Policies

In order to assist students in achieving their educational goals, each student is assigned an academic advisor. Advisors assist students with advising or degree program questions, goal setting, course registration, referral to campus resources, and other services designed to contribute to their academic experience. The Office of Student Records and Information Management ensures that students are assigned to a degree program advisor and coordinates new student advising and registration. The ultimate responsibility lies with the individual student to comply with all academic policies and to fulfill graduation requirements.

The following are processes and procedures for academic grievances and appeals. A student may grieve and appeal a grade, an academic policy decision, or academic dismissal. It is the intent of these provisions to guarantee fair procedure rather than to interfere with the prerogative of the faculty to evaluate the quality of a student’s course work.

If a student has a grievance concerning any grade, academic policy decision, or academic college dismissal, he or she first must meet with the instructor or decision maker to discuss the concern. This meeting must occur within 5 business days of notification of the grade, policy decision or academic dismissal. If dissatisfied with the outcome of the meeting, the student may appeal the grade or decision to a higher authority within 5 business days of the instructor’s or decision maker’s ruling. Faculty advisors and the Coordinator, Retention and Student Success may assist students by explaining the appeal process. Decision makers are expected to meet with the student within 5 business days and render a decision within 5 business days of the meeting.

If the instructor or decision maker is away during the specified timelines, the process will continue once the individual returns to the office. In rare situations, a designee may be appointed by the individual to resume the process during his/her absence.

Academic decisions rendered by the Provost shall be final and are not subject to further College review.

Unresolved complaints associated with consumer protection laws, including but not limited to allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity, can be elevated to the state level once the appeal process is concluded with the College. In such cases, students may contact the NC portal agency, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement North Carolina (SARA NC), and follow the agency’s complaint process. The SARA-NC-ComplaintForm.pdf (saranc.org) can be accessed on the college’s website. The contact information for SARA-NC is:

SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
T: 855-SARA-1-NC (727-2162)
Email: information@saranc.org
Website: www.saranc.org

Grade Decisions

1. A student with a grievance regarding a grade begins the process by requesting a meeting with the instructor within five (5) business days of receipt of the grade in question.
2. Within five (5) business days of receiving the meeting request, the instructor will meet with the student. Within five (5) business days of the meeting, the instructor will inform the student of their decision.
3. If not satisfied with the decision of the instructor, the student must submit the Academic Appeal Checklist to the Program Chair or Academic Dean of the instructor involved within five (5) business days of the instructor’s decision.
4. The Chair/Academic Dean must meet with the student within five (5) business days of receiving the student’s Academic Appeal Checklist. The Chair/Academic Dean (or designee if the Program Chair/Academic Dean is the instructor involved) will:
• Serve as a mediator and attempt to resolve the concern through mutual agreement.
• Review relevant documentation, meet with additional parties as appropriate, and provide a written decision within five (5) business days of receiving the student’s appeal.
• Obtain signatures on the Academic Appeal Checklist indicating that the decision has been rendered and received.
• Maintain all documentation related to the decision for a minimum of 5 years.
5. If either party (student or instructor) disagrees with the decision of the Chair/Academic Dean, he or she may request that the Provost review the decision. This request must be received in writing no later than five (5) business days after the date of the Chair’s/Academic Dean’s or designee’s written decision. The Provost will:
• Request all relevant documentation and may meet with the parties concerned.
• Provide his/her decision in writing within five (5) business days of receiving the appeal.
• Obtain signatures on the Academic Appeal Checklist indicating that the decision has been rendered and received.
• Notify the faculty member, Program Chair/Academic Dean, and the student’s academic advisor of the decision.
• Maintain all documentation related to the decision for a minimum of 5 years.

