INSTRUCTIONAL AFFAIRS

62 63 COURSE LOAD The minimum course load for full-time students is 15 semester hours, and the maximum course load is 19 semester hours. Students wishing to enroll in more than 19 semester hours must receive approval from the Vice President of Instructional Affairs. In determining their course loads, students should be aware that each hour of class usually demands two hours of outside preparation. COURSE CHANGES Changes in schedules include withdrawal from a course(s) or addition of a new course(s). Students may withdraw/add classes free of charge via the JC Portal anytime between preregistration and the beginning of classes. Beginning the first day of class, students wanting to make course changes must meet with their advisor, complete a drop/add form, and bring the form to the Student Success Center to process the transaction. PROGRAM CHANGES Jones County Junior College reserves the right to change its program curriculum at any time during the academic year based on changes in local, state and federal policy. These changes will be made through a curriculum addendum that is approved by JCJC s Educational Program Advisory Committee. WITHDRAWAL FROM COLLEGE The permanent record of a student withdrawing from the College is not complete until they have officially withdrawn. The correct procedure is to consult with the Student Success Center to secure and complete an official withdrawal form. The withdrawal will then become part of the student s permanent record. Students who leave school without following this procedure will be subject to all applicable tuition and fees. Students should withdraw in person and see that their withdrawal forms are signed by the proper officials. However, in extenuating circumstances, students may withdraw via email. COURSE REPEATS Students may repeat courses at Jones County Junior College to improve their GPAs. The best grade earned in a course will be the official grade, unless otherwise requested. Students repeating a class taken prior to 1985 should contact the Admissions and Records Office to insure the best grade earned will be the official grade. Students should be aware that senior institutions develop their own acceptance policies on repeats. JCJC BEGIN AGAIN Jones County Junior College encourages the enrollment of previous students who have decided to continue their education. For students whose grades were inadequate during previous enrollment, JCJC s Begin Again is a way to dismiss previous grades from consideration when computing grade point average at Jones. Begin Again requirements: 1. The student must complete a request for Begin Again and submit it to the registrar. 2. Being Again may be declared only one time. 3. The student must not have been enrolled for five consecutive years (60 months). 4. Federally funded financial aid may still be denied based on old grades. Begin Again GPA calculations are for JCJC academic matters only. 5. The student will not be allowed to specify the grades that will be forgiven. NO grades prior to the initial Begin Again semester will be counted for graduation or grade point average calculation. All grades will remain on the transcript with a special notation for forgiven grades. 6. Student must enroll and complete one successful semester at Jones before Begin Again calculations will take effect. 7. Other colleges or universities may not honor the Begin Again GPA. Please check with individual institutions for their policies. 8. A student who has received a degree or certificate is not eligible for Begin Again. 9. The registrar is responsible for providing the necessary interpretations on questions not expressly answered in this policy. AUDITING COURSES Students may be permitted to audit courses depending upon available space. Fees for auditing a course are the same as for regular registration for a course. Students interested in auditing a course should contact the Vice President of Instructional Affairs. CREDIT FOR COURSE WORK TRANSFER CREDIT All course work transcripted at a regionally accredited institution will be placed on a student s permanent record as maintained by this college. The Admissions and Records Office will notify transfer students of the amount of the credit which will transfer prior to the end of the first term in which they are enrolled. All grades of D or above will be accepted as hours attempted and passed. Developmental course work (classes considered below college level) transferred from outside institutions cannot be applied as hours passed toward a degree. Credit earned at a non-regionally accredited institution will not be recognized for transfer credit. Students with less than a C average (2.0 GPA) on transfer work as determined by the current JCJC method of computing grade point averages must remove this deficiency by earning compensating grades above C on courses at this institution in order to graduate. Excessive quality points from another institution cannot be used to raise a deficient grade point average on courses taken at this institution. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION Jones County Junior College will allow students to earn credit by examination under one or more of the following programs for up to a total of 30 semester hours: 1. College Level Examination Program - General Examination Jones County Junior College will allow credit examination to those students who have been out of high school for at least 3 years and have never enrolled in a college level class for the General Examination area. The Admissions and Records Office will determine a person s

