COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CREDIT-Credit may be granted for coursework completed at accredited colleges and universities. Transfer credit is granted based upon a student’s learning program. A grade of “C” or higher is required for any coursework that is prerequisite to health career clinical courses in programs such as Nursing, Cardiovascular Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Radiologic Technology and programs included in the Mid-Maryland Allied Healthcare Education Consortium. The college awards credit for other coursework completed with a grade of “D” or above. However, it is imperative that students understand that while “D” grades may satisfy general education requirements at transfer institutions, they are unlikely to satisfy specific course requirements directly related to a student’s major.

FOREIGN COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CREDIT-Credit is awarded, as appropriate, for coursework completed at foreign colleges and universities. However, Howard Community College’s Office of Admissions and Advising generally does not evaluate foreign transcripts. Students seeking credit for coursework completed at foreign colleges and universities must have their transcripts evaluated by an accredited foreign transcript evaluation service. Credit may be granted for foreign coursework based upon the results of such evaluations. Other wise, the same policies and procedures which apply to coursework completed at U.S. colleges and universities are used. Additional information and a list of several accredited foreign transcript evaluation sources are available in the Office of Admissions and Advising and on the college website at www.howardcc.edu/advising; select Transfer to HCC.

HIGH SCHOOL ARTICULATION CREDIT–Students who have completed Howard County Public School career programs through Career Academies may be eligible for academic credit at Howard Community College through an articulation agreement with the school system. Eligibility for this credit is based on a number of factors, including the student’s learning program, other college coursework the student has earned, the student’s grade in the high school course, and the specific terms of the articulation agreement. Students must submit to the college’s Office of Admissions and Advising an official high school transcript and an Articulated Credit Form (available in high school guidance offices and the Office of Admissions and Advising). The award of credit for high school coursework does not guarantee that transfer institutions will grant credit for these courses or grant credit in the same way.

State law limits the number of credits which can be awarded for nontraditional learning to thirty for both two-year and four-year colleges and universities. (This limit is based upon a 60-credit associate degree and/or a 120-credit bachelors degree. The nontraditional credit limit can be increased proportionally when these degrees exceed these credit totals.) The college awards applicable credits earned for the following nontraditional prior learning:

NONCOLLEGIATE PROGRAMS–Credit may be granted for educational programs which apply to students’ learning programs and have been successfully completed at noncollegiate organizations such as government agencies, corporations and businesses, trade and technical schools, and others. Noncollegiate courses will be evaluated in accordance with American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations, as well as in accordance with the college’s articulation agreements with nontraditional organizations and agencies. Official transcripts, along with an Official Transcript Evaluation Request Form, must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Advising.

MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING–Credit may be granted for a variety of formal military, vocational, and educational programs based upon a student’s declared learning program at Howard Community College. Students will be awarded credit based upon recommendations made by the American Council on Education (ACE), as well as in accordance with the college’s articulation agreements with individual military branches and organizations. Official military transcripts, including Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), AARTS, SMART, DD214, DD295 or other military transcripts, must be submitted as well as a Transcript Evaluation Request Form to the Office of Admissions and Advising.

PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT–Credit for prior learning acquired through employment, self-study, volunteer, civic, or other activities may be awarded through the portfolio assessment option. To earn credit through this method, students must enroll in a course specifically designed to assist in the development of a portfolio summarizing prior experiential learning. In COOP-160: Portfolio Development, students learn to document previous learning in a format that enables faculty to assess eligibility for academic credit. Students must demonstrate that prior learning and experience have resulted in the acquisition of college-level competencies and skills directly related to courses in their learning programs. Students have eighteen months to complete their assessment of prior learning through Portfolio Assessment. Specific prerequisites are necessary to participate in this program. For most programs, a maximum of 15 credits may be earned through this option. Further information may be obtained by contacting Dr. Peggy Walton, English/World Language Division 410-772-4068; pwalton@howardcc.edu).

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION–Students may be awarded credit through nationally standardized or HCC institutional testing programs. Howard Community College has specific policies for all testing programs for which it awards credits based upon scores, other credits earned, and students’ learning programs. Credit is generally not awarded for institutional exams taken at other colleges and universities.

Students must submit official score transcripts, declare a major, and submit an official request for a transcript evaluation to receive credit for national examination programs. Information regarding required scores and credits awarded may be obtained by contacting the Office of Admissions and Advising.

NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS–The national examination programs for which the college awards credit are:

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams– These are subject-matter exams sponsored by the Educational Testing Service and generally administered through high schools at the culmination of Advanced Placement course offerings. Further information can be obtained by contacting high school guidance offices or the Educational Testing Service, Attention: AP Exams, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 (www.ets.org). The college generally awards credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams–These are subject-matter exams administered in high school International Baccalaureate Programs. The college generally awards credit for scores of 4, 5, 6 or 7. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions and Advising or the International Baccalaureate Program, North American and Caribbean Region, 200 Madison Avenue, Suite 2301, New York, New York 10016 (www.ibo.org).

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)– This is a national credit-by-examination program providing individuals of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to receive credit for college-level achievement acquired in a wide variety of ways. General and subject examinations are available in many different areas. Howard Community College administers CLEP examinations to current and prospective students. Additional information regarding CLEP can be obtained by contacting the Office of Admissions and Advising or the College Entrance Examination Board, Attention: CLEP, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540 (www.ets.org).

DSST–Students participating in the DSST program have the opportunity to earn college credit for learning that has occurred outside the traditional classroom. Students may earn up to three credits for each examination based upon their scores and the American Council of Education’s (ACE) score recommendations. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions and Advising or DANTES, 6490 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, Florida 32509-5243 (www.getcollegecredit.com).

INSTITUTIONAL EXAMINATIONS—Institutional exams are offered at HCC for selected courses:

Proficiency Exams—These exams are taken prior to course enrollment when students believe they have mastery of course skills and objectives. Successful test performance results in course credits and appears on transcripts as proficiency credit. Proficiency exams cannot be retaken and cannot be taken by students previously unsuccessful in courses for which they are seeking credit. Students must be admitted to the college prior to taking proficiency exams. A fee equal to fifty percent of the current in-county tuition for the course will be charged for each proficiency examination. Proficiency exams must be taken within thirty calendar days after fee payment; students who do not take exams within this thirty-day limit will be notified that they have not passed.

Challenge Exams—These exams are taken after enrolling in courses when students believe they have acquired course skills and objectives. Successful test performance results in the award of course credit which, along with the grade earned, appears on a student’s transcript. A challenge exam may only be attempted once during a course. If the exam does not result in a passing grade, the student remains in the course. There is no additional cost for challenge exams beyond course tuition and fees.

Students must contact the appropriate faculty or division chairperson to arrange proficiency and challenge exams. Lists of proficiency and challenge exams are available in the Office of Admissions and Advising and in division offices.

NURSING ACCELERATION CHALLENGE EXAM– Howard Community College administers the National League for Nursing’s Acceleration Challenge Exam I. This exam is produced by the National League for Nursing and is designed to facilite LPN to RN career mobility. The exam is one method used by the college to assess prior learning and experience in the nursing field and to assist the college with the award of clinical nursing transfer credit and advanced standing placement decisions. Further information regarding this may be obtained through the Office of Admissions and Advising.

The Frederick K. Schoenbrodt Honors Program offers excellent full- and part-time students of all ages flexible opportunities to fulfill their general education requirements as part of a supportive, intellectual community that helps prepare them for more advanced study and transfer. Students enjoy learning with outstanding faculty and peers in stimulating honors courses and through active participation in the college’s academic and cultural events.

The Frederick K. Schoenbrodt Honors Program admits students who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• A high school or college cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and a combined score of 1100 or higher on the critical reading and math sections of the SAT
• A high school or college cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and a composite score of 25 or higher on the ACT
• An HCC grade point average of 3.2 or higher and completion of 12 or more credits
• A grade point average of 3.2 or higher at another institution for applicants who are transferring in to HCC

Entry into an individual honors course by a non-honors track participant will be by the consent of the instructor of the course or by the Director of the Honors Program.

Honors students maintain a yearly cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher at HCC and participate in honors-designated events each semester.

Students who successfully complete 15 credits of honors coursework and present satisfactory evidence of honors-events participation will receive an “Honors” designation on their transcripts.

Honors classes have limited enrollments. The college keeps the class size moderate so that there can be maximum contact between the instructor and the students.

In certain circumstances, consideration will be given to students for whom traditional indicators of success are not always valid.

This selective admissions honors and leadership program is for incoming high school seniors. For further details, see page 35.

Students who have carried and maintained at least 12 semester hours with a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better are eligible for nomination to the Dean’s List. Students who qualify for the Dean’s List must not have received an F, L, or W grade during the semester. Students who have met the qualifications will be recognized as superior students by the college, and their names will be published on the Dean’s List each semester.