Academic Policy Decisions

1. A student with a grievance concerning the administration of academic policy including but not limited to transfer credit evaluation, leave of absence, course withdrawal, or program dismissal begins the process by requesting a meeting with the relevant decision maker within five (5) business days of the incident.
2. The faculty or staff member will meet with the student to discuss the grievance within five (5) business days of receiving the meeting request. The faculty or staff member will provide a decision in writing within five (5) business days after meeting with the student.
3. If satisfactory resolution is not achieved at this meeting, within five (5) business days the student must submit the Academic Appeal Checklist to the appropriate supervisor (Dean or Provost) depending upon the policy under review. The Coordinator, Advising and Student Success can assist the student in identifying which College official to whom the Checklist should be submitted.
4. The supervisor will meet with the student to discuss the appeal within five (5) business days of receiving the Academic Appeal Checklist. Within five (5) business days of meeting with the student, the supervisor will:
• Review relevant documentation, meet with additional parties as appropriate, and provide a written decision to the student.
• obtain signatures on the Academic Appeal Checklist indicating that the decision has been rendered and received.
• forward a copy of the decision to the Academic Advisor and Program Chair.
• maintain all documentation related to the decision for a minimum of 5 years.
5. The student has a right to appeal to the level of the Provost following the aforementioned process and timelines.

Academic College Dismissals

1. The student must submit a written letter and the Academic Appeal Checklist to the Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management within five (5) business days of the dismissal letter date.  The letter should include:
   • documentation of extenuating circumstances
   • a reflection of the circumstances that resulted in the dismissal
   • a plan of action to avoid similar situations in the future
2. The Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management will:
   • review all relevant documentation and may meet with the parties concerned. 
   • inform the student in writing of his/her decision within five (5) business days of receipt of the letter. 
   • obtain signatures on the Academic Appeal Checklist indicating that the decision has been rendered and received.
   • forward a copy of the decision to the Academic Advisor and Program Chair.
3. If satisfactory resolution is not achieved, the student may request a review by the Provost within five (5) business days of the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Associate Dean’s decision. The Provost will review all relevant documentation and may meet with the parties concerned. 
4. The Provost will inform the student in writing of the decision within five (5) business days of receiving the appeal request.  A copy will be forwarded to the Academic Advisor and Program Chair.

Academic decisions rendered by the Dean or Provost shall be final and are not subject to further College review.

Unresolved complaints associated with consumer protection laws, including but not limited to allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity, can be elevated to the state level once the appeal process is concluded with the College.  In such cases, students may contact the NC portal agency, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement North Carolina (SARA NC), and follow the agency’s complaint process. The SARA-NC-ComplaintForm.pdf (saranc.org) can be accessed on the college’s website.  

The contact information for SARA-NC is:
SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
PO Box 14103
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
T: 855-SARA-1-NC (727-2162)
Email:  information@saranc.org
Website: www.saranc.org

Click here to access the Grievance/Academic Appeal Checklist.

Students may be enrolled on either a full-time or part-time basis. A graduate student enrolled in nine (9) or more semester hours is considered to be a full-time student. All other graduate students are considered part-time. An undergraduate student who is enrolled in twelve (12) or more semester hours is considered to be a full-time student. All other undergraduate students are considered part-time. Sixteen (16) credit hours are considered a maximum academic load for graduate students and eighteen (18) credit hours are considered a maximum load for undergraduate students. Special permission must be obtained from the College administration to exceed these limits.

Any graduate student with a cumulative GPA of 2.99 or lower or any undergraduate student with a cumulative GPA of 1.99 or lower at the end of any semester will be placed on academic probation. "Academic Probation" will appear on the official transcript. (NOTE: Academic Probation may include stipulations, remediation, and a redesigning of the student's curriculum plan). The Provost or designee will send a letter alerting the student to his/her probationary status. Students on Academic Probation are required to meet with the Coordinator for Advising and Student Success to develop an Academic Improvement Plan, prior to registration for the following term. A student who is on academic probation has two (2) semesters, which may include summer sessions depending on the program, to achieve minimum cumulative GPA standards (3.00 graduate; 2.00 undergraduate) or to meet program specific academic progression requirements.

If an undergraduate student has fewer than 12 cumulative credit hours, the student will have an additional semester (or three total consecutively enrolled semesters) to increase both the credit hours to 12 and the cumulative GPA in order to be removed from academic probation. Graduate students must be enrolled as defined by credit hours or program requirements during the subsequent term. At the end of the subsequent term, the graduate student must increase his/her cumulative GPA to the minimum requirement or above, in order to be removed from academic probation. Students should inquire if the restriction of probation will have any financial aid consequences for their particular case, by consulting with the office of Financial Aid.

