02:03:02 Academic Standards
- The purpose of this policy is to set forth the academic standards that students must meet in order to gain a certificate or degree.
- Degrees and Requirements
- In order to obtain a degree or certificate, students must complete the general requirements as prescribed by Chattanooga State and the specific requirements set forth for the program of study. Other requirements are as follows:
- Minimum residence: Specific residence requirements must be met in order to receive a degree or technical certificate from Chattanooga State. For more detailed information, refer to the Chattanooga State College Catalog.
- Minimum credit hours: Each candidate must complete at least 60 credit hours to be eligible for the associate degree.
- Minimum grade-point average: A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on all college-level coursework at Chattanooga State is required for graduation.
- Academic Plan: Successful completion of the curriculum and/or student learning outcomes for the degree path chosen.
- Degree application: Each prospective graduate must file an Intent to Graduate form during the semester preceding the semester of anticipated graduation. Prospective graduates should meet with their academic advisors for the Intent to Graduate Form and submission deadlines.
- Catalog option: The student must meet the requirements of (a) the current catalog or (b) the catalog effective at the time the student entered a program, provided graduation is within five years from the entrance date. This option does not exempt anyone from the general requirements of Chattanooga State. General requirements are subject to change without notice.
- Commencement: An annual commencement exercise will be scheduled at the end of each spring semester for those certified as completing all requirements during or before the spring semester or during the summer semester.
- Students are required to take a College Exit Exam designed to measure achievement in general education as a prerequisite for graduation. Students in selected programs may also be required to take exams within the major as a prerequisite for graduation. The purpose of such examinations is to evaluate the effectiveness of the College and/or the program in achieving predetermined student learning outcomes. Students not complying with requested testing provisions will have their transcripts and diplomas placed on hold.
- Programs of Study and Academic Plans
- It is the student’s responsibility to select a program of study. Chattanooga State does, however, provide guidance and requires academic advising while students pursue educational goals.
- Students who plan to transfer from Chattanooga State to another institution of higher education should:
- secure a copy of the catalog of the other institution and plan with officials at that institution to take Chattanooga State courses that will transfer; or
- follow a published articulation agreement such as a Tennessee Transfer Pathways (TTP), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or other formal agreement with a university.
- Waiver of a Prerequisite
- Under special circumstances, the department head or program coordinator may waive a course prerequisite. The waiver is granted only when it is determined that the student has a fundamental knowledge of the material and that his or her progress in the subsequent course would not be impeded.
- The waiver of a prerequisite is not to be confused with a course waiver. If the prerequisite waived is a course required in the student’s program, a course substitution for the required prerequisite course must be requested. The course substitution must be granted (as below) before the associate degree is awarded.
- Course Waiver and Substitution
- Under special circumstances, a course may be waived by the department head, program director, or dean (except learning support courses). The waiver is granted in instances where a course deletion or other curricular change necessitates it. If a course substitution is required, a course of equal or greater credit must be taken in lieu of any course waived. This stipulation in no way reduces the minimum semester hours required for the associate’s degree. Primary consideration must be given to courses from the same discipline as the course waived. Any course substitution requested, for a general education course, must be taken from the list of general education courses in the College Catalog. No fees are required for a course waiver and substitution beyond those associated with enrollment in the substituted course. No credit is awarded for a course waiver.
- Grading System
- Letter grades are used to identify levels of student performance as evidenced by work quality, subject knowledge, application of knowledge and skills, and the degree to which other course requirements are met. Specific grading criteria are outlined in the College Catalog and individual course syllabi.
- Other grades that may appear on grade reports and transcripts are the following:
- I (Incomplete)–A grade of I indicates that a student was passing the course at the end of the semester but, due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, was unable to complete course requirements. It also indicates the student received consent from the instructor to complete the work for which an I was given. The I grade is not to be used to allow a student to do additional work to raise a deficient grade or to repeat all or part of a course. The course in which the I grade was received contributes to attempted credit hours in semester GPA calculation. Upon completion of course requirements, the I grade will be replaced with the appropriate final grade. The GPA will be recalculated to reflect the revised grade. If course requirements are not completed, the I grade will change to an IF two weeks before the end of the subsequent term.
- AU (Audit)–This grade indicates the student elected to enroll in the course for no grade or credit. Audits do not replace grades previously issued and learning support courses cannot be audited. A student can change from credit to audit up to the change to audit deadline as published in the academic calendar. Students requesting to audit a class can do so from the first day of class onwards in the Enrollment Services Center (ESC). Students can only audit classes with space in them unless approved by the faculty member and Department Head. Selective approval classes (e.g. Nursing) require permission from the Dean.
- W (Withdrawal)–A grade of W indicates that a student has officially withdrawn from a course after the official registration period published in the academic calendar. A student may officially withdraw from any college-level course up to the official withdrawal deadline as published in the academic calendar. A W grade will not be included in the GPA calculation, however, a grade of W may affect a student’s financial aid eligibility (see the Drop, Add, and Withdrawal Standards section below).
- CE (Credit by Examination)–This grade indicates credit for both institutional and national exams (AP and CLEP).
- AP (Advanced Placement)–This grade indicates a student has been awarded credit as a result of prior learning assessment (PLA). This grade is not included in GPA calculation.
- S (Satisfactory)–Selected courses may be offered on a competency based grading system. This grade indicates the student satisfactorily met the minimum competencies.
- N (No Credit)–Selected courses may be offered on a competency based grading system. This grade indicates the student did not satisfactorily meet the minimum competencies.
