Academic Load
A normal academic course load for a student during the regular academic semester is 15 semester hours. The minimum full-time load is 12 semester hours, and the maximum load is 18 hours. A student who wishes to take additional hours must request permission from the Vice President for Learning, but in no case may the regular semester total exceed 21 hours. 14 semester hours is the maximum allowed during a summer term without special permission.
Factors such as academic background, grade point average and family and work responsibilities should be carefully considered when the course load is being determined.
Some students are not successful in college because their outside responsibilities are too demanding. This is especially true for students entering college for the first time. The number of hours of outside employment considered to be too much will not be the same for all students; however, the following is offered as a general guide:
Semester Minimum Maximum Hours
Hours Carried Homework Outside Work
15 hours 30 hours/week 15 hours/week or less
12 hours 24 hours/week 20 hours/week or less
9 hours 18 hours/week 30 hours/week or less
6 hours 12 hours/week 40 hours/week or less
Definition of a Credit Hour
The unit of credit awarded at NorthWest Arkansas Community College is the semester credit hour which is the equivalent of a subject pursued one period per week during one semester for a minimum of fifteen weeks. A lecture course valued at three credit hours will meet three periods per week for 55 minutes each period, two periods per week for 1 hour and 15 minutes each period or once each week for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Courses involving both lecture and laboratory, such as science and art, meet for six clock-hours a week for 4 and 3 credit hours respectively.
Student Class Standing
Freshman: A student who has passed fewer than 30 semester hours course work.
Sophomore: A student who has passed more than 29 hours but fewer than 60 semester hours of course work.
Official Enrollment
Any student who attends a class on a regular basis must be officially enrolled and registered in the College. No student may attend a class if his or her name does not appear on the official class roster issued by the Registrar.
Class Attendance Policy
Registered students are expected to attend all classes. Some instructors may choose to use attendance as part of grading for a particular course. Instructors have the authority to lower a grade or fail a student based on attendance. If an instructor chooses to use attendance as part of grading, then the specific attendance policy will be distributed with other course information at the beginning of the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to know the policy and to comply. Students unable to continue attending class should complete a Drop Form at the Student Records Office. Students who do not officially withdraw will likely receive a failing grade due to their absence.
Grading Policy
Grading Symbols
NWACC uses the following grading symbols:
A - Excellent
B - Good
C - Average
D - Lowest passing grade
F - Failing
I - Incomplete
IP - In Progress
AU - Audit (denotes registration and participation in a course in the usual manner, but no credit is awarded)
W - Withdrawal
FA - Failed due to non-attendance
Grade Point Average (GPA)
The grade point average (GPA) at NWACC is calculated as outlined below:
1. To determine the grade points earned in each course, multiply the number of quality points for the assigned letter grade by the number of credit hours for the course.
A = 4 quality points
B = 3 quality points
C = 2 quality points
D = 1 quality point
F = 0 quality points
FA = 0 quality points
(W, I, IP, and AU not considered in determining
GPA).
2. Add these grade points to arrive at the total grade points earned during a term.
3. Divide this grade point total by the total number of credit hours pursued that term. The cumulative grade point average is calculated the same way as the GPA for each term except that all of the student’s college work is taken into account.
Sample Computation:
Hours Quality Grade
Course Grade Enrolled x Points = Points
English B 3 x 3 = 9
History A 3 x 4 = 12
Math C 3 x 2 = 6
Psychology B 3 x 3 = 9
Science D 4 x 1 = 4
Physical Ed. F 1 x 0 = 0
40 (grade points) divided by 17 (hours enrolled) = 2.35 GPA
Incomplete Grades
At the instructor’s discretion, a grade of “I” may be assigned to a student who has not completed all course requirements but who has met the following conditions:
a) The student (or his/her authorized representative) initiated the request
b) The student was carrying at least a “C” in the course before the situation arose that prompted the request for the incomplete
c) The student was in compliance with all course requirements, including attendance and percentage of material covered.
d) The student was unable because of a documented medical reason or other documented circumstance beyond his/her control to finish assigned classwork/papers or to take the final examination.
If the student and the instructor agree that the student is unable to make up missed classwork then they will fill out an Incomplete Contract which will:
a) Stipulate the specific course requirements to be completed
b) Stipulate the specific date by which the requirements must be completed, if different from college policy, which is the last class day of the semester immediately following the one in which a student received an “I” (summer terms count as one “semester”)
c) Be signed by the student, the instructor and the appropriate division or department head with copies given to the registrar.
If the student does not complete the course work by the date stipulated on the contract, then the “I” becomes an “F.” Students who need to attend class to make up incomplete work will need to re-register for the class. It is against college policy for a student to sit in on a class section without being specifically registered for that section.
