Student Handbook

ACADEMIC POLICY

North Georgia Tech strives to provide a quality education and to assist students in making progress toward graduation and employment in their chosen profession.  Every effort is made by the faculty and staff to provide the academic support and information necessary to that end.

The academic policies outlined in this handbook are guidelines to keep students informed about their progress at North Georgia Tech.  The instructors are responsible for maintaining records and assigning grades reflecting a student’s quality of work.  These grades are turned in to the office of the Vice President of Student Services, where they are maintained in a permanent file.

Every attempt is made to keep the student accurately and adequately informed as to his/her academic standing.  If a student has a grievance, the grievance and due process procedure will be followed.

Academic Advisement and Registration
No single activity at North Georgia Tech requires more time or is given higher priority than advising and counseling.  It is the responsibility of North Georgia Tech to inform students about existing academic options and assist them in making decisions about how they can best use the college to facilitate their growth and development.  Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors as often as needed.  Students should consult posted schedules of faculty office hours and make appointments when possible.

At registration, advisors will assist students with the selection of courses.  It is the responsibility of the student, however, to follow the correct course of study to ensure qualification for the diploma or other achievements sought.  All currently enrolled students are encouraged to pre-register.  However, all students may register in the general registration period immediately before the beginning of each quarter.  Students who have not pre-registered may find specific sections of courses filled and unavailable.  Payment must be made before general registration ends, or the registration will be cancelled.  The student is responsible for selecting and following the correct course of study.

 

Grades and Symbols
The following grades are used to specify levels of performance in credit course work.

The following grades are used to specify levels of performance in learning support course work. These grades are not included in the calculation of any academic Grade Point Average (GPA).

AC – Articulated Credit.  Course credit awarded for courses completed in the high school Education and Career Partnership Consortium program.

AU – Audit.  By registering as an auditor, a student is permitted to audit a course and attend classes without meeting all admission requirements for the course and without receiving credit. Students are not permitted to change from audit to credit or from credit to audit after drop/add period at the beginning of each quarter. An auditor may enroll as a special admissions student for the purpose of auditing a course.

EX – Exemption Credit.  Credit awarded to a student for a course based on evidence of demonstrated skill and knowledge of the subject matter from an approved test amd evaluation. Student should apply to the Admissions Office for Exemption Credit before registering for the course. The fee for Exemption Credit is $5 per credit hour, the fee is non-refundable, and the test may be taken only once. Courses receiving an EX will be counted to satisfy requirements for graduation but will not be used to determine academic standing or to calculate grade point average (GPA).
IP – In Progress.  Used to indicate that the student is doing satisfactory work but has not completed all requirements for the course by the end of the quarter. Any course receiving an IP designation must be completed the following quarter, or the IP will convert to a grade of F. Exceptions to extension of time will be made only in the case of extreme extenuating circumstances and upon the agreement of the instructor and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

TR –Transfer Credit.  Course credit may be awarded for courses completed with a “C” or better (unless otherwise noted in the course catalog) from a regionally or nationally accredited technical college, college, or university. Transfer credit is not allowed for learning support courses.

W – Withdrawal.  Indicates official withdrawal from a course before mid-quarter.

WF – Withdrawal Failing.  Indicates official withdrawal from a course after mid-quarter while failing.

WP – Withdrawal Passing.  Indicates official withdrawal from a course after mid-quarter while passing. Students who do not complete the official withdrawal process will be given a grade of F.

Quarterly Grade Point Average
Determination of scholastic standing is generally based upon a quarterly grade point average (GPA) that appears in the student’s academic history record. The quarterly grade point average is that average calculated based on all credit courses taken each quarter.  This average is computed by (1) multiplying the credits for each course by the quality points associated with the grade earned, (2) totaling the points earned for all courses, and (3) dividing the total points by the total number of credits attempted. The quarterly grade point average is calculated using the following quality points.

Graduation Grade Point Average
Graduation Grade Point Average is the average grade of courses required for graduation.  When a course is taken more than once, the final grade for the most recent attempt will be used in calculating the grade point average for graduation. A 2.0 graduation grade point average is required for graduation.
                         
