Admissions and Records

Student Enrollment Services

The office of Student Enrollment Services, located in the Student Services Building, Room U109, provides information concerning admissions, enrollment development, registration and retention. Individuals desiring information about the college or college activities can inquire by calling 423-318-2763 or toll-free 1-800-225-4770, Ext. 6. Information concerning the college can also be obtained by visiting the Walters State home page at: http://www.ws.edu.

Admission Requirements 

Walters State Community College subscribes to an open admissions policy and encourages those who desire to attend the college for the purpose of learning to apply for admission in accordance with provisions stated below.

Walters State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status in the admission of students.

Interested individuals must:

1. Submit an application for admission.
2. Be a high school graduate with an approved regular high school diploma or possess a high school equivalency diploma (Ex. GED or HiSET). High school graduates must provide an official transcript showing a graduation date and designation of earning a regular high school diploma or a copy of the high school equivalency passing exam scores. The transcript of a non-public high school (including home schools, private schools, and church-related schools) should be an official copy from an affiliated organization as defined by state law (T.C.A. § 49-6-3050). Transcripts from independent home-school students must be accompanied by certification of registration with the superintendent of the local education agency (LEA) that the student would have otherwise attended. 

Aside from dual enrollment students, applicants will be conditionally admitted until proper documentation of a regular high school diploma or high school equivalency is submitted.  
A person who is under 21 years of age and has not earned an approved regular high school diploma or has not received a high school equivalency will not be admitted. A student will be immediately withdrawn and refunded 100% or his/her tuition/fees upon notification that an approved regular high school diploma or high school equivalency has not been awarded.

1. Effective October 1, 2012 the Tennessee Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act (EVEA) requires public colleges and universities to verify that any student seeking a state public benefit is either a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States.  In order to receive a state benefit, applicants must provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence. 
2. Applicants must submit the Immunization Health History form for Hepatitis B, Chicken Pox/Varicella, and Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccinations. Proof of actual vaccinations are only required if an outbreak were to occur. Forms may be obtained from Student Enrollment Services or on the Walters State website. 
3. Students may be required to submit other documentation based on their specific student classification. 
4. A student who has been suspended from another institution because of disciplinary action must be eligible to return to that institution before being admitted to Walters State Community College.
5. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a specific program of study. To be admitted to some programs of study, a student must meet certain standards or be approved by the dean/director of the program (i.e., Nursing).
6. Selective Service - pursuant to federal and state law, every male who was born on or after January 1, 1960, and is a citizen of the United States or a resident of the United States must register with the Selective Service System. Certification of this registration must be furnished to the office of Student Enrollment Services. .Individuals born on or after January 1, 1960, who did not register with the Selective Service System, must furnish the System with information that the failure to register was not knowing and willful. These individuals must furnish the college a copy of the response from the Selective Service System to the office of Admissions. Individuals may obtain their selective service number at: http://www.sss.gov.

When all of the above requirements have been completed, the applicant is considered a regular student and may be admitted to the college as a candidate for a degree or certificate and receive college credit for courses completed.

Student Classification

Students are classified as follows:

1. First-time, degree-seeking student under 21 years of age.
2. First-time, degree-seeking student over 21 years of age.
3. Transfer student - a student who has previously earned college credit from an accredited higher education institution.
4. Transient student - a student who is enrolled at another higher education institution and taking classes at Walters State Community College for the purpose of transferring the credits back to the other institution.
5. Non degree-seeking, special student.
6. Dual Enrollment - a student taking college courses while still in high school.
7. International Students - a student who has a visa permitting them to take classes.

Additional Requirements for Specific Classifications

Appropriate assessment is required for enrollment in Learning Support (LS) or College-Level courses.

Assessment decisions are based on valid ACT/SAT, Accuplacer, or SAILS scores. Valid scores are those earned within five years prior to the first day of class of a student’s entering term. No program assessment is required of any student with a valid ACT composite score of 26 or higher. 

1. Degree-seeking students will be assessed for LS placement according to ACT/SAT, Accuplacer, or SAILS scores.

2. Transfer students:

a.will provide an official transcript from each college previously attended.

b.without college-level English composition, mathematics and/or reading intensive course credit will be assessed in writing, mathematics, and/or reading based on a valid ACT score or other appropriate assessment test.

c.who are not eligible for readmission due to academic retention standards at the last institution attended will be admitted on probation at Walters State Community College. Students will then be held to Walters State academic retention standards as outlined in the college catalog.

