2002-2004 Catalog - St. Charles Community College

Academic & College PoliciesStudents are responsible for keepingthemselves informed on the policiesthat govern educational studies atSt. Charles Community College. In thissection you will find answers to your questionsabout earning credits, course loads, graduation,academic progress, and other concerns.Feel free to seek advice and assistance fromcounselors, administrators, and other staff as youfamiliarize yourself with SCC policies. You can findout where to direct any further questions by checkingthe information directory in the current creditclass schedule.UNIT OF CREDITA semester hour (credit hour) is the unit ofcredit usually earned by attending a non-laboratoryclass for at least 50 minutes a week per semester. Aclass that meets three times a week is usually considereda 3-semester-hour course. In laboratorycourses, one semester hour of credit is granted fortwo or three hours of laboratory per week.PLANNINGPROGRAMS OF STUDYStudents often have an idea of their areas ofeducational interest. Some only wish to take a fewcourses related to their jobs or for personal enjoyment.Although St. Charles Community College recognizesthat the first responsibility for selection ofprograms of study rests with the student, the collegeprovides career and financial assistance counselingas well as academic advisement and orientationto general college services and opportunities.The contact for students who want help in planningprograms of study is the Student DevelopmentOffice. If you are concerned about transfer of creditto SCC, you should contact the registrar.ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENTSt. Charles Community College expects studentsto exhibit certain academic skills and competenciesbefore they take college-level courses.• Students may be required to take assessmenttests for placement and to predictreadiness for college-level courses.• You may be required to enroll in appropriatedevelopmental courses before beingallowed to take college-level courses.• Students who test into three developmentalcourses must take the Student SuccessSemester. You will only be able to registerfor developmental courses or courses froman approved list available from the academiccounseling staff.• Students testing into ENG 095, RDG 092 orbelow, and/or MAT 095 must enroll in thedevelopmental courses for the deficient areathat semester.• You could be advised to withdraw from acollege-level course and take assessmenttests if the instructor believes you lack necessaryskills to continue. The student withan identified deficiency may then enter arecommended remedial or developmentalcourse to address the deficiency.All first-time entering freshmen are encouragedto take the ACT test and forward their scores to theAdmissions Office. ACT test scores will be primarilyused for institutional research, academic advising,course placement, and outcomes measurementpurposes. ACT scores may be required beforeadmission to specific degree programs.Students enrolled in selected Allied Healthprograms are required to submit ACT scoresbefore admission.97