In Progress Grades
With permission of the Vice President for Learning, an IP (In Progress) grade may be assigned for course work unable to be completed in a normal semester or term.
Grade Changes (other than incomplete)
Grades may be changed only under very unusual circumstances. A written petition by the student must be submitted to the Vice President for Learning. The Vice President for Learning will then consult with the instructor and appropriate department head or division chair prior to reaching a decision. Any grade change (other than “I”) must be changed within the first two weeks of the following semester, excluding summer sessions. A grade that has been allowed to stand unchallenged for a period of five years is final.
Audit
Students may enroll to audit a course for self-enrichment, or to observe a course before enrolling for credit in it. Students should consult the instructor of a course they want to audit to gain information about course work and examinations. Students may audit courses only when class enrollment permits. Tuition and fees are paid at the same rate as classes taken for credit. Financial Aid will not pay for audited courses.
A grade of AU is given for audit enrollment. No graduation or transfer credit is awarded. A student may change a course from credit to audit or from audit to credit through the first week of classes during each semester.
Repeating Courses
Sometimes a student may wish to repeat a course for greater knowledge of a subject or for an improved grade. When a student repeats a course, the highest grade earned is computed in the refigured cumulative grade point average. The initial course grade remains on the transcript along with the new grade.
Withdrawal Policy
Students who wish to withdraw from a class or classes should first consult with their instructor or with an academic advisor. It may be possible to make alternate arrangements to avoid the loss of time or credit.
If a student determines that a class should be dropped, an official Drop Form must be completed and processed by the Student Records Office. The grade of “W” will not appear on a student’s transcript if the class is dropped on or before the 11th day of classes during the fall or spring semester, or on or before the 2nd day of classes in the summer sessions. A student who withdraws from a class after the above mentioned dates shall receive a letter grade of “W” on the official transcript if the drop is made within the specified time period (see academic calendar).
A student may petition for a “W” after the designated deadline has expired if one of the following events has occurred:
a. Illness or injury to the student or immediate family member.
b. Involuntary work schedule change or transfer.
c. Death of a member of the immediate family of the student.
d. Jury duty or direct involvement by the student with legal action or military responsibilities.
e. Called to active military duty
The Late Drop Appeal Committee is authorized to consider grade changes to a “W” only when extenuating circumstances existed and prohibited the student from officially withdrawing from the course by the appropriate deadline. In no instance is the committee authorized to deal with grade changes which question the professional judgment by the faculty member of the student’s performance in the course. Petitions for a “W” may be submitted only until the end of the next major semester following the semester for which the petition is submitted. A major semester is defined as the Fall or Spring Semester.
Since information concerning procedures and dates for withdrawal is widely publicized, the Appeal Committee will not consider petitions from students who claim they “did not know” withdrawal procedures and dates. Documentation must accompany each petition, or the Committee will not consider the appeal. A separate form must be used for each course.
Academic Clemency
Students who perform poorly during their early years at college often drop out and return later in life to resume their education. However, their previous academic record may present a major obstacle to their overall GPA and their chances for success.
Arkansas Act 1000 of 1991 gives returning students an opportunity for a new undergraduate start without the handicap of their previous academic record. Students who desire to have their previously earned grades and credits removed from the calculation of their cumulative grade point average may apply for academic clemency according to the following guidelines:
1. Academic clemency may be granted to NWACC returning students who have not been enrolled in any institution of higher education for a period of three years prior to the term in which academic clemency is requested.
2. Returning students may petition for clemency following one term in which the student demonstrates the resolve to succeed academically by earning a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in six (6) or more credit hours of college level study.
3. Academic clemency may be granted for up to four (4) previous terms at NWACC where the semester GPA was below 2.0.
4. Academic clemency will cover all credits attempted during the term or terms for which it is granted.
5. The student’s transcript will contain the student’s entire academic record. Courses for which clemency is granted will be inscribed with the note Academic Clemency Granted (date).
6. Courses for which clemency is granted cannot be used in computing the grade point average, for meeting requirements for prerequisites, or for meeting graduation requirements.
7. Academic clemency does not affect the GPA calculation for the purpose of financial aid. All previous credit hours attempted will be counted toward a satisfactory GPA to receive grants, loans or scholarships.
8. Academic clemency may be used only one time by a student of NWACC.
9. Academic clemency is final and irreversible.
To initiate this procedure a student must state in writing the term or terms for which clemency is requested and complete an academic clemency petition form in the Student Records Office. An academic clemency appeals committee will review the student’s request and approve or deny the petition.