- E (Repeat)–This indicates a course is being repeated for the purpose of increasing mastery necessary for successful performance in a later course or for the purpose of increasing the student’s GPA. (See Chattanooga State Catalog for additional information.)
- Maximum Load
- The regular load for a student per 15-week term will be 15-19 hours credit. Any student requesting a course load above 19 hours must meet specific criteria and have the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Request for Overload Forms can be obtained from the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
- The regular load for a student per 7-week term will be 9-10 hours credit. Any student requesting a course load above 10 hours must meet specific criteria and have the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Request for Overload Forms can be obtained from the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
- The regular load for a student combining 7 and 15-week terms will be 6-7 hours credit per 7-week terms and 6-7 hours per 15-week terms. Any student requesting a course load above 19 total hours for the semester must meet specific criteria and have the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Request for Overload Forms can be obtained from the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
- Drop, Add, and Withdrawal Standards
- For official registration dates for each semester, see the Academic Calendar posted in the Chattanooga State Catalog. Additional guidelines may be developed each semester.
- Following the last day to register and no later than the published last day to withdraw deadline date (see Academic Calendar in the Chattanooga State Catalog), a student may officially withdraw from one or more courses, or withdraw from Chattanooga State and receive a W for each course withdrawal. Withdrawing may affect financial aid including possible repayment. Students considering withdrawing should contact the Financial Aid Office.
- Beyond the last day to drop/withdraw, a student may retroactively withdraw only if it can be demonstrated that an unusual condition or hardship exists.
- Students must provide documented evidence supporting the unusual condition or hardship.
- No requests for late withdrawal will be accepted one calendar year after the semester from the end of the semester in which the student was enrolled in the course.
- Final approval of all requests for late withdrawal rests with the Vice President for Academic Affairs or his or her designee.
- Final approval of all request for refunds rests with the Executive Vice President for Business and Finance or designee.
- Academic Probation Standards
- Academic Probation
- A student who does not attain the cumulative grade point average (GPA) progression standards (as seen in the Chattanooga State College Catalog) will be placed on academic probation for the next enrolled semester.
- Academic Suspension
- Any student on academic probation who does not attain either the cumulative GPA progression standard (as seen in the Chattanooga State College Catalog) or a 2.0 GPA for the current semester will be suspended for the subsequent semester. The summer semester cannot be counted as the semester of suspension, nor can a suspended student enroll in summer courses. The second occurrence, post-suspension probationary status, will subject the student to a twelve month suspension.
- A student who has been suspended due to special circumstances may request a continuance through the Academic Appeals process. Should the continuance be granted, the student will receive special counseling that could result in a course load reduction, a new program of study, testing, and/or course placement.
- Awards and Honors
- Students graduating with the following grade-point averages in college-level courses will receive the corresponding honors designation on their diplomas:
- 3.90 - 4.00 Summa Cum Laude
- 3.70 - 3.89 Magna Cum Laude
- 3.50 - 3.69 Cum Laude
- In addition to graduation distinctions Chattanooga State recognizes outstanding students through the Dean’s List. Students completing 12 or more college-level credit hours with a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher will make the Dean’s List for that semester.
- Other significant recognition is presented to outstanding graduates as selected by faculty. Learning Support courses are not considered in determining eligibility for academic awards, honors or Dean’s List.
- The Global Scholars Program is Chattanooga State’s Academic Honors Program. Global Scholars students meet at least one of the following criteria: ACT composite score of 25; SAT score of 1130; High School GPA of 3.5 or higher; a minimum of 12 college level hours with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Concerns or Complaints Regarding Instructors
- A student who has a concern or complaint regarding a Chattanooga State instructor should follow these steps:
- Discuss the concern with the instructor.
- If the problem is not resolved by a conversation with the instructor, the student and/or the instructor may then contact the appropriate department head/program director.
- If the problem is not resolved by a conversation with the department head/program director, the student, instructor, and/or the department head/program director may then contact the appropriate dean.
- If the issue is not resolved, the dean can contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will determine any additional steps to be taken.
- A student who has a discrimination or harassment complaint should be directed to the Dean of Student Engagement and Support Services.
- Academic Standards Dismissals
- A student may be dismissed from Chattanooga State for adequate cause, including:
- Failing to meet minimum academic standards as stated in the sections concerning academic standards
- Violating responsibility codes as set forth in the Catalog and Handbook
- Exhibiting conduct of an unacceptable nature, including the violation of local, state or national laws, but not necessarily restricted to the violations of such laws or ordinances
- Giving false information on the admissions application form
- Possessing, selling, furnishing or using illegal drugs on or off campus
- Possessing, selling, furnishing or using alcoholic beverages on campus, and
- Failing to meet financial obligations to Chattanooga State.
Source: TBR POLICY: 2:03:01:01
Submitted to Policy Review Committee on February 20, 2023
Submitted to Policy Review Board on March 27, 2023
Approved by Policy Review Board on April 12, 2023
Submitted to Policy Review Committee on June 4, 2021
Submitted to Policy Review Board on July 8, 2021
Approved by Policy Review Board on July 28, 2021
Submitted to Policy Review Committee on September 16, 2019
Submitted to Policy Review Board on October 21, 2019
Approved by Policy Review Board on October 30, 2019
See Previous Version(s):
Source: local policy December 2000, Revised March 2009
Reviewed and Revised by: Academic Affairs, 03/20/09
Source: Original Approved by Executive Staff and President’s Cabinet, 05/20/09
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