Being placed on academic probation in and of itself is not subject to appeal.

Failure to meet the probationary requirements as described above will result in academic dismissal.

Students who fail to adhere to the following may also be dismissed from the college:

• Default of financial obligations to the College.
• Violation of discriminatory practices including harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, or on any other basis prohibited by law.
• Weapons concealed or otherwise, are not permitted on the campus of Cabarrus College or any affiliates.
• Failure to notify Cabarrus College in the event of a criminal charge, conviction, or sanction listed.
• Failure to adhere to the student code of conduct and uphold the College values of caring, commitment, teamwork, and integrity.
• Violation of Tobacco Free Campus policy.

Graduate Programs

All graduate students must:

• Register and enroll in course work every fall and spring semester (summer sessions are required for some degree programs) until program completion.
• Meet and maintain current health and orientation requirements as specified by the College and clinical agencies.
• Satisfactorily complete all prerequisite courses before enrolling in subsequent courses.
• Earn at least a score of 80 as a final grade in each major course in order to enroll in the subsequent major course(s) or to graduate.
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of "B" (3.0) or higher.
• Complete Level II Fieldwork within 24 months of the required academic coursework if enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program.

Undergraduate Programs

All undergraduate students must:

• Register and enroll in course work every fall and spring semester (and required summer sessions for some degree programs) until program completion.
• Meet and maintain current health and orientation requirements as specified by the College and clinical agencies.
• Maintain a current, unrestricted license or certification as required for program enrollment.
• Satisfactorily complete all prerequisite courses before enrolling in subsequent courses.
• Earn at least a score of 80 as a final grade in each major course in order to enroll in the subsequent major course(s) or to graduate.
• Earn a minimum score of 70 as a final grade in each of the non-major courses in order to progress.
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of "C" (2.0) or higher in baccalaureate programs, except in Interdisciplinary Health Studies wherein a student must graduate with a cumulative grade point average of "B" (3.0) or higher to progress into the Master of Occupational Therapy program.
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in associate degree and diploma programs at the end of the first academic year or the equivalent (minimum 24 credit hours).
• Complete Level II Fieldwork within one year of the required academic coursework if enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Education records are kept by College offices to facilitate the educational development of students. Faculty and staff members may also keep informal records relating to their functional responsibilities with individual students.

A federal law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, also known as the Buckley Amendment, affords students certain rights concerning their education records. Students have the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from their records. Educational institutions have the responsibility to prevent improper disclosure of personally identifiable information from the records.

Student and Parent Rights Relating To Education Records

Students have the right to know about the purposes, content, and location of information kept as part of their education records. They have the right to gain access to and challenge the content of their education records. FERPA was not intended to provide a process to be used to question substantive judgments that are correctly recorded. The right of challenge is not intended to allow students to contest, for example, a grade in a course because they felt a higher grade should have been assigned. Students also have the right to expect that information in their education records will be kept confidential, disclosed only with their permission or under provisions of the law.

FERPA considers all students independent which limits the education record information that may be released to parents, without the student's specific written permission, to directory information. Parents have the right, under certain conditions, to gain access to information in the student's education records. Parents who claimed the student as a dependent on their most recent IRS 1040 are permitted access to the student's education records.

Directory Information

Some information about students is considered directory information. Directory information may be publically shared by the institution unless the student has taken formal action to restrict its release. Directory information includes:

• Name
• Address (excludes e-mail)
• Phone number
• Program of study
• Participation in officially recognized activities
• Most recent educational institution attended
• Date of attendance
• Degrees and awards received (including dates)
• Enrollment status (full/part-time)
• Class level
• Date of birth

Students may elect to suppress their Directory Information by going to the Office of Student Records and Information Management. The student will be required to complete and sign the "Suppression of Directory Information Request Form" officially requesting the suppression of their respective Directory Information. The College assumes that the student does not object to the release of the Directory Information unless the student files the official Suppression of Directory Information Request Form.