Honors
President’s List
Highest academic honors are conferred through the President’s List, an honor roll composed of distinguished students who have achieved a grade point average of 4.00 while enrolled for 12 or more semester hours. Students receive a letter of recognition signed by the President.
Dean’s List
Students completing 9 or more semester hours whose grade point average is 3.50 or above during the current semester will be placed on the Dean’s List for distinguished scholastic recognition. Students receive a letter of recognition signed by the Vice President for Learning.
Golden Eagle Award
Each month during the Fall and Spring academic semesters, an outstanding NWACC student is selected to receive the Golden Eagle Award. Students are nominated by instructors and are chosen by a Student Recognition Committee. A nominated student is considered on the basis of criteria which include demonstrated academic achievement, a 3.0 GPA or above, enrollment in a minimum of six semester hours, diverse interests and involvement in varied activities, interpersonal communication skills and commitment to education.
Trustees Scholarship
A student who is chosen for the Golden Eagle Award is given an opportunity to apply for a Board of Trustees Scholarship, a two-semester scholarship for $900.00 each semester. This scholarship is awarded in May of each year.
College Records and Transcripts
Official NWACC student transcripts and personal records are confidential information, which are in protective custody in the Student Records Office. Transcript information may be transmitted to another college or university upon the student’s signed request.
Records on Hold
If your records have been placed on hold for any reason you will not be allowed to do any of the following until the hold is removed.
1. Drop or add any class during the semester.
2. Enroll in courses in subsequent semesters.
3. Obtain a transcript.
4. Receive a diploma or certificate.
Contact the Student Records Office for more information. Appeals to this policy should be made to the Vice President for Learner Support Services.
Change of Address or Name
Students are expected to keep the Student Records Office and the Financial Aid Office (if receiving financial aid) informed of their current residence, mailing address and telephone number.
A student whose name is legally changed due to marriage or other reasons should notify the Student Records Office as quickly as possible.
Student Records & Confidentiality
A student attending NWCC has the right to inspect and review all records, which meet the definition of educational records. Student rights concerning access to educational records are defined in Public Law 98-380 as amended by Public Law 93-568.
Student records consist of all records maintained by the College about students, with these five exceptions:
1. Personal notes of NWACC faculty and staff.
2. Employment records.
3. Medical and counseling records used solely for treatment.
4. Financial records of parents.
5. Confidential letters and statements of recommendation for admission, employment or honorary recognition placed in students’ records after January 1, 1990, for which students waived the right to inspect and review.
If students wish to challenge information in their files, they must make a written request for a hearing to the Vice President for Learner Support Services. In most cases, the decision of the Vice President will be final. However, students may elect to file an appeal in writing to the President who will review the decision only if a significant question of policy or compliance with the law appears to be raised by the case.
The student’s prior written consent must be obtained before information may be disclosed to third parties unless they are exempted from this provision.
The exceptions include:
1. Releases to NWACC faculty and staff with a legitimate educational need to know.
2. Releases in accordance with a lawful subpoena or court order.
3. Releases to representatives of agencies or organizations from which financial aid has been received.
4. Releases to officials of other educational institutions in which the student intends to enroll.
5. Releases to others specifically exempted from the prior consent requirement (certain federal and state officials, organizations conducting studies on behalf of the college accrediting organizations).
6. Releases of directory information.
7. Releases to parents of a dependent student.
8. Releases in an emergency where the information is necessary to protect health or safety of the student or others.
The College receives many inquiries for directory information from a variety of sources, including friends, parents, relatives, prospective employers, graduate schools, honor societies, licensing agencies, government agencies and news media.
“Directory information is defined by each institution using guidelines established by FERPA. NorthWest Arkansas Community College has defined the following as directory information: student name, address, telephone number, previous institutions attended, major field of study, awards, honors, degrees conferred with dates, past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities. Institutions may disclose directory information on a student without the student’s prior consent unless the student has directed us not to release the information.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1232g(a)(5)(A)”.)
The law permits the College to use such information as a part of the student’s educational records and, under certain circumstances, to provide it to others, including the use of this information in the event of an emergency. However, directory information will not be used in a directory, in public releases, or be made available to the public if the student so elects.
Students must consider very carefully the consequences of any decision to prohibit the release of directory information.
Students not wishing the dissemination of directory information must notify the Student Records Office by completing a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information. Any future requests for such information from non-college persons or organizations will be refused until which time the student provides a written request to remove the “confidential” hold. NWACC assumes that the failure on the part of the student to request the withholding of directory information indicates approval for disclosure.
The College maintains all records in a confidential manner according to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. College information is maintained to protect the privacy of the individual at all times; however, it is the College’s position that, whatever the student’s dependency status, next of kin will be notified when he or she is seriously injured or ill.
