Student Credit Hour Load
The academic year consists of a fall and a spring semester, each at least 16 weeks in length. Summer sessions are also available. Academic and technical credit programs are offered on a semester credit hour basis. One hour of credit is generally earned for each hour per week a student attends class every semester. Laboratory classes require additional time under an instructor’s supervision. Approximately two hours of study time is recommended for each hour of classroom activity. Fifteen hours of college credit is considered a standard semester load. Students may discuss with their advisors, and the appropriate instructional administrator, their desire to carry more than 18 hours a semester. Permission to enroll in more than 18 hours per semester or more than 12 hours online may be granted by the appropriate instructional administrator. An average course load for the combined summer sessions is suggested to be no more than 12 hours.
Enrollment
Enrollment begins well in advance of the beginning of each semester and summer session. Currently enrolled students are given the opportunity to select classes before enrollment is opened to new students. Enrolling early is highly recommended for students to secure a satisfactory class schedule. Late enrollment may cause scheduling difficulties because of closed classes. Enrollment for the summer begins in March and fall semesters begins in April. Enrollment for the spring semester begins in November. Exact dates for the start of these enrollment periods are listed in the calendar located in the front of this catalog, in the Student Handbook and on the College web site.
Placement Testing
GCCC has adopted multiple placement measures to help students select the most appropriate English, Reading and Math courses for their educational goals. Earning a degree from GCCC requires the successful completion of a series of communication and math courses. There are mandatory prerequisite skills for access to these courses because we want to set up students for success. Developmental course work is intended to prepare students with the academic skills necessary to succeed at the college level. The placement guidelines below determine if the student is prepared for success in the required English, reading, and math courses.
- Students who provide high school transcripts with a graduation date within the last three (3) years are encouraged to use their cumulative high school GPA instead of placement exams.
- Students who have completed the GED (Version 2014) within the last three (3) years are encouraged to use their GED scores instead of placement exams.
- Students may also use ACT or SAT scores that are within the last three years for placement.
- Students who have graduated from High School or completed their GED more than three (3) years ago will need to take the ACCUPLACER placement test. Please contact the Mary Jo Williams Testing Center in the Student and Community Services Center (SCSC) to arrange for testing.
Academic Advising
The Salmans Advising Center provides academic advising services to current and prospective students. All students are enrolled in the first semester at GCCC by an advisor in the Salmans Advising Center. Once enrolled for their first semester, students are assigned academic advisors based on the program of study declared on the student’s Application for Admission. Deciding, exploratory, and non-degree seeking students will be assigned an academic advisor in the Salmans Advising Center. Advisors will assist students in setting practical and realistic academic goals. Academic advisors assist students with interpreting academic placement, enrollment restrictions, course selection, degree options, transfer information, and related academic guidance information. And advisor’s approval is required for enrollment and course schedule changes. Students can change their advisor by completing a Reassignment of Advisor form. Advisor changes may be subject to approval by the Director of Advising. Students are responsible for consulting with their advisor on the development of their educational plan and the completion of the coursework required to meet their educational goals. It is essential that the student meet with their academic advisor several times throughout a semester to review their educational progress.
Student Classifications
Full-time: Students enrolled in 12 or more semester credit hours.
Part-time: Students enrolled in fewer than 12 semester credit hours.
Special: Students pursuing high school graduation requirements and concurrently enrolled in college classes.
Freshman: Students with fewer than 30 semester credit hours completed.
Sophomore: Students with at least 30 semester credit hours completed.
Non-degree Seeking: Students not pursuing a degree or certificate from GCCC.
Probationary: Students who have transferred to GCCC after being placed on academic probation from a transfer institution.
Course Numbers
| 000-099 |
Developmental courses. Developmental courses are designed to raise the level of basic skills so that students can perform satisfactorily in college level courses. These courses do not count toward fulfilling the sixty-four hour graduation requirement (for degrees and certificates); however, they can be used for athletic eligibility requirements and some financial aid requirements. |
| 100-299 |
Credit courses. Credit courses are those courses that meet degree and certificate requirements. Course prerequisites should be noted and adhered to for student success. |
Identification Cards
During enrollment periods, the College will issue (or update) a photo identification card for all students. Upon payment of fees, the I.D. card are validated for the semester. The cards are available in the Broncbuster Bookstore in the Beth Tedrow Student Center. Students are requested to carry the card at all times to take advantage of a number of activities and events free of charge. The I.D. card entitles the student to the following:
- Admittance to Student Government Association activities, home athletic events, drama and musical presentations sponsored by the College.
- A vote in all College elections such as student government offices and college royalty contests.
- Materials and the use of other services at the Saffell Library.
- Use of the computer center and checking out games/game equipment and other services in the Beth Tedrow Student Center.