Cabarrus College's policy statement implementing FERPA is maintained by, and available for review in the Office of the Dean, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Students should address questions, concerns, or problems to the Dean's office. Students may file complaints regarding alleged failure of the College to comply with FERPA with:

The Family Policy Compliance Office
US Department of Education
600 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Phone: 202-260-3887
FAX: 202-260-9001.

A student may be permitted to attend and participate in a course for self-enrichment but not for academic credit. This enrollment must be documented in the Student Information System. Permission from the course instructor or program chair is required for a student to audit a course.

Applications for change of major can be made at any time.  Requests received by the published application deadlines (see academic calendar) for each semester are guaranteed for consideration and decision prior to course registration for the following semester. Applications for change of major are considered on a competitive basis. Criteria for change of major requests include: meeting any minimum standardized test score requirements; academic history (high school and college); grades in science and math courses; and grades in courses enrolled in at Cabarrus College, especially science and math courses. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they meet all program admissions criteria.

If a change of major is desired, students should complete the Change of Major request form and meet with their current advisor to submit the form and discuss eligibility. Student requests for change of major will be reviewed and decided upon by the appropriate academic Program Chair.

Admission into one program does not guarantee admission into another program. A change of major acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of currently enrolled coursework, continued good academic standing at Cabarrus College, and fulfillment of any additional program specific requirements. Once accepted into a new program, students must meet with the new program advisor prior to registration and meet any additional admission requirements prior to the first day of enrollment. If a student chooses not to accept the new program offer, he/she should immediately inform the Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

It is the responsibility of all students to notify the College immediately upon a change of name, address, or telephone number. The preferred method to change data is for the student to utilize the SONISWEB System. The College is not responsible for any correspondence the student may miss due to the student's failure to notify the College of such. Legal documentation is required to change a name.

Grading Scale

A = 93 - 100
A- = 90 - 92
B+ = 87 - 89
B = 83 - 86
B- = 80 - 82
C+ = 77 - 79
C = 73 - 76
C- = 70 - 72
D+ = 67 - 69
D = 63 - 66
D- = 60 - 62
F = less than 60

Recorded numerical grades will be rounded to the next whole number; however, this will not be done until the end of the term, when the final average is calculated. If a grade is five tenths or greater, it will be rounded to the next whole number.

Other Designations

AU = Audit/No Credit

This is noted when a student has been permitted to attend and participate in a course for self-enrichment but not for academic credit.

I = Incomplete

This is a temporary grade assigned at the discretion of the instructor when a student who is otherwise completing the course satisfactorily has not, due to various circumstances, completed all the work in the course. The "I" must be removed within a period of time specified by the course instructor, generally no later than the beginning of final examinations of the following semester (not including summer). If the missing coursework or clinical hours are not completed by the specified deadline, the grade of "I" will be changed to a grade of "F" by the instructor. Neither grade points nor credit hours will be awarded for a grade of "I."

U = Unsatisfactory

Clinicals, fieldwork, and labs may be offered as one component of an overall course or as a separate stand-alone course. If a student receives a U for a laboratory/clinical/fieldwork component of a course, then a grade of "F" will be recorded for the entire course.

WP = Withdrawal Passing

This notation shall demonstrate that the student was satisfactorily passing the course at the time he/she completed the withdrawal process.

WF = Withdrawal Failing

This indicates that the student had a failing grade as of the last date of class attended prior to withdrawal/dismissal.

At the end of each academic session, students can view their official semester grade reports online using Sonis.

Credit by departmental examination is available to students who have had experiences (e.g., employment, course work) that do not warrant transfer credit or advanced placement for a course, but indicate a probable proficiency in the area of study as determined by the program chair. Eligible courses vary by the program.

To challenge a course by departmental examination, the student must complete the Credit by Examination Application and Authorization form and complete the following requirements:

• Provide acceptable evidence of proficiency in the area (e.g., relevant course descriptions, course work, certificates, letters of recommendation from employers, a recent resume).
• Pay a nonrefundable challenge fee no later than one week prior to the exam date.