Part-time students who have accumulated 12 or more semester hours with a semester grade point average of 3.5 are eligible for nomination to the Dean’s List for Part-Time Students. To qualify for the Dean’s List for Part-Time Students, students must have completed a minimum of six credits in the semester under consideration and must not have received an F, L, or W grade in that semester. Students who qualify for this list will be recognized as superior students by the college, and their names will be published on the Dean’s List for Part-Time Students each semester.

Alpha Alpha Sigma is the HCC chapter of PHI THETA KAPPA, the national honor society of two-year colleges. To be invited to join, students must meet the following criteria during a spring or fall semester: accumulate at least 12 credits in 100- and 200-level courses and have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA in those courses. To remain in the honor society a student must maintain a 3.5 GPA. Induction celebrations are held during both the fall and spring semesters. Phi Theta Kappa students who enroll in honors courses are eligible for a limited number of scholarships.

Howard Community College is accredited by the Alpha Beta Gamma International Business Honor Society to initiate members into the honor society for business and related professional disciplines. Alpha Beta Gamma exists to reward academic excellence among business honor students and to recognize the contribution to learning and business of professionals. To achieve this goal, Alpha Beta Gamma provides leadership opportunities, forums for the exchange of ideas and the stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. Since its founding in 1970, over 65,000 students from accredited community, junior, and technical colleges have been initiated into the society. Alpha Beta Gamma is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, and an affiliate member of both the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC).

Students who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above will be graduated with honors. Students who have a grade point average of 3.75 or above will be graduated with high honors. Those students who have a 4.0 grade point average will graduate with highest honors.

Institutions of higher education exist for the common good and not to further the interest of either the individual faculty member or the institution as a whole. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. It shall be the policy of Howard Community College to maintain and encourage full freedom, within the law, of inquiry, teaching and research for all faculty.

Although academic freedom is fundamental to the rights of the teacher and the student, it carries with it related duties and responsibilities. The faculty member is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing subject matter but should be careful not to introduce controversial topics which are not related to the course. The faculty member is responsible for ensuring that the course content includes material specified by the college in the course description and course objectives.

The college faculty member is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and an officer of an educational institution. When speaking or writing as a citizen, the faculty member should be free from institutional censorship or discipline. However, the special position of the faculty member in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educational officer, he/she should remember that the public may judge the institution or the profession by statements made by individual faculty members. Therefore, accuracy, exercise of appropriate restraint and respect for the opinion of others should be displayed on- and off-campus. The faculty member should also make every effort to indicate that the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the institution.

A liberal education prepares students to lead ethical, productive, and creative lives and to understand how the pursuit of lifelong learning and critical thinking fosters good citizenship. General education courses form the core of a liberal education within the higher education curriculum and provide a coherent intellectual experience for all students by introducing the fundamental concepts and methods of inquiry in the areas of mathematics, the physical and natural sciences, the social sciences, the arts and the humanities, and composition. General education courses develop students’ abilities to communicate effectively in oral and written English and to perform numerical analyses at a college level; develop students’ abilities to think and express themselves analytically, critically, and creatively, and to read with comprehension; foster qualities of open-mindedness, inquiry, and the rational assessment of data; provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in solving complex problems and to apply ethical principles to inquiry; prepare students to adapt to the increasing integration of information technology in all fields of knowledge; encourage students to connect knowledge across these disciplines and to understand themselves as well as their social, aesthetic, political, and physical environment; and foster in students an understanding of and respect for diverse human cultures. Howard Community College recognizes the development of ethical judgment as an integral part of one’s education and supports the integration of ethical issues into the core curriculum.

Howard Community College recognizes that the development of ethical judgment is an integral part of one’s education as well as a vital contributor to a healthy society. In order to encourage the campus community to discover and explore ethical theories and issues in the disciplines and ethical concerns in our daily lives, the college supports the integration of competence in ethical judgment into our core curriculum.

Howard Community College is committed to the philosophy of educational accountability. In order to determine that students are attaining the knowledge and skills appropriate to various courses and programs, regular and planned assessment activities occur.

The assessment activities may take diverse forms including standardized assessments, placement tests, faculty-developed evaluations, focus sessions, and surveys. The college believes that such input is vital to its responsibility to maintain quality instruction. Therefore, class time may be used at times for these activities and it is expected that students will participate in the processes when asked. Confidentiality of responses is ensured. Entering freshmen and graduating students are required to take a standardized test of general education skills.

TRANSCRIPTS AND ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION–Students may view and print unofficial academic transcripts online by using HCC Express found on the HCC website. Students may request copies of their official academic transcript through The National Student Clearinghouse by using HCC Express, or by mailing a request to the Office of Records and Registration, or by submitting a written request in person. The office processes transcripts within two business days of receiving requests.