64 65 eligibility to receive credit. A student who has earned over 30 semester hours of college credit may not earn additional credit through the use of this examination. Credit will be granted for successful completion of the examination in the following manner: Listed below are the CLEP exams accepted for credit and applied toward graduation at Jones Junior College. Credit is awarded for test scores of 50 and above. CLEP Exam JCJC Equivalent American Government PSC 1113 US History I HIS 2213 US History II HIS 2223 Biology `BIO 1114 Business law BAD 2413 Calculus MAT 1613 Chemistry CHE 1214 College Algebra MAT 1313 College Composition ENG 1113 Spanish MFL 1213 Information Systems & CSC 1123 Computer Applications Principles of Macroeconomics ECO 2113 Principles of Microeconomics ECO 2123 Sociology SOC 2113 Trigonometry MAT 1323 Western Civilization I HIS 1113 Western Civilization II HIS 1123 Note: CLEP credit awarded by Jones County Junior College may not be accepted by other educational institutions. Students should consult transfer institutions to determine acceptable credit. 3. Advanced Placement Program Students from cooperating high schools can earn up to 18 semester hours with no more than 6 semester hours or 2 courses in one subject-matter area through the College Board s Advanced Placement Program. Credit is to be awarded only for scores of 3 or above. The awarding of credit is administered by the Admissions and Records Office. Letter grades are not assigned. Pass (P) appears on the transcript for courses in which Advanced Placement credit is earned. Credit awarded is based on the following scores: Listed below are the Advanced Placement exams accepted for credit and applied toward graduation at Jones Junior College. No credit is awarded for a score of 1 or 2. Three hours of credit are typically awarded for a score of 3 and six hours awarded for scores of 4 or 5 if the course is part of a two part series. AP Exam JCJC Equivalent Art, Drawing ART 1313, 1323 Biology BIO 1114, 1124 Chemistry CHE 1214, 1224 Computer Science CSC 1123 Economics, Macro ECO 2113 Economics, Micro ECO 2123 English Language and Composition ENG 1113 US Government and Politics PSC 1113 United State History HIS 2213. 2223 World History HIS 1113, 1123 Calculus AB, BC MAT 1613, 1623 Spanish Literature and Culture Level I MFL 1213, 1223 Level II MFL 2213, 2223 Physics B or C PHY 2414, 2424 Psychology PSY 1513 Note: Some Advanced Placement tests cover such specific and well-defined areas that only 3 semester hours credit may be awarded despite a score of 5. Advanced Placement credit awarded by Jones County Junior College may not be accepted by other educational institutions. Students should consult transfer institutions to determine acceptable credit. 4. Credit By Examination -Nationally Recognized Credentials Credit-By-Examination (CBE) provides multiple entry points into a number of Career and Technical programs as a non-duplicative sequence of technical skill proficiency for programs aligned to nationally recognized credentials. Where possible, CBE provides a career pathway into credit-bearing postsecondary CTE programs and attainment of an industry recognized credential, certificate, diploma, or degree. In order for CBE participants to gain college credit, he/she must meet college admission standards for the career or technical program in which he/she is entering. For those who have successfully completed the nationally recognized credential, the participant will provide documented proof a valid and current certification or credential. The credit will be awarded after the student completes the first semester in the same program in which the CBE applies. To determine if a program offers CBE services, please refer to that particular program in the college catalog. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Jones County Junior College will award credit to veterans after an evaluation by the Office of Admissions and Records. As an accredited institution and a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Jones County Junior College is the final authority for assessing and transcribing credit for military training and experience. Jones County Junior College s established policy for the assessment and transcription of credit for military training and experience supersedes ACE credit recommendations and those of any other organization. Award of credit for military training and experience is based upon official documentation.