A course must be challenged before the course begins. A grade of "80" or better is required to receive credit for the course. A student must register for the course during the registration period and attend class until notification of exam results.

The challenge exam for courses involving laboratory and clinical experiences contains separate exams for both components of the course. The student must pass both components with a grade of "80" to receive credit for the course. The letters "CE" (Credit by Exam) will be recorded on the transcript to indicate the examination was passed. Upon successful completion of the challenge exam, the non-refundable fee is applied to the next session's tuition.

Hours earned through credit by examination will not be counted in determining hours for full time status. The student is allowed only one challenge exam attempt per eligible course. A student may not pursue credit by examination for a course in which they had previously earned a "D" or "F".

Experiential Learning is the mastery of course content and/or student learning outcomes gained through applicable work experience or specialized training. These experiences are obtained outside of a formal academic setting. Learning experiences must occur within five years of the current application date. A request for credit for experiential learning should be made four weeks in advance of the specific course offering.

Students requesting credit for experiential learning must first meet all requirements for admission and enrollment and submit the following items to the Office of Student Records and Information Management:

• Credit for Life Experience Application (available on Cabarrus College website) and portfolio.
• Letter explaining the life experience.
• Current resume.
• At least two letters of reference related to life or work experience within the discipline.
• Relevant licenses or certifications.
• Non-refundable processing fee.

A degree audit is a computer-generated analysis that enables the student and his/her advisor to assess the student's academic progress and unfulfilled requirements. The audit is a valuable tool for academic planning and course selection, because it matches the courses that the student has taken with the requirements of his/her program or anticipated program. Degree audits are available through SonisWeb for anyone who has enrolled for credit at Cabarrus College.

The degree audit is not the student's official College academic record. The transcript is the official record of completed work.

Students may drop or add a course at any time during the registration period, but not beyond the published last day to drop a course in the academic calendar by logging into Sonis. Students may withdraw from a course at any time during the semester prior to the 80% completion point within the semester.

The procedure and consequences vary and are outlined below. If the student drops a course by the published deadline, the student is considered never enrolled and the course will not be listed on an official transcript.

After the published deadline, a student must withdraw from the course and the course will appear on their transcript with a grade as outlined below:

• The last day to withdraw from a course without academic penalty is at 80% of the course. The date will be published in the College calendar and the catalog. A student who desires to withdraws from a course before this date will receive a “W” if passing and a “WF” if failing.
• Should a student stop attending a course at any time without officially dropping the course, the student is considered enrolled and will receive the grade earned in the course and is responsible for the full tuition.

Students must use the Withdrawal Form (see “Forms” on the Cabarrus College website) to withdraw from a course after the Drop/Add period. The Withdrawal Form applies anytime the student withdraws from the course.

Licensed practical nurses seeking extra-institutional credit for their license must meet the College's general admission criteria as well as admission criteria for the ADN program with the exception of the NA I requirement which will be waived. In addition, they must:

• Present a current, unrestricted, North Carolina license to practice as a practical nurse.
• present an official transcript from an approved practical nursing education program.
• present two references indicating acceptable character, one of which must be from a current employer, which should include a detailed description of duties.

Upon admission to the ADN program, the LPN who scores 70 or above on the NACEI Foundations of Nursing exam will receive extra-institutional credit for BIO 100 (Medical Terminology), NSG 101 (Introduction to Professional Nursing), and NSG 111 (Foundations in Nursing – Health Promotions). Call 704-403-1556 to schedule the exam and receive information regarding exam costs. The LPN will be required to complete the general education courses or equivalents that are prerequisite to NSG 121 (Foundations in Nursing – Chronic Conditions).

Each student must submit the following forms to the Office of Student Records and Information Management:

• Intent to Graduate – completed the semester prior to graduation. Refer to the current Academic Calendar for due date.
• Graduation Clearance – students complete no later than two weeks prior to the end of their last semester.