Cumulative Grade Point Average
The cumulative grade point average is not affected by program of study, changes in program of study, or student classification. The cumulative grade point average is that grade point average calculated on all attempts of all credit courses taken at this institution.

Grade Reports
A report of grades is available to the student at the end of each quarter on the Internet. Progress reports may be issued upon request. Any discrepancy or question concerning the course grade should be presented to the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the following quarter.

Full-Time Status
Students must register for 12 or more credit hours to be considered full-time.

Maximum Hours Allowed per Quarter
The maximum number of hours a student will be allowed to register for each quarter is 19. Any student whose registration exceeds 19 hours must obtain written approval from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Work Ethics
All students enrolled in credit programs receive a work ethics grade each quarter.  Students are evaluated in each course they take during a quarter and receive a grade for each course. The work ethics evaluation is based on:  attendance, character, teamwork, appearance, attitude, productivity, organizational skills, communication, cooperation, and respect. The work ethics grade is not computed in the academic GPA.

Satisfactory Progress
Students are responsible for maintaining an acceptable level of progress regarding both quality and quantity of work. The minimum level of performance is to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 and complete the program of study within 150 percent of the expected time for completion. Financial aid is not available for students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. (The Financial Aid Section has more detailed information.)

Good Standing
A student not on Academic Probation or Academic Suspension is in Good Standing.

Academic Warning
A student will be placed on Academic Warning for a period of one quarter if he/she fails to earn a quarterly grade point average of 2.0.

Academic Probation
While on Academic Warning, a student who does not earn a quarterly grade point average of 2.0 will be placed on Academic Probation. While on Academic Probation, a student who does not earn a quarterly grade point average of 2.0 will be placed on Academic Suspension the following quarter and dismissed for one quarter unless a request to remain enrolled is approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs. A student will be on Academic Warning for the quarter following Academic Probation. A student will be on Academic Probation for the quarter following Academic Suspension.

Academic/Grade Appeal Procedure

A student may appeal a final course grade in accordance with NGTC and Department of Technical and Adult Education policy.  The student may appeal by raising the issue in writing with the instructor who awarded the grade.  Forms for appealing a grade are available through the Academic Affairs office.  The student’s written appeal for a final course grade must be filed with the instructor within seven business days of the quarter following the quarter in which the grade in question was issued.  The instructor will respond in writing to the student within five business days after receiving the appeal.  If the consultation with the instructor does not resolve the appeal, a student may appeal to the appropriate Dean of Instruction for either full-time or associate faculty by filing a written request for review.  This written request for review must be filed within seven business days following the response from the instructor.  The dean will respond in writing to the student within ten business days after receiving the appeal.  If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the dean, the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs within seven business days following the dean’s response.  The Vice President for Academic Affairs will respond in writing to the student within ten business days of receiving the written appeal, and the decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs will be final.

A student may appeal an academic grade (i.e., test, project, etc.) in accordance with NGTC and Department of Technical and Adult Education policy.  The student may appeal by raising the issue in writing with the instructor who awarded the grade.  Forms for appealing a grade are available through the Academic Affairs office.  The student’s written appeal of an academic grade must be filed with the instructor within three business days of receiving the grade in question.  The instructor will respond in writing to the student within five business days after receiving the appeal.  If the consultation with the instructor does not resolve the appeal, a student may appeal to the appropriate Dean of Instruction for either full-time or associate faculty by filing a written request for review.  This written request for review must be filed within seven business days following the response from the instructor.  The dean will respond in writing to the student within ten business days after receiving the appeal.  If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the dean, the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs within seven business days following the dean’s response.  The Vice President for Academic Affairs will respond in writing to the student within ten business days of receiving the written appeal, and the decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs will be final.