66 67 Acceptable documents for assessment of military training and experience are: official transcripts for programs of study issued by the United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) (minimal score 50), Army Command and General Staff College, Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript (AARTS), and Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART) System. Note: The Community College of the Air Force is a SACS accredited school and therefore is treated as college transfer work. It is the student s responsibility to obtain all records. Documentation becomes part of the student s academic record and becomes the property of Jones County Junior College. All documentation will be submitted to and evaluated by the Registrar s Office. The Registrar s Office will determine credit as being career, technical, or academic in nature as well as the number of credit hours awarded to the student. If a student plans on using credit toward the technical degree (Associate of Applied Science) or the Career Certificate, the student s primary instructor must complete any appropriate course substitution forms. Credit will not be placed on the student s transcripts until the student has completed 12 semester hours. EVENING CLASSES An evening college program is offered throughout the year. This program is diversified to meet the needs of students served by the College. DISTANCE EDUCATION The Jones elearning program has removed the barriers of location and time, making a college education accessible and affordable for every student at any age. Distance learning courses allow students who do not have the flexibility to attend traditional on-campus classes to pursue their educational goals. Distance learning courses also offer students taking on-campus courses a more flexible class schedule. Distance education allows everyone the opportunity to access higher education. elearning at Jones comes to you in the form of Blackboard with educational support for each student. Students will work independently at their own pace and interact through various communication tools and technologies. Except for exams, regular campus attendance is not required. Jones County Junior College is a member of the Mississippi Virtual Community College (MSVCC), which provides internet-based courses statewide. MSVCC is a consortium of Mississippi s junior/community colleges. Through MSVCC, students may take courses from the other community/junior colleges while getting support services from JCJC, as long as the course is in the course catalog. To take a course from another (remote) college, a student enrolls at a local (JCJC) junior/community college. The local college provides the best of on-campus support with student services, including advisement and counseling, financial aid, and learning resources. The remote college provides the course and instruction while the local college awards the credit for the course. Jones offers two formats for distance education online and hybrid. Online Hybrid 100% online 75% online Uses JCJC Canvas server 25% in face-to-face classroom meetings Main communications method: email Uses Jones Canvas server Testing - some minor tests online; Main communications method: email major tests are proctored Testing normally completed in Charges: normal tuition classroom and $30 state fee Charges: normal tuition Eligible for financial aid Eligible for financial aid (based on normal rules) (based on normal rules) GRADING SYSTEM Grades and Credit Hours Credit for each course is awarded in terms of semester hours. The number of credit hours awarded for each course normally conforms to the number of contact class hours per week. A typical exception occurs in laboratory work, where two or three hours of class contact have a onecredit hour value. Credit hours for courses will be granted at the completion of each semester. Partial credit will not be granted for any period during the semester. The following possible grades and corresponding quality represent the instructor s final evaluation of a student s performance in a course: A - Excellent; 4 quality points per semester hour B - Good; 3 quality points per semester hour C - Average; 2 quality points per semester hour D - Below Average; 1 quality point per semester hour F - Failure without privilege of re-examination; 0 quality points U - Audit; 0 quality points I - Incomplete; must be removed within six weeks as directed by the instructor or grade becomes an F W -Withdrawn on or before designated date according to the college calendar A grade report of I (incomplete) at the end of any course represents failure to complete some of the requirements of the course. An I requires the subsequent completion of all requirements in the course within six weeks following the end of the semester in which the course was taken; otherwise, a grade of F is automatically recorded. It is the student s responsibility to arrange with his/her instructor for completion of course requirements in accordance with this regulation. Divisions within the College must establish standards of performance expressed in percentages and inform students of grading procedures for each class. EXAMINATIONS The final examination schedule is published at the end of each semester, and students will be given a comprehensive final examination based on course objectives. GRADE POINT AVERAGE For the purpose of graduation and transfer to other educational institutions, students must obtain