Each student must meet the following:

• Graduate students must complete a minimum of one-third of the total credit hours needed for graduation at Cabarrus College.
• Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 25% of the total credit hours needed for graduation at Cabarrus College. The minimum must include at least 50% of the credit hours in the major with the exception of a diploma to associate degree program in which students must complete a minimum of 25% of the total credit hours.
• All financial obligations of the College.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 for graduate students and 2.00 for undergraduate students.
• Meet all requirements of the curriculum in which the student is enrolled.

Students who are scheduled to complete all program requirements no later than the last day of the summer session following spring commencement may participate in the commencement ceremony, with advisor certification. Students scheduled to complete degree requirements after the above timeframes, must wait until the next scheduled commencement ceremony. Students must submit all necessary paperwork for graduation (see above) by the stated deadline in order to participate.  

The calculation of graduation rates below are listed as the percentage of diploma/degree-seeking undergraduate students in a particular year (entering cohort) completing their program on time (150%).

Diploma Programs: Fall

Associate Degree Programs: Fall

Bachelor Degree Programs: Fall

Master Degree Programs: Fall

When a student needs extra time to complete student learning outcomes because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, the instructor may give a grade of “I” (Incomplete) as a temporary grade. An “I” is not to be given to a student already doing failing work. The student who receives an “I” grade must complete the work no later than the beginning of final examinations of the following semester, earlier if possible. The instructor may request an extension in unusual circumstances by obtaining, completing (including all signatures) and submitting the necessary form to the Office of Student Records and Information Management. If the previous conditions are not met, the Incomplete grade is automatically converted to an “F” grade.

Campus users are reminded that Federal copyright laws (34 CFR 668.43(a)(10)(ii)) apply to many forms of intellectual property including copyrighted music and videos. Cabarrus College users are prohibited from distributing copyrighted materials through illegal downloading or peer-to-peer distribution of intellectual property. The College encourages the legitimate downloading of copyrighted material through recognized channels such as Amazon.com, iTunes, and other known repositories. Lists of legal download sources are provided by EDUCAUSE, the Recording Industry Association of America, and the Motion Picture Association of America.

Instances of violations are subject to College policies (08-06 Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Actions) where violators may face disciplinary action leading up to or including probation, suspension, or dismissal and Federal Laws as described below.

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or "statutory" damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For "willful" infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys' fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.

Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.

For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office, especially the FAQs.

A student may enroll in a course a maximum of two (2) times (this includes courses attempted and/or completed). A student may repeat a maximum of two (2) major courses per admission, except in associate degree nursing wherein students may repeat a maximum of one (1) nursing major course per admission. For more information on Prelicensure Nursing Program’s course repeat policy, please refer to the Catalog section on “Selection of Prelicensure Nursing  Students Requesting to Repeat Major Courses”. 

There are no restrictions on the number of general education courses that can be repeated. The second enrollment will be on a space available basis at the time of registration. Only the grade obtained on repeating the course will be used in determining GPA and is considered the final grade; however, both courses and grades will appear on the transcript. Final course grades are included in the calculation of the GPA for honors at graduation. This applies only to the courses taken and repeated at this institution.

Students are expected to adhere to the student code of conduct and uphold the College values of caring, commitment, teamwork, and integrity. If at any time it is the judgment of the faculty, staff, or administration that a student has failed to meet the behavioral expectations of the College, the student may face disciplinary action leading up to or including probation, suspension, or dismissal. The full policy can be located in the Student Handbook and online.

Discrimination, Harassment, Assault, Retaliation, Sexual Misconduct and Workplace Violence

Official copies of transcripts and other academic record components are released to designated institutions and or individuals upon completion of the Transcript and Educational Records Request form by the student or former student.  A fee is charged for each copy according to the published schedule.

