript indicating they have been awarded an
associate, bachelor’s, or higher degree from an
accredited U.S. institution will be exempted from
placement testing.
L. Students who have successfully completed an
FCC-approved academic intervention will be
permitted one additional retest for a total of
three test attempts.
M. Individuals who are otherwise exempted by
the Associate Vice President for the Center for
Teaching and Learning or his/her designee.
N. Individuals enrolled in Frederick County
Public Schools or another school with a dual
enrollment agreement with the College who
wish to participate in dual enrollment may take
the placement tests twice. Individuals may
retake the placement test a third time within
six months of high school graduation, with an
unofficial transcript or report card indicating
successful completion of grade 12 English and/
or math, and verification of their placement
testing records by the Testing Center.
The official version of the College Academic
Assessment and Placement Policy and Procedures
is on its website and may be
revised annually.
Student Information
FCC considers the following to be essential elements
of a student record:
• Legal name
• Permanent address
• Birth date
• County and state of legal residence
• Phone number
Frederick Community College accords to students
all rights under the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act as amended. No one outside the
institution shall have access to, nor will the institution
disclose any information from, a student’s educational
record without the written consent of the student,
except when prior written consent is not required by
the act or the implementing regulations. A complete
text of the college’s compliance procedures is
available upon request from the Welcome Desk.
Change of Student Information
Students who change their address during the year
are responsible for completing a“Change of Address”
form in the Welcome Desk or at
Proof of residence will be required.
Students who wish to change their name
must fill out a form available at the Welcome
Desk. Changes to Primary Name require
documentation (list of appropriate documents
available at the Welcome Desk). Changes to
Preferred Name do not need documentation.
Ways to Earn Credit at FCC
Standard Format Classes
Most day classes are offered in a twice-a-week format,
e.g., MW, TTh, for 1.25 hours each. Some day classes
are offered in 2.5 hour blocks for one day only (e.g., F,
8:00-10:30 a.m.). Evening classes are generally offered
in 2.5 hour blocks; times vary.
Non-Standard/Accelerated Format
Classes
Some classes are offered in an accelerated format,
from two to thirteen weeks in length. These classes
will meet for up to four hours at a time. Many
accelerated format classes require outside-of-class
online assignments or group meetings.
Independent Study
An independent study permits students to follow
individual interests beyond the limits of a more
formalized course. It also encourages self-discipline
and scholarly development.
Students interested in independent study classes can
apply by obtaining an independent study application
from the Provost/Executive Vice President, Academic
Affairs, Continuing Education, and Workforce
Development or appropriate department chair
and contacting a faculty member who is willing
to supervise the independent study. Completed
independent study forms must be submitted to
the Registration & Records Center in Jefferson Hall.
For more information, please contact the program
manager or department chair.
Internship
The internship program allows students to gain
work experience as well as earn academic credit for
structured learning that occurs through full-or-part
time employment related to their academic majors.
To be eligible, students must have met the following
guidelines:
1. Be enrolled in an eligible FC program
2. Have a minimum 2.0 grade point average
3. Be approaching their last 15 credits in their
college program
4. Requirements: Internship credits can be earned
through either part-or-gull-time employment
in a position directly related to the student’s
major. Part-time employment (paid or unpaid)
is normally carried on concurrently with
full-or-part-time school enrollment. Horus of
employment may vary, according to the type
of position. Full-time employment under the
internship program is normally carried out
while attending school part-time. A written
assignment is completed based on work
experience. A faculty member, selected by
the program manager or department chair,
will approve the assignment, assist with the
development of student outcome goals,
maintain contact with the work site, and assign
a grade at the end of the semester. Grades are
based on the student’s completion of outcome
goals, work experience, evaluation, and the
employer’s evaluation.
Course Blackboard Requirements
All course sections require access to Blackboard
at . Students are
expected to be able to access Blackboard via the
internet using personal, public, or available college
computers. Online course work will be required for
some web-enhanced classes. Consult the instructor
regarding expectations for participation in the course
website. Course websites may host learning resources
including required reading and assessments.
Blackboard access is also required to complete course
evaluations. Google Chrome is the preferred browser.
Distance Learning Opportunities
Students who find it difficult to attend courses on
campus may consider distance-learning options
offered by the college. These include FCC on the Web
and Maryland Online.
FCC hybrid and online options–Frederick
Community College offers two types of courses over
the Internet: online courses and hybrid courses.
Hybrid courses require the student to attend class
sessions on campus, online courses do not.
Online coursesare taught entirely over the
Internet. The student typically accesses a course
website to participate in discussions and to find
assignments and other materials for the course. A
textbook may be required. Communication with
the instructor is mostly by e-mail and/or telephone.
Varying from course to course, tests and exams
are online. All online courses require at least one
proctored assessment at the FCC Testing Center or
another appropriate testing facility.
Hybrid courses are Internet courses with a
number of mandatory class sessions on campus.
The student typically accesses a course website
to find assignments and other materials for
the course. The student goes to regular class
sessions on campus to participate in discussions
or labs, for example. A textbook may be required.
Communication with the instructor includes
e-mail. Varying from course to course, tests
and exams are both online and on campus.
Both online and hybrid courses are taught on
Blackboard™ and require the student to have off-
campus Internet access with an Internet browser
such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Maryland Online–Maryland Online is a statewide
consortium dedicated to championing distance
learning in Maryland. Through collaboration among
Maryland community colleges, colleges, and
universities, Maryland Online gives students access
to statewide articulated courses, certificates, and
degree programs offered via distance education.
Maryland Online enhances the quality and availability
of higher education for the citizens and employers of
Maryland and for students worldwide. Go to www.
for more information.
International Education
The College provides opportunities for faculty, staff,
and students to enhance their cultural competence
and building their global awareness by providing
on and off campus learning experiences, including
credit and non-credit international travel experiences.
FCC is a part of the state-wide Maryland Community
College International Education Consortium (MCCIEC)
which offers short-term credit and Continuing
Education trips. Check out the
website to learn more details about these short-
term options. For information on all international
education choices, consult the college website.