- Entry to the College cafeteria for those who have contracted for meals.
- Cash discounts at area businesses.
Additional privileges and services are currently being developed. Lost I.D. cards should be reported to Campus Security. Duplicate cards may be obtained for a nominal charge. Students must present proof of enrollment and another photo ID.
Registration
Final registration is scheduled the day prior to the start of each semester. Late registrations, without a Dean’s permission, are allowed for the first five (5) class days of each semester.
Deadlines
High school/home study school students and students in gifted programs must have principal permission forms completed and on file at the time of their enrollment. Failure to do so will classify students as “course auditors” and no credit are awarded.
Fee payment must be made by August 1 and January 1 of each semester for early enrolled students to maintain their enrollments. Failure to do so will cancel enrollments and the student will need to re-enroll.
Documentation for change of “Residency Status” must be in place by registration day of the semester for which the change is requested.
Add/Drop Policy and Procedures
Once a student has completed registration, the only way to modify the class schedule is through the add/drop procedures (Change of Schedule form) adopted by the College. Any student who wishes to modify his/her schedule should immediately go see their academic advisor.
Refer to the Add/Drop/Change of Schedule Policy on the GCCC Website.
Adding Classes
Students wishing to add (a) class(es) during the first five (5) days of each semester may do so with their academic advisor in Self-Service. After the fifth (5th) day of the semester, the student must secure a Change of Schedule form from the Registrar’s Office or his or her academic advisor, obtain the advisor’s signature, and a signature from the instructor(s) involved before returning the completed form to the Registrar’s Office. In addition, after the published 20th day of classes for a given term (or 25% of class meetings for nonstandard classes), the signature of the appropriate Dean is required before the Registrar’s Office will process the Change of Schedule form.
If a class has reached maximum enrollment and the class is “closed”, the student has the option to be placed on the waitlist (if available) for the class. Before the class starts, the advisor can place the student on the waitlist in Self-Service. If a space becomes available in the class, the student, instructor, and advisor will be notified. The student will have four (4) days to respond and accept the space for enrollment. The advisor can enroll the student in the course in Self-Service. After four (4) days the student will be removed from the waitlist.
Dropping Classes
Students wishing to drop (a) class(es) during the first five (5) days of each semester may do so with their academic advisor in Self-Service. After the fifth (5th) day of the semester, the student must secure a Change of Schedule form from the Registrar’s Office or his or her academic advisor, obtain the advisor’s signature, and a signature from the instructor(s) involved before returning the completed form to the Registrar’s Office. In addition, if the student is receiving a scholarship from any GCCC organization or team and/or is receiving financial aid and the schedule change results in the student’s enrollment dropping below a total of 12 credit hours, the student must also obtain a signature of approval from the coach, organization sponsor, and/or Financial Aid Office before turning in the Change of Schedule form to the Registrar’s Office. Courses dropped prior to the published 20th day of classes (certification day) for a given term (or 25% of class meetings for non-standard classes) will not be recorded on the student’s transcript. After the certification date, officially dropped courses will appear on the transcript with a grade of “W”. Dropping courses is allowed only until 75% of course completion. After the last date to withdraw, students who do not officially drop (withdraw) from a class will receive the grade recorded by the instructor. Students may appeal to the Academic Review Committee.
Course Withdrawal Appeal Policy
Students may appeal to the Academic Review Committee within two (2) weeks of the Last Day to Withdraw by following the steps below:
- Students wishing to appeal the Last Day to Withdraw must complete a “Course Withdrawal Appeal Request” form and return it to the Dean of Student Services within two weeks of the Last Day to Withdraw from classes. The appeal form is available in the Registrar’s Office.
- The Dean of Student Services will forward all appeals to the Appeal Committee which are comprised of three members of the Academic Review Committee.
- The Appeal Committee will meet to review and approve or deny the appeals and will send the request forms back to the Dean of Student Services who will notify students of the outcome.
- If the request is approved, the Dean of Student Services will notify the Registrar in writing. The Registrar will withdraw the student from the class(es) in question and issue a ‘W’ (withdrawn) for the class(es). If the request is denied, the student will receive the grade for the class that the instructor records.
- The chairperson for the Academic Review Committee will notify the student, in writing, of the committee’s decision. The decision of the committee is final.
Refer to the Course Withdrawal Appeal Policy on the GCCC website.
Complete Withdrawal from College
Students who find it necessary to withdraw from all College classes for the remainder of the semester must meet with an academic advisor in the Student and Community Services Center. Completing this process helps the student avoid future holds on records by returning materials and clearing up discrepancies before leaving GCCC. Instructors cannot withdraw a student from the College who has stopped attending. Students who do not process a Complete Withdrawal will receive whatever grade is earned throughout the remainder of the semester, and that grade will be recorded on the student’s transcript.
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