Once submitted, pre-enrollment and enrollment documents/records, including academic records from other institutions become the property of the College and are not released.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is considered for courses which meet the following criteria:

• Courses must have the same semester hour (or equivalent quarter hour) credit.
• Courses must be documented on an official transcript and have a minimum grade of "C".
• Courses must be from a school that is accredited by a recognized accrediting body or if not, will be subject to departmental approval.
• Courses must have the equivalent content as determined by catalog course description or evaluation by the Director of Student Records and Information Management and departmental faculty. Time limitations may restrict the transfer of some courses into the College if it is determined that course material is outdated. Computer technology courses over four years old and physical and biological science courses over five years old are not considered for transfer credit. If courses fall outside the timeframe, credit may be received by examination or on a case-by-case basis as a result of current experience in the discipline.
• Transfer credit will be considered for international courses/degrees and for military services schools provided that the student utilizes an acceptable professional organization (e.g., American Council Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, World Education Services (WES), or any NACES approved evaluator, for evaluation of/conversion to college credits.
• Humanities transfer credit is limited to the type of humanities courses offered at Cabarrus College which include but are not limited to World Literature I, Music Appreciation, Art, World Religions, and Introduction to Hispanic Culture and Language for the Healthcare Professional. All courses that are approved for the HUM ELECT transfer credit must contain a cultural and historical/human element in the course description (or in the course objectives or syllabi) or be specified in a signed articulation agreement.

Applicants requesting transfer credit for courses in the major may also be asked to submit the following:

• Course description and/or course syllabus if the course has not previously been deemed "transferable" by departmental faculty evaluation.
• Results of pre-entrance tests/achievement tests given at previous institution.
• Progress evaluation by a program official of the previous institution and statement of reason for transfer.

Grades in courses being transferred are not utilized in the calculation of GPA.

All transfer credits must be finalized with the Office of Student Records and Information Management by the end of the first semester of enrollment. After the tuition deposit has been paid, the Office of Student Records and Information Management will review and award approved transfer credits prior to the first day of registration. Students are encouraged to compare their program curriculum plan to their degree audit to confirm transfer credit awarded and the courses in which to register.

Graduate students receiving transfer credit must meet all admission requirements or approved equivalents and must complete a minimum of one-third of the total credit hours needed for graduation at Cabarrus College. Undergraduate students receiving transfer credit must meet all admission requirements or approved equivalents and must complete a minimum of 25% of the total credit hours needed for graduation at Cabarrus College. The minimum must include at least 50% of the credit hours in the major completed in residency at Cabarrus College; with the exception of a diploma to associate degree completion program in which students must complete a minimum of 25% of the total credit hours.

Once a student is enrolled at Cabarrus College, additional transfer credit will be awarded only if approval from the Office of Students Records and Information Management and Provost is obtained prior to dual enrollment in another college.

Block Transfer Credit into Baccalaureate Programs

Allied Health and Nursing Students applying to baccalaureate completion programs at Cabarrus College may receive block credit for a previously earned professional diploma or degree. Block transfer is a process in which a block of credits is granted to students who have completed a certificate, diploma, degree or some cluster of courses that is recognized as having an academic integrity that relates to a particular degree program. The College generally grants up to two full years toward a four year degree program, with no additional requirements so that students attending full time should be able to graduate in a total of four years.

Block credit will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• The transferring program must be accredited by the national body responsible for accreditation in that particular discipline.
• The Program Chair for the baccalaureate degree program will evaluate the curriculum based on the accreditation essentials for the discipline and recommend to the Office of Student Records and Information Management the amount of credit to be granted in the block.
• The Office of Student Records and Information Management will review the recommendation and award the credit deemed appropriate but not to exceed the following:

All transfer credit will be approved by the Office of Student Records and Information Management according to established guidelines.

Faxed transcripts are considered unofficial and may be used as working documents ONLY. Official transcripts are necessary before enrollment.

College Board Advanced Placement (AP) and CLEP Exams

A student may earn credit for general education courses by attaining acceptable scores (4 or 5) on the Advanced Placement Program (AP exam) of the College Entrance Examinations Board (CEEB) or a credit granting score of 50 or better on College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject exam of the College Board. Credit by examination appears on the student's transcript but is not included in the calculation of GPA.

Cabarrus College provides a formal system that guides the College and the student through the voluntary and involuntary withdrawal processes. Withdrawal from a course or the College may be voluntary (requested) or involuntary (dismissal).

From a Course

Voluntary Withdrawal

Students may self-elect to withdraw from a course at any time during the semester prior to the 80% completion point in the course. The last day to withdraw from a course varies depending on the length of the course. The date will be clearly indicated on the master calendar in the college’s catalog. If a student elects to withdraw from a course prior to the 80% completion point, they will receive a “W” if passing and a “WF” if failing (less than 60).