68 69 a C average, which according to the grade point system adopted, would be a 2.0 average. This average is figured on the total quality points earned divided by the total number of semester hours attempted. Grades of W, WP, or U do not count in the grade-point average. Grades of W and WF were awarded prior to Fall 2007. All other courses attempted are included in the average. If a course is repeated, only the best grade will be used in GPA computation unless other arrangements are approved by the Vice President of Instructional Affairs. GRADE REPORTS Students are notified of their academic status at mid-term of each semester. Faculty advisors receive mid-term grade reports and are available to advisees to discuss academic performance. At the end of each semester, grade reports are made available to students through their online account. Appeals associated with final grades must be received in writing by the Dean of Students within 30 days following the end of the term in which the grade was assigned. HONORS At the end of each semester, special recognition is given to students for outstanding academic achievement. Honors are based on grade point averages. President s List 4.0 Deans List 3.5 or above Faculty List 3.0 or above GENERAL EDUCATION CORE COMPETENCIES FOR GRADUATES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Critical Thinking - Students will demonstrate competency in applying critical thinking skills to solve problems, make informed decisions and interpret events. Mathematical Reasoning - Students will demonstrate competency in mathematical reasoning through mastery of understanding and reasoning necessary for solving math problems. Written and Oral Communication - Students will demonstrate competency in written and oral communication through mastery of the mechanics of writing and organizational skills. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Students may pursue courses of study and complete requirements for an Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, or a Career Certificate. 1. To graduate from the College with an Associate in Arts degree, students must: a. Earn 62 semester hours including orientation or honors forum, 2 hours; English composition, 6 hours; humanities, 9 hours (at least 3 hours in fine arts); social science, 6 hours; college algebra or higher lever math, 3 hours; laboratory science, 8 hours; and electives subject to approval to complete the total hours required. b. Developmental courses will not count toward graduation requirements. Developmental courses include: ENG 1024-Intermediate English, MAT 1204 Beginning Algebra, MAT 1233-Intermediate Algebra. c. Earn a minimum 2.0 GPA on all work attempted at JCJC. (Quality points earned from another institution will not make up quality point deficiency for graduation). d. Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or above when all transfer courses used to meet degree requirements are averaged with course work completed at Jones County Junior College. e. Complete 25 percent of semester credit hours through Jones County Junior College. f. Earn not more than 25 percent of the work for graduation by extension and/or correspondence.* Exception: Students needing all their hours to meet the course requirements in their chosen fields as set up by the Jones County Junior College Catalog or by senior colleges for the first two years will be allowed to substitute courses in the general education requirements with approval from the Academic Dean or the Vice President of Instructional Affairs. Any deviation from the above-stated requirements must have the approval of the Academic Dean or Vice President of Instructional Affairs. *Exceptions will be considered by the Vice President of Instructional Affairs for credit through the Mississippi Virtual Community College, and on-line courses from an accredited institution. 2. To graduate from the College with an Associate in Applied Science degree, students must: a. Complete requirements from an outlined curriculum stated in a specified catalog not more than three years old. Note that developmental courses will not count towards graduation requirements. b. Successfully complete LLS 1312 Orientation. c. Earn a minimum 2.0 GPA. d. Complete one semester residence at Jones County Junior College. e. Earn not more than 25 percent of the work for graduation by extension and/or correspondence.* Credit hours generated by work-based learning experience may be substituted for required courses to meet graduation requirements. The number of hours substituted will be restricted to a maximum equivalent to the hours generated by any two major field technical courses. Substitutions must be approved by the Dean of Career and Technical Education or the Vice President of Instructional Affairs. Exception: Any deviation from the above-stated requirements must have the approval of the Dean of Career and Technical Educations or the Vice President of Instructional Affairs. *Exceptions will be considered by the Vice President of Instructional Affairs for credit through the Mississippi Virtual Community College, and on-line courses from an accredited institution. 3. To graduate from the college with a Career Certificate, students must: a. Satisfactorily complete the prescribed certificate program as outlined in a catalog not more than three years old. b. Earn an average grade of 2.0 on all subjects in the curriculum. One semester of cooperative education work experience may be substituted for required elective courses. Substitutions must have the approval of the program s Dean or the office of Instructional Affairs. Application for Graduation Application for graduation must be filed with the Registrar s Office.