Repeated Courses
Any course in which a student enrolls more than once is considered a repeated course.  To improve his/her background in a subject matter area, a student may repeat a course in which he/she has previously been enrolled. Both the original course grade and all repeated grades are entered in the student’s academic history. In addition, the grade points earned from each repeated grade are included in the cumulative GPA. In providing credit toward graduation, the credit hours assigned to the course will be counted only once; and the final grade for the most recent attempt will be used in calculating the GPA for graduation. Students who make a grade of F or WF twice in the same course must make a request in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for consideration in taking the course again.

Academic Achievement Recognition
Students who maintain a high grade point average are recognized by being named to either the President’s List or the Honor Roll. The President’s List recognizes full-time students with A’s (4.0 average) in all courses and a minimum grade of “2” in work ethics.  The Honor Roll recognizes any full-time student with a 3.5 GPA.  Students listed on the President’s List and the Honor Roll are recognized annually at the Honors Day celebration. Diploma and degree students who maintain a 3.5 or better GPA for the entire program will be considered Honor Graduates and will receive special recognition at the graduation ceremony.

Requirements for Graduation
Students who satisfactorily complete all courses of study of a prescribed program are eligible for graduation. Students must be admitted to the program of study reflected on their graduation application. ALL STUDENTS WHO ENROLL IN DIPLOMA OR DEGREE PROGRAMS MUST HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED,  THE TESTS OF GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR GRADUATION. A commencement ceremony is held twice each year; diplomas and degrees are awarded at the end of each quarter. At the commencement ceremony, the college will present the highest completed award.

Diplomas/Degrees
Students should apply for graduation during pre-registration for their last quarter. The commencement ceremony is held twice per year, March and September. The $35 graduation fee is non-refundable. Students who plan to participate in the commencement ceremony can order their cap and gown in the bookstore during their last quarter. The student is eligible to receive an award if the diploma or degree program of study has been completed satisfactorily and all financial obligations have been met. This diploma  or degree indicates that the student has satisfactorily met all the requirements in a regular program curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.0* and has met the requirements for regular admission to the program.

Certificates
Technical certificates of credit are awarded at the satisfactory completion of each certificate program, and recipients may participate in formal commencement exercises.

*A minimum grade of “C” is required in all fundamental and specific courses as well as general education classes which are a prerequisite to a higher level course. Those courses with a grade of “D” must be re-taken to meet graduation requirements. Some programsmay require a “C” in all courses required for graduation. This requirement is in keeping with licensure and/or industry requirements. The “certified” certificates (CCSS, CMS, CWDS) require a grade of “B” or better for state certification.

 

Withdrawal Procedure
To withdraw, a student must obtain a withdrawal form from his/her advisor or the Registrar’s Office.

Refund does not apply after drop/add period (first 7 calendar days of quarter). Refer to section of catalog on refunds.  Proration may apply.

Reinstatement
Any student who is dismissed from the school for either academic or disciplinary reasons, or who voluntarily withdraws while not in good standing, or who is on any type of probationary status and desires reinstatement must make a request for reinstatement in writing to the Vice President for Student Affairs. All decisions regarding reinstatement are made by the NGTC Admissions Committee.*

*The NGTC Admissions Committee consists of the NGTC Vice President for Student Affairs, Career Planner/Director of Special Services, Career Planner/Director of Admissions, Career Planner/Blairsville Campus, instructor(s) involved, and anyone appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Licensure Examination
Students enrolled in Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Clinical Laboratory Technology, Paramedic Technology, Pharmacy Technology, Medical Coding, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Health Care Technician, Therapeutic Massage Technician, Cosmetology, Nail Technician and Cosmetic Esthetician must earn a grade of “C” or above in all units of study before eligibility for state or national examinations can be certified. Instructors in these programs will complete referral forms indicating that certification of eligibility for state or national examination is being withheld because requirements are not being met. The referral form will be placed in the student’s permanent record file and will remain there until requirements for passing failed units are met. A time for meeting these requirements will be established by the instructor. Students in Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Welding and Joining Technology, and Air Conditioning Technology may take licensure exams without a diploma. Questions about exams should be directed to the appropriate instructor at NGTC.