Involuntary Withdrawal

Students are expected to actively engage in their courses by attending each class, lab, or clinical meetings and by completing all assigned learning activities (daily assignments, quizzes, papers, problem-sets, etc.). Failure to routinely complete assignments or attend class per syllabus requirements may place students in jeopardy of being administratively withdrawn. Although attendance taking is not required by the College, course faculty maintain the right to administratively withdraw a student from their respective course(s) for failure to comply with academic requirements including, but not limited to:

• Failure to attend classes for a consecutive time period (for instance, missing 12.5% of the course which equates to 6 consecutive hours in a 3 credit hour course).
• Missing an excessive amount of scheduled class time (for instance, 25% of the course which equates to missing a total of 12 non-consecutive hours in a 3 credit hour course.
• Failure to maintain an online presence as expected for the course.

Students administratively withdrawn after the 80% completion point will be assigned a failing grade. The official determination date and the official withdrawal date is the date the College initiates the withdrawal process.

Voluntary or involuntary course withdrawals may affect a student’s financial aid awards.

From the College

Leave of Absence

The College requires that all degree-seeking students enroll in course work every fall and spring semester during their academic career. Some degree programs may require summer enrollment. If a student’s academic plans must be discontinued, the student must choose one of two options: a Curriculum Leave of Absence (CLOA) or Withdrawal from the College. A Student’s academic advisor can help students decide the more appropriate course of action for their situation.

Failure to formally request a CLOA or withdrawal will result in the automatic removal from the official roll via an Administrative/Involuntary Withdrawal, and the student must re-apply through the Admissions Office for reinstatement of degree status.

A CLOA releases the student from degree study for up to one academic year, after which the student may resume study according to regular registration procedures. The student must complete and submit the official request for CLOA on the Student Withdrawal Form, the required non-refundable fee, (which does not guarantee placement, but simply keeps the student’s academic record active, and is applied to the tuition when the student returns) and return the name badge to the college. The request must be approved by a College official and re-enrollment is on a space available basis. The student is required to meet the curriculum requirements of the class in which the student is to re-enroll. Individuals returning from a CLOA will pay tuition according to the current tuition and fee schedule.

At the end of one year on CLOA, the student must re-enroll or withdraw from the College at which point the CLOA fee will be forfeited. A CLOA is treated the same as a withdrawal for financial aid purposes. Students returning from a CLOA must follow the enrollment requirements of new students listed in the admission to the college section of this catalog. This includes but is not limited to an updated background check and drug screen.

Withdrawal (Voluntary)

A student withdrawal from the College is appropriate if the student wishes to discontinue study at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences for the foreseeable future. This officially closes the student’s file and serves as notice that the student initiated separation from the College. Failure to withdraw officially can seriously complicate any effort to resume study at this or another institution.

If a student wishes to withdraw voluntarily from the College, he/she should obtain the Withdrawal Form from the college website and complete all parts of the form, and return the completed form to the Office of Student Records and Information Management. For a Withdrawal or CLOA to be finalized, the student’s completed Withdrawal Form must be filed in the Office of Student Records and Information Management. The date the student signs the Withdrawal Form is the official date of withdrawal.

When a request is submitted prior to the last date for withdrawal (as determined by the Provost and published in the academic calendar) a grade of W is recorded for all courses in which the student is currently enrolled. If the request is submitted after the deadline for withdrawal only extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Appeals Process, justify the granting of W grades. Requests for leaves of absence and student withdrawals are processed through the Office of Student Records and Information Management.

Withdrawal (Involuntary)

Involuntary withdrawal occurs when a student fails to meet certain standards to remain in the College. If at any time it is the judgment of the faculty, staff, and/or administration that a student has failed to meet the academic, behavioral or health policies of the College, the student may be academically dismissed and will not be eligible for tuition refunds.

Failure to register for subsequent semesters or submit a Withdrawal Form will result in an Administrative/Involuntary Withdrawal from the College.