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Tennessee College of Applied Technology programs are designed to be completed in one year (usually 1290 clock hours except as noted). However, some students may need more or less than the usual number of clock hours to achieve the level of competency required.

Academic Retention Standards

Effective fall term 2007, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 (on 4.0 scale) is required each semester for continued enrollment in the TCAT, except for those programs having higher retention/progression standards due to accrediting or licensing requirements.. Students failing to achieve the minimum semester grade for the program will be suspended for two enrollment periods. The summer term does count as an enrollment period.

The semester grade will reflect each student’s progress in the following categories:

Skill Proficiency (written tests, lab work)
Related Information (daily journals, math)
Worker Characteristics (attendance*, participation, working with others)

*Regular and punctual class attendance is required. Excessive absences and tardies will have an adverse effect on student progress. For each 1% of the assigned clock hours that a student is absent from class, 3.2 points will be deducted from the attendance grade. A student who has been absent for 11% or more of a semester will receive a failing grade for attendance. One point will be deducted from the final attendance grade for each tardy. A student is considered tardy if not in the classroom at the designated time for class to start. The attendance grade will be averaged in with the other course-related grades for the student’s final semester grade.

In individual cases of extenuating circumstances, the dean may make exceptions to suspension. Requests for exceptions must be made in writing and be accompanied by full documentation.

Academic Suspension

Any students that are academically suspended after attending credit classes or a TCAT program must sit out for two enrollment periods, including summer. If a student on academic suspension sits out for two semesters, then the student does not have to submit a reinstatement appeal. A student that sits out for two semesters will be put on post suspension probation for the term in which the student is re-admitted. If a student wishes to return to a TCAT program prior to sitting out two semesters, then that student must submit a reinstatement appeal to the Dean for review. In the reinstatement appeal the student must address 1) the issues that contributed to the student’s suspension and 2) what will be different in this next attempt in order to allow the student to be successful if allowed to return. In the event that a reinstatement appeal is approved, then the student will be on post suspension probation.

Students on post suspension probation will not be allowed to register for the following term until their grades for their current term have been processed. Student should check in with TCAT Student Services during the week of continuing student registration to ensure that a seat is reserved for them in the following term.

Telephone:   (423) 697-4433

Division Web site:  www.chattanoogastate.edu/tcat

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