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:
1) The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day NWACC receives a request for access.
Students should submit to the Registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The College official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the College official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the Registrar and clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. An appeal committee will review the request.
If the College decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the College will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
Documents or information will be disclosed without consent of disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the College discloses educational records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by NWACC to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Graduation
General Degree Requirements
The following general degree requirements apply to any degree granted by NorthWest Arkansas Community College:
1. Completion of at least 15 semester hours in residence at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. (Certain professional degree programs may have more specific and/or extensive residency requirements.)
2. Presentation of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 out of a possible 4.0 in all courses submitted for graduation. A student may repeat a course for credit as often as he/she wishes, but no course will be counted more than once for graduation.
3. Filing formal application for graduation for the fall, spring, or summer semesters.
4. Settlement of all financial obligations to satisfy the Business Office.
5. Participation in the Arkansas Assessment of General Education outcomes assessment in compliance with Arkansas Act 98 of 1989. (CAAP)
Graduation Audit
Graduation checks are completed by the Student Records Office one month prior to graduation. A student may present 62 or more semester hours of course work for degree credit. All degree requirements must be satisfied by the courses presented. The grade point average for graduation will then be computed on the basis of grades earned for those semester hours. A notation on the transcript will indicate that the GPA was computed on the basis of the hours presented and not on all hours completed.
Graduation degree audit GPAs reflect only courses on the student’s degree plan and completed at the end of the semester preceding the current semester. Cumulative GPAs include calculation of all course work taken at NWACC and are shown on the student’s transcript. The graduation GPA will most likely be different from the cumulative GPA because all course quality points (including developmental) are computed in the cumulative GPA which comes out on an official transcript. The graduation GPA does not appear on the transcript but is sent to the student through the postal service at the conclusion of the graduation audit.
CAAP Testing - A Graduation Requirement
The Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) is part of the Arkansas Assessment of General Education program established in 1993 to evaluate the quality of education in Arkansas. According to the state requirements, once a student has earned 60 credit hours he may not be allowed to register at an Arkansas college for additional credits until valid scores have been earned on all four CAAP tests. Once he takes CAAP at NWACC, the registrar puts “CAAP Test Taken” on his transcript. This notation allows the student to enroll in courses over the sixty credit hour limit and exempts him from having to take the test at the transfer institution. NWACC requires all its degree graduates to take the CAAP even if they don’t intend to transfer. These test scores can benefit both the student and NWACC. CAAP results can help the student understand the quality of her education and help NWACC understand the success of its programs and improve student learning.
Since CAAP is a set of standardized exams developed to test core general education skills, it is important to test students who have completed the core general education curriculum (math, reading, science, etc.). We assume students who have earned between 45 and 60 hours have completed these general education courses. NWACC students who are earning associate degrees should take this test the semester of graduation. Students intending on transferring without a degree should take the test after they have earned at least 45 hours at NWACC. Students who have already earned a degree are exempt from taking the test. Since students earning certificates do not take the core general education curriculum, they are also exempt from taking the exam.
Individuals seeking information regarding CAAP testing dates should visit the NWACC Testing Center or call (479) 619-4317.
Commencement
Although students may graduate three times during the school year - fall, summer, and spring, - NWACC holds only one commencement ceremony annually.
May commencement is an important tradition at NWACC because it allows the college community an opportunity to celebrate with the graduates and their families and to recognize publicly those graduates who have achieved a goal that not all adults achieve - a college degree. Therefore, participation in commencement is expected of all graduates. Those who face circumstances that will not allow them to attend commencement should request the Vice President for Learning to grant their degrees in absentia upon completion of all coursework.
Magna or Summa Cum Laude Designations
Degree-seeking students who have completed 24 hours or more with NWACC by the end of the semester preceding the commencement semester and have a 3.5 grade point average or higher are entitled to wear an honor cord during graduation. Students designated as Summa Cum Laude graduates will have a 4.0 GPA on 24 or more credit hours; Magna Cum Laude, a 3.5-3.9 GPA on 24 or more hours.
Certificate students will graduate “With Special Distinction” if they have earned all a 4.0 GPA and “With Distinction” if they have a 3.5 -3.9 GPA.
Student Right to Know: Graduation Rate
In 2002-2003, the completion or graduation rate for students who entered NorthWest Arkansas Community College in the fall of 1999 as first-time, full-time degree-seeking students was 19.4%. Out of this same cohort of students, 15.5% transferred to another Arkansas college or university and 17% were still attending NWACC in Spring 2003.
Current or prospective students interested in obtaining further information should contact the Vice President for Learner Support Services (Published in Compliance with the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act: Public Law 101-542, Sec. 103 et. Seq.)