70 71 Policies Relating to Veterans The following minimum standards of progress and attendance will apply to all veterans under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 1606, and 1607 and VRAP of Title 38, United States Code. The policies are in compliance with directives outlined by the State Veterans Affairs Approving Agency, dated February 26, 1976, and further amended. To be eligible for VA educational benefits, the veteran must meet the requirements and adhere to the policies established by the Veterans Administration and the State Approving Agency. These requirements may differ somewhat from the policies established by Jones County Junior College; however, the veteran must adhere to policies established for all Jones County Junior College students. I. All school records and accounts pertaining to veterans and eligible persons will be readily available for examination by state and federal officials. II. No student will be certified until entrance requirements established by Jones County Junior College have been met. The Director of Admissions and Records will be responsible for insuring that students have met the entrance requirements. III. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires Jones County Junior college to have on file an official transcript from each college/university that the student previously attended. If the student has never attended a college/university, an official high school/ged transcript is required. Students meeting Jones County Junior College entrance requirements, but who do not have an official transcript for each previously attended college/university on file, may be certified to the Department of Veterans Affairs for two semesters. After two semesters, students who fail to provide an official transcript for each school previously attended will no longer be eligible to have classes certified to the VA. IV. A written record will be maintained by the Director of Admissions and Records and will indicate the previous education and training of veterans or eligible persons. When students are admitted to Jones County Junior College, they must declare their intended educational objective with the Veteran s Affairs Certifying Official. V. The Veteran s Affairs Certifying Official will certify to the Veterans Administration only those courses in which the student enrolls that are applicable to the student s educational objective stated on the Veterans Affairs Request for Enrollment Certification Form. Students requesting to be certified must complete the Request for Enrollment Certification each semester with the Veteran s Affairs Certifying Official. Career students will not be certified for any cooperative education course. VI. Students utilizing GI Bill Educational Benefits may enroll in a Career Certificate program, Associate in Applied Science degree program, or an academic degree program. Students who enroll in an academic degree program may enroll in a general Associate in Arts degree program and will follow the curriculum outlined in the general graduation requirements. VII. A permanent record will be maintained to show the student s progress or lack of progress for each semester attempted Students utilizing GI Bill Educational Benefits are required to make satisfactory progress toward degree requirements. Students who do not make satisfactory progress will be placed on scholastic probation or suspension, as defined per the regulations below. Scholastic Suspension Regulations. 1. Students whose term grade point average is below 1.5 while they are on scholastic probation. 2. Students who remain on scholastic probation for three consecutive semesters. a. A first suspension will be for one semester. (Does not include summer) b. The second suspension will be for one calendar year. VIII. Failure of the student to notify the Veteran s Affairs Certifying Official in writing within one week of the occurrence of any change in his/her status that will affect the veteran s eligibility to receive VA education assistance in whole or in part may result in the termination of the student s certification due to unsatisfactory conduct. IX. The attendance policy for students utilizing GI Bill Educational Benefits will be the same as that required for all Jones County Junior College students. Attendance requirements are found in the current Jones County Junior College Catalog. The Veteran s Affairs Certifying Official is notified in writing when a student has accumulated excessive absences as reported by the student s instructor. The achievement of excessive absences as reported by the student constitutes unsatisfactory conduct, and the student s certification will be immediately be terminated unless the student appears before the Student Affairs Committee and is, with the approval of the Vice President of Student Affairs, allowed to continue enrollment for the semester or term. The Vice President of Student Affairs will notify in writing the Veteran s Affairs Certifying Official of the decision and that of the Student Affairs Committee. X. When a veteran or eligible person fails to pay the fees owed to Jones County Junior College in the time that has been specified by the Vice President of Business Affairs, the veteran s certification will be terminated due to unsatisfactory conduct. The Vice President of Business Affairs will notify the Veteran s Affairs Certifying Official in writing of the student s nonpayment of fees, and the veteran s certification will immediately be terminated. XI. When any student has been found to be guilty of any misconduct not here before mentioned, the Vice President of Student Affairs will notify in writing the Veteran s Affairs Certifying Official, who will immediately terminate the certification of the veteran due to unsatisfactory conduct. XII. When any student has been found to be guilty of any misconduct not here before mentioned, the Vice President of Student Affairs will notify in writing the Veteran s Affairs Certifying Official, who will immediately terminate the certification of the veteran due to unsatisfactory conduct. XIII. Tuition and fees for Veterans and dependents utilizing the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33, will not be certified to the Department of Veterans Affairs until after the sixth week of the semester. XIV. The Veterans Affairs Office utilizes the JCJC Email System as an official means of communication. Scholastic Probation Regulations 1. Students whose term grade point average at the end of any semester is below a 1.75. 2. Students currently on probation whose term grade point average is below a 2.0 will remain on scholastic probation. Students placed on scholastic probation will be required to meet the Admissions Committee for academic counseling at the beginning of the subsequent semester. Probation may be lifted by achieving a 2.0 term GPA the subsequent semester. Scholastic Suspension Scholastic suspension is a penalty imposed after a student has been allowed every reasonable opportunity to make satisfactory progress. The scholastic suspension period will provide an opportunity for students to reconsider their approaches to a college career or to make necessary adjustments in attitudes concerning the academic demands of college life.