1. Transient students will provide an official college transcript from their home institution.
2. Non degree-seeking, special students
   1. without college-level English composition credit will be assessed in writing prior to enrollment in college-level English or any course with English as a prerequisite.
   2. without college-level mathematics credit will be assessed in mathematics prior to enrollment in college-level mathematics or any course with mathematics as a prerequisite.
   3. without college-level reading intensive credit will be assessed in reading prior to enrollment in a college-level reading intensive course or any course with reading as a prerequisite.
   4. who change to degree-seeking status will be assessed and other screening may be applicable under guidelines for degree-seeking students.
3. Dual Enrollment students must
   1. be a junior or senior in high school.
   2. have a 3.0 high school GPA or 21 ACT/SAT composite score to be admitted. Exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the Director of Admissions.
   3. provide a completed Enrollment Permission Form every semester enrolled as a Dual Enrollment student and provide placement documentation where required (see Entrance Placement Requirements section).
4. Academically Talented/Gifted students
   1. must enrolled in grades nine or ten in public or private high schools in Tennessee and may, with the recommendation and approval of the high school principal, guidance counselor, and the WSCC department of Student Enrollment Services, enroll in and receive regular college degree credit from Walters State.
   2. must have a unweighted high school GPA of 3.2. 
   3. must complete a WSCC application.
   4. submit an I.E.P. (when available) and appropriate documentation of being certified academically gifted.
   5. Must submit all required forms must be submitted prior to admission and registration. 
5. International students on F-1 (student) visas are classified as international students, whether they are applying to Walters State as freshmen or transfer students. In making application for admissions to Walters State, each international student must have items 1-5 listed below on file in the department of Student Enrollment Services no later than 60 days prior to the beginning date of the term the applicant wishes to enroll:

1. A completed application for admission.
2. Official copies of all transcripts, test scores, and other credentials. These documents must be accompanied by an official English translation which shows the following: 
   1. Courses of instruction in terms of years spent in school.
   2. Types of subject matter covered with grades earned in each subject.
3. A completed Immunization Health History form.
4. Evidence of proficiency in the English language according to the following: A first-time student must present a minimum TOEFL score of 500 on the paper exam or 173 on the computer-based exam (earned within the last two years) prior to application. The TOEFL score will not be considered until the score has been verified by the department of Student Enrollment Services. Verification can only be done if the student has requested the testing agency to release their score to WSCC. WSCC institution code is 1893.
   Exception: TOEFL is not required if: 
   1. English is the official language of the country of citizenship.
   2. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is conferred on an official transcript from a United States accredited four-year college or university.
   3. A student can show evidence to satisfy all requirements for freshman composition with a grade of “C” or better at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States of America.
5. Evidence of financial resources adequate for one year of tuition and related expenses from a bank within the student’s country of current residence.

Transfer of Credit

Walters State Community College will accept credits transferred from accredited colleges. Official transcripts of all previous records must be sent to the college at the time of the application. Credits for courses not corresponding with the curriculum at Walters State Community College will be entered on the transcript as elective credits. Credit from an institution of higher education which is not fully accredited may be accepted provisionally.

Upon arrival of a student’s transcript, the transcript will initially be checked by the Office of Student Enrollment Services for the school’s accreditation status.

If the transcript is from an accredited college,

• The hours will be equated to semester hours.
• A transcript will be reviewed using established equivalency tables and additional equivalency courses that have been approved by the division dean to determine appropriate transfer equivalency.
• Courses needed for graduation or program requirements will be evaluated by the appropriate division dean.

If the transcript is from a non-accredited college, the student may request an evaluation using the Request for Credit Approval form and submit it to Student Enrollment Services. Once received, Student Enrollment Services will route it to the appropriate academic division for credit review. Upon review, the division will notify Student Enrollment Services of denial or awarding of credits along with the appropriate Walters State equivalent course, if applicable. Student Enrollment Services will then post any credit that is awarded to the student’s record.

Transfer courses will be entered on the student’s permanent record. Grade point averages from transfer institutions will not be included with the Walters State GPA, but may be included for admission to certain programs and for financial aid satisfactory academic progress, or for scholarship retention.

Dual Enrollment College Program

http://www.ws.edu/academics/distance-ed/dual-credit/

Walters State Community College and service area school systems have partnered to provide an opportunity for highly motivated students to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree and/or college credits simultaneously. The program provides a variety of learning options related to a range of careers for students who are ready to accept the challenge of college level classes. Many students will choose to simply take a few dual enrollment classes, while others will make the commitment to obtain an associate degree while in high school.

