Semester Hour   [ top ]
A semester hour is a unit of credit earned for attending and successfully completing a course during a given semester. A class that awards 3 semester hours represents 150 minutes of instructional time per week for 15 weeks with the expectation of at least two hours of additional work or the equivalent. Laboratory courses may carry additional credit hours, usually at the rate of one credit per two hour lab. Sixty or more semester hours (but not more than 70) are required for graduation from degree programs depending on the curriculum in which a student is enrolled. Certificate programs may require fewer semester hours.

Student Status
- Freshmen are students who have completed fewer than thirty credits. Sophomores are students who have completed thirty or more credits.
- Full-time students are those registered for at least twelve credits per semester.
- Part-time students are those who register for fewer than twelve credits per semester.
- Matriculating students are those who have been formally accepted in a program.
- Non-degree students are those who are not in any academic program. A special student who is part time registers for courses on a space-available basis.

Change of Program   [ top ]
A student wishing to change one program for another must make an appointment with a Counselor in the Advisement & Counseling Center (508) 588-9100, ext. 1461on the Brockton Campus or (617) 821-2222, ext. 2117 on the Canton Campus, who will advise the student and answer questions regarding transferability of courses from the current to the new program. After completing a Change of Program form, the student returns the form to the Admissions Office for review and final decisions. Students who change and are accepted into new programs before October 15th (Fall semester) and March 15th (Spring semester) may apply the change to the current semester. Changes made after October 15th will apply the change to the upcoming Spring semester. Changes made after March 15th will apply to the upcoming Fall semester. NOTE: Students should be aware that changes in course and program requirements that take effect in the upcoming Fall semester will apply if the student changes programs after March 15th.

Modification of a Program
A student desiring to modify any program or vary from the stated academic policies should file the appropriate appeal with the Registrar's Office. Appeal forms are available at the Registrar's Office.

Special Studies
The intent of special studies is to provide: (1) an alternative method for completing catalog courses (Directed Study); and (2) an opportunity to explore subject matter not presently offered (Independent Study). Students wishing to take special studies must fill out the appropriate form with a faculty member who is willing to guide their studies. Limited to 2 courses per student (not including LATCH semester). Prerequisite: Approval of the Department and Assistant/Associate Dean.

Honors Program   [ top ]
An Honors course is any course of the College which is taught in an Honors format. This format involves a seminar style of teaching and learning, a high degree of student involvement in both class discussion and the presentation of reports, and ongoing consultations between student and instructor. Students admitted to a course on an Honors basis are usually recommended by one instructor of the department and, as a condition for entry, are interviewed by the instructor of the Honors course itself. Students may be asked to read course materials or texts before the first class of the course. Each course taken in an Honors format is so noted on the student's transcript.

Green Key
Green Key is an honorary activities society, established in 1968, designed to recognize the contributions made by students in the College and the wider community and to encourage involvement and participation in the life of the College. Although selection is primarily based on leadership, participation and unselfish contributions of one’s time, energy and ability, the student must also be making satisfactory progress in his or her academic pursuits. Membership in this organization represents the highest honor the College can bestow for outstanding leadership in both the College and the community.

SACHEM   [ top ]
Massasoit Community College is a fully participating member of the Southeastern Association for Cooperation in Higher Education in Massachusetts (SACHEM), a consortium of nine institutions of higher education in Southeastern Massachusetts whose purpose is to provide extended educational opportunities through cooperative programs and projects in a variety of educational and cultural endeavors. Of particular interest to students is the opportunity to enroll in selected courses at other SACHEM institutions at no additional cost.

The schools included in this consortium are:
Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater
Bristol Community College, Fall River
Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable
Dean Junior College, Franklin Massachusetts
Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay
Massasoit Community College, Brockton
Stonehill College, North Easton
University of Massachusetts, North Dartmouth
Wheaton College, Norton

Details of the "cross-registration'' program for those who are interested may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Internships   [ top ]
Qualified students in selected areas may, with approval, receive college credit for experiential learning situations in a chosen subject or career area. The student internship experience allows the student to apply the theoretical skills learned in the classroom to actual on-site job situations. Internship opportunities currently exist within the Child Care Education, Computer Information Systems, Human Services, Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Secretarial, Phlebotomy, Liberal Arts Transfer General and Art and Graphic Design programs. Students wishing to participate in internship study may obtain information from the Department Chairperson of their major department.

Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for Prior Learning is a procedure through which students may, with the approval of the College, receive academic credit for certain life
and work experiences. This procedure calls for the interested student to petition the Office for Prior Learning in the Division of Faculty and Instruction. College credit will be awarded to qualified students through a process of assessment and documentation arranged through consultation between the CPL Office and appropriate faculty.

Students must pay for the assessment and any credit awarded. Students will not be permitted to apply for Part II of any skill oriented, sequential course until credit has been granted for Part I, e.g. typing, word processing, shorthand, etc. Call (508)588-9100 x 1901. The Board of Higher Education has established new guidelines for Criminal Justice programs that were implemented as of January 2, 2004 stating that Criminal Justice students are not eligible for Credit for Prior Learning.

The tuition and fees are not refundable regardless of success or failure in the evaluation process.
For more information call ext.1901

CLEP [top]
CLEP (College Level Examination Program) is a series of examinations designed to measure knowledge acquired through non-traditional methods of study. If students have any questions about CLEP credit, they should refer them to the Registrar or a Counselor. CLEP examinations are currently accepted in the following areas:
American Literature
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
College Composition
English Literature
Financial Accounting
French Language I
French Language II
History of the United States I
History of the United States II
Humanities
Introduction to Business Law
Introductory Psychology
Introductory Sociology
Principles of Management
Principles of Marketing
Spanish Language I
Spanish Language II

Academic Good Standing & Progress Towards a Degree   [ top ]
The cumulative QPA is the total of all Quality Points acquired divided by the total number of semester hours attempted. Students will be considered to be in Good Standing if they maintain a cumulative QPA as indicated:

1.0 upon the completion of 1-15 total semester hours

1.6 upon the completion of 16-30 total semester hours

1.75 upon the completion of 31-45 total semester hours

2.0 upon the completion of over 45 total semester hours

W’s, I’s, P’s, and AU’s are not completed courses. The minimum cumulative QPA for graduation is 2.0. Students who are not in Good Standing will be placed on academic probation. Students receiving financial aid are also required by Government regulations to comply with additional standards. Please see Financial Aid Section.

Academic Probation   [ top ]
Students who are on Academic Probation are strongly encouraged to meet with a counselor. The purpose in meeting with the counselor is to consider one or more of the following options:

1. a reduction or change in the student’s intended course selection for the next probationary semester;
   
2. a reduction or change in intended work plans for next semester;
   
3. tutoring;
   
4. academic assistance program, LATCH;
   
5. a program of regular, periodic meetings with the student’s new instructors, counselor, and/or faculty advisor and
   
6. career reassessment program.
   

Lastly, if applicable, the student may finish his/her Incomplete course work and possibly bring his/her academic record back into good standing before the beginning of the next semester.

After one semester of Academic Probation, the student will be:

1. removed from Academic Probation if the cumulative quality point average is raised to or above that required to attain good standing status.
   
2. continued on Academic Probation if the probationary semester’s quality point average is 2.25 or above, but the cumulative quality point average stays below that required to attain good standing.
3. recommended for Academic Dismissal if the cumulative quality point average is below that required.
   

Academic Deficiency   [ top ]
The student has a number of alternatives when his/her academic status falls to Academic Deficiency:

1. If applicable, the student may complete his/her incomplete course work and bring the academic record back into Good Standing before the beginning of the next semester.
   
2. The student may submit an appeal to the Appeals Committee. The Committee will consider alternatives and make recommendations to the Senior Vice President and Vice President of Faculty and Instruction.
   
3. The student may request special academic counseling and planning with College counselors or developmental program staff who will consider alternatives and make recommendations to the Senior Vice President and Vice President of Faculty and Instruction.
   
4. If no action is taken within the identified timeframe, the student remains in deficiency status and is removed from his/her program of study. The student may continue to take courses as a non-degree student and may apply for readmission after the next academic semester.