Instant enrollment verification certificates may be obtained online at no charge through the National Student Clearinghouse via HCC Express.

Students must notify the Office of Records and Registration or the Office of Admissions and Advising, in writing, of record changes including name, address, telephone number, or e-mail address. The Office of Admissions and Advising must be notified about learning program changes. Forms are available on both office’s websites.

The college reserves the right to withhold a transcript if the student has an outstanding debt to the college or other restrictions.

CONFIDENTIALITY—No one outside the college shall have access to, nor will the college disclose, any personally identifiable information from a student’s records without the student’s written consent. This policy applies to all students enrolled in credit classes regardless of age.

Exceptions include: college employees who have legitimate educational interest, such as personnel in the offices of Admissions and Advising, Records and Registration, faculty, vice presidents, and the president within the limitations of their need to know. Additional exceptions include officials of other institutions in which students seek to enroll; persons or organizations providing students with financial aid; accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function; persons complying with a judicial order; and those who, in an emergency, must protect the health or safety of students or others. All these exceptions are permitted under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

This policy is written and published in accordance with the amended Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. The college accords all rights under the act to its students.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION—The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows the Director of Records and Registration (Registrar) to release student directory information. This information may include names, date of birth, addresses, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, major fields of study, attendance dates, degrees, honors, and awards, participation in officially recognized college activities or sports and athletic team members’ weight and height. The college generally will release only the student’s name, dates of attendance, degrees, and honors earned as directory information.

To have directory information withheld, notify the registrar in writing. The college honors such requests only for the current term; students should file renewed requests at the start of each term.

RECORD INSPECTION—The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students the right to inspect and review information contained in their education records and to challenge the content of their records. The registrar coordinates the inspection and review procedures for student education records.

Under FERPA, students may request inspection and review of all or part of their records by writing to the registrar. Records covered by FERPA will be available within 45 days of the request. A student may have copies made of the records with certain exceptions (e.g., a copy of the academic transcript for which a “hold” exists or a transcript of an original or source document which exists elsewhere).

Education records include admissions, financial, academic, and financial aid files as well as cooperative education and placement records. Education records do not include records of instructional and administrative personnel, which are the sole possession of the maker.

Disciplinary records are held by the vice president of student services separate from education records in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Alumni, student health and security records are not considered education records.

Students may not review financial information submitted by their parents, confidential letters and recommendations tied to admissions, employment, job placement or honors to which they have waived inspection and review rights; or records involving more than one student. In that case, the college will allow access only to the part of the record involving the inquiring student.

Also, the college is not required to let students review confidential letters and recommendations placed in their files prior to Jan. 1, 1975 if they were collected under established policies of confidentiality and used only for purposes for which they were collected.

Any student who believes his/her rights were abridged may file a complaint with the

U.S. Department of Education Family Policy Compliance Office, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

Students who have academic complaints (including a specific academic complaint involving a faculty member) that remains unresolved through informal means, may enter a formal process of problem resolution. The Student Academic Complaint Procedures and the appropriate form may be obtained from the division offices. An academic complaint is defined as issues related to classroom instruction or grade disputes (including late penalties, acceptance or non-acceptance of late assignments and incomplete grades). The student and instructor are encouraged to seek resolution informally before filing an academic complaint. Students wishing to initiate a formal academic complaint must submit an academic complaint form to the appropriate division chair by the end of the seventh week of the next full semester.

The method(s) for evaluation and grading within a course will be clearly stated in the course syllabus. Evaluation procedures will be objective and appropriately related to the course’s objectives and content.

Howard Community College does not have a college-wide attendance policy; however, regular class attendance is one of the most important responsibilities of the student. Each instructor determines the requirements for attendance, which in many cases will count toward the final grade. Attendance requirements will be clearly spelled out in the course syllabus and discussed by the instructor.

A student who wishes to drop a class and receive a refund must officially do so using the HCC Express link on the college website, through Telephone Registration, or in person at the Office of Records and Registration during the specified period of time. A class may only be dropped during the first twenty percent of its scheduled meeting dates. The schedule of classes publication lists the drop dates for each semester. The percent of refund depends upon the date that the class is officially dropped. Classes that are dropped do not appear on the academic transcript. Drop periods are prorated for classes that have fewer meeting dates or classes that start later than the regular semester start date.

Veterans whose classes have been certified under the GI Bill, must notify the VA Certifying Official in the Office of Records and Registration when dropping classes. Failure to do so may result in overpayment from the VA. International (F1) students must receive consent from the international student advisor prior to dropping from a course. Not doing so could seriously jeopardize a student’s F1 visa status.