For more information on Dual Enrollment College, contact the Division of Distance Education at 423-585-6996.

Entrance Placement Requirements

Walters State Community College, under the direction of the Tennessee Board of Regents, believes that accurate academic placement is essential to a student’s success in college. An appropriate placement procedure through various assessments is a required component of the admissions process. The placement of a student in a college-level course depends upon having met certain academic standards. Those standards include achievement in high school courses as evidenced by the high school transcript, achievement on the ACT or SAT test, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and/or achievement on other tests administered by the college. Approved assessments and cut-off scores for college-level placement are below:

Students who have successfully completed college-level English, mathematics, or reading intensive courses via Dual Enrollment programs will not be placed in Learning Support coursework in these academic areas if subsequent ACT/SAT scores in these subject areas are lower than the stated cut-off for placement. College credit in these courses will be honored as the basis to waive English, mathematics, or reading placements.

Students may request a change in placement, only after being referred by a faculty member in that particular course. If placement is changed, the changes become mandatory. The decision to permit the student to enroll in any LS course is an institutional prerogative with placement decisions made by the program director.

If you have a disability that requires special test accommodations, please give as much advance notice as possible (at least a month). Last minute accommodation requests are usually very difficult to arrange. Some accommodation requests may require additional documentation.

Referred Students

1. Students who are not required to undergo assessment may request testing.
2. Instructors may recommend testing for students who did not undergo assessment and later showed deficiencies.
3. Students who have been assessed may be moved within the program based on further holistic assessment.

Students Electing LS Courses

Students who consider themselves inadequately prepared to pursue a college-level course may request assessment to determine whether they need developmental English, mathematics, or reading courses. They must complete the appropriate subject area placement test and must be determined to need remediation before placement. The decision to permit the student to enroll in any LS course is an institutional prerogative with placement decision made by the academic dean.

Entrance Placement Appeal Procedure

Any student who feels that results of the assessment procedure do not accurately reflect academic ability may appeal the placement decision(s) to the Readmission Committee. The appeal may be initiated through the vice president for Student Affairs or the vice president for Academic Affairs. Students are encouraged to submit documentation of extenuating circumstances to the vice president at the time the appeal is initiated. Students must appear personally before the committee to appeal placement decisions. The committee meets at 9 a.m. on the Thursday preceding the first day of classes.

Student Challenge of Placement Test

A student may be allowed to challenge the placement test, by subject area, if, according to the dean’s judgment, placement indications are inconsistent. The student will not retake the placement test, but may be placed differently according to the holistic departmental assessments and dean’s determination. This exception to placement must be supported by documentation, and the dean must permanently waive the student’s original placement.

Withdrawal from LS Courses

Persistence in the program is essential. Students, therefore, must be counseled prior to withdrawal from a course.

Grades to be Assigned

Grades to be assigned in LS courses are: A, B, C, F, I (incomplete), W (withdrawal), and IP (in progress). Students will not be allowed to audit LS courses.

Concurrent Enrollment in College-Level and LS Courses

College-level courses taken concurrently with LS courses must be carefully selected and must not require skills in which the student is currently deficient.

All students who are required to take the placement test must register in advance by calling the office of Admissions at 1-800-225-4740, ext. 3 or the Counseling and Testing Center at 423-585-6805.

Readmission of Former Students

Former students who wish to return to the college must file a formal application for readmission. Application forms are available online or from the office of Student Enrollment Services. If the student has enrolled at another college since last attending Walters State Community College, a transcript from the other college must be submitted and approved before readmission. Applications will receive favorable consideration only if the applicant is eligible for readmission under all college regulations.

Credit for Prior Learning

The term “prior learning” refers to a variety of methods of acquiring knowledge comparable to the learning objectives of college courses. Knowledge may be acquired in a classroom or outside the traditional classroom environment. Academic credit will be awarded only:

• for admitted students who have declared a program of study
• students who have consulted with an academic advisor regarding the possibility of seeking PLA
• for courses directly applicable to the curriculum requirements of the declared major. Changing majors may result in a reassessment of the applicability of the PLA credit.

Walters State Community College offers college credit for the following types of prior learning.

• Advanced Placement Examinations
• Certified Administrative Professionals (CAP) Examination
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Credit by Assessment (Dual Credit)
• Credit by Departmental Assessment
• Credit for Military Experience
• Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
• Public Safety - Fire Protection Training
• Public Safety - Paramedic/Emergency Medical Training
• Nursing Career Mobility
• Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology Diploma Articulation

Students requesting credit for prior learning are required to complete the Application for Prior Learning Assessment and follow the procedures outlined on the application in order to obtain credit.