A student who registers for a course and does not report to class within the first twenty percent of scheduled class sessions may be assigned the grade of “NA” (indicating never attended) for the course and will not receive any refund of tuition. This may affect financial aid.

A student who wishes to officially withdraw from a course must complete a withdrawal form in the Registration Office or withdraw by web or touchtone. Vertification of this action will be sent to the student via US mail. Veterans whose classes have been certified under the GI Bill, must notify the VA Certifying Official in the Office of Records and Registration when withdrawing from classes. Failure to do so may result in overpayment from the VA. International (F1) students must receive consent from the international student advisor prior to withdrawing from a course. Not doing so could seriously jeopardize an F1 student’s status. This action should be taken as soon as the student ceases attendance but must be done between the third and tenth week of classes during a regular semester. The schedule of classes publication will list each semester’s withdrawal deadline date. Students withdrawing officially from a class will receive a grade of “W.” Students who do not withdraw by the posted deadline must accept the final grade earned for the course. The “W” will appear on the student’s transcript and show as hours attempted but will not be calculated into the student’s GPA. After attempting twelve (12) cumulative credits, students will be placed on academic probation if they withdraw from more than fifty percent of credits.

Students attending Howard Community College will follow the catalogue requirements in effect during the semester they enrolled, or any catalogue thereafter, provided they maintain continuous enrollment. Students may take up to two calendar years off and still graduate under the catalogue requirements they had been following as long as they complete a course in the last semester attended and complete a course in the semester they return. Students who take more than two calendar years off must be readmitted to the college (though they do not need to pay another application fee). (Exceptions are possible only in extraordinary circumstances.)

All students who change their learning program must follow the curriculum requirements of the catalogue in place when the change is made. (Exceptions are possible only in extraordinary circumstances such as military deployment.)

Even when students select the same learning program, they must follow the program requirements in place when they are readmitted.

To officially change learning programs, students must complete a Change of Learning Program Form which must be signed by an advisor and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Advising. This form is available in this office or on the college’s advising website (www.howardcc.edu/advising).

Students who have been granted course substitutions or who previously transferred credits into the college must also officially request a re-evaluation of their academic record based upon their new learning program and/or the new catalogue they are following.

An audit designation must be specified at the time of registration. No credit will be given. Audit status can ONLY be converted to credit status and credit status can ONLY be converted to audit status during the first three weeks of a major semester. Students may convert their status only once during that period. Audited courses do not count as part of the semester’s credit hour load nor as credit towards graduation unless repeated for credit. In addition, audited courses will appear on the transcript with a grade of N.

“CustomClass” is an enrollment option which allows students to enroll in credit classes without having been admitted as credit students or meeting the normal prerequisites. CustomClass students select this option at the time of registration and CANNOT later change to credit or audit status. They will be exposed to the material and instruction in a credit course but will not receive grades or transcripts for the course. Some courses may be eligible for CEUs (continuing education units) or certifications from the Continuing Education Division.

The college may cancel any course due to insufficient registration.

One semester hour of credit is generally assigned for each lecture period or laboratory session. Lecture periods are 52 minutes and laboratory sessions are two to three hours in length per credit.

A full-time student schedule for either the fall or spring semester generally consists of 12 to 18 credit hours. Students registered for less than 12 credit hours are classified as part time. Schedules in excess of 18 semester hours must be approved by a counselor or academic advisor. Students enrolled in a term of less than ten weeks may take a maximum of eight credits.

Certain Allied Health programs, during the clinical phase, may be considered full-time with less than 12 credits.

The student on probation who does not meet the minimum standard of satisfactory performance the next major semester in which he or she is enrolled will be placed on academic suspension. When placed on suspension, the student may not attend HCC during the next major semester. Students have the right to appeal academic suspension.

SUSPENSION APPEAL—There may be mitigating circumstances contributing to a student being suspended; therefore, the student may appeal his or her suspension. Details of the appeal process are included in the letter notifying the student of his or her suspension. If the student’s appeal is granted, the student will remain on academic probation and the course schedule may be restricted. Additionally, if the student does not meet satisfactory performance standards, he or she will be placed on suspension.

READMISSION AFTER SUSPENSION—Students who are suspended and have been out for one major semester must contact the Coordinator of Retention. Upon readmission, the student will remain on academic probation, the course schedule may be restricted and the student must meet the satisfactory progress standard as stated above. If satisfactory progress is not met, the student will be suspended. Students have the right to appeal academic suspension. Specific readmission procedures for the nursing program are found on page 17.