Advanced Placement Examinations

To receive credit for prior learning, students must show satisfactory achievement on the Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board for Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken while in high school. Advanced Placement satisfactory scores, credit hours awarded, and the Walters State course equivalents are listed below. When credit is awarded for satisfactory scores on Advanced Placement Exams, the grade will show as “P” on the student transcript and will not affect the student’s quality point average.

Advanced Placement Examination Scores and WSCC Course Equivalents

TBR Community Colleges will award/transfer PLA credit for AP scores in to the suggested course or the equivalent course at their institutions. There may be variations in course number and/or course title among schools.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) (*Computer-Based Examination)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a credit by examination program which tests mastery of college-level material acquired in a variety of ways including academic instruction, independent study, or extracurricular work. When credit is awarded for satisfactory scores on CLEP exams, the grade will show as “P” on the student transcript and will not affect the student’s quality point average.

Credit by Assessment (Dual Credit)

The Dual Credit Program is funded under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

Credit by assessment is often a departmental challenge assessment (cognate or performance) that allows high school students to demonstrate prior learning relevant to a particular body of knowledge. The demonstration of proficiency of knowledge of the learning outcomes for a particular college-level course is validated by the college faculty, and upon enrollment of the student into the particular college, the student is awarded “transfer” credit by the college faculty. All academic credit by examination requests must be made to the division dean and approved by the vice president for Academic Affairs. To be eligible for consideration for credit by examination, examination requirements must be completed as designated by the division.

The high school career technical instructors and Walters State Community College instructors review course materials to determine duplicative course outcomes and then develop articulation agreements and policies which can result in opportunities for high school students to receive college credit. These agreements allow 11th and 12th grade high school students to take college level assessments.

Dual Credit Requirements

• High school instructors will analyze the post-secondary competencies/skills needed by students to successfully pass/master one or more post-secondary level courses.
• Based on this analysis, instructors may recommend qualified students attempt the Dual Credit exam at WSCC by submitting an electronic application for an examination.
• Students must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Students must be currently enrolled in high school as an 11th or 12th grader.

Application Process

• Complete the dual credit exam electronic application.
• The application must have a correct social security number and birthdate.
• Print a copy of the application and bring a copy with you on the test date.
• High school counselor must sign the application verifying the appropriate GPA for testing.
• High school instructor must sign the application verifying the student’s eligibility based on student’s appropriate course sequence.
• The parent signs the application as approval for the student to test.
• The student must sign the application in order to take the test.
• Students may not repeat a test, but may take a new test.
• Students will be assigned a user name and password on the date of testing.

Procedure for Obtaining Credit

• Test results will be sent to the student and the secondary and post-secondary school.
• In order to receive college credit the student must:
  • Complete a WSCC application.
  • Pay a $25.00 processing fee to the Cashier’s Office.

Online Testing Procedures

• The student’s dual credit electronic application and high school GPA will be verified.
• Once the electronic application is approved, the high school counselor will be notified.
• For students wishing to test at WSCC, a User ID and Password will be assigned to the student upon his/her arrival on campus. This will be the means of access to the online dual credit exam.

Dual Credit Exam

• A student can attempt the dual credit exam for a specific course one time only.
• Test results will be sent to the student, the appropriate college instructor, and the secondary and post-secondary school.
• A grade of A, B, C, D, or F will be transcripted upon the request of the student.

Passing Grades

• Students that pass the dual credit exam will receive college credit at Walters State, upon request.
• Grades will be assigned based on the post-secondary dual credit exam score or where special conditions exist for obtaining dual credit, the grades will be assigned based on required national exam scores or by instructor objective assessment. Special conditions and minimum passing scores can be found on the sheet of courses or programs eligible for dual credit.

The Dual Credit Program is funded under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

Post-secondary Courses Tested/Articulated Credit

Statewide Dual Credit

Statewide dual credit provides high school courses which are aligned to post-secondary standards. All statewide dual credit courses are approved by the Consortium for Cooperative Innovative Education before they can be offered as a part of the state’s current pilot program.

Statewide dual credit courses are taught and the online challenge exam is taken on the high school campus. All students enrolled in a statewide dual credit course take the online challenge exam, which is used to assess mastery of the post-secondary level learning objectives. Tennessee high school and post-secondary faculty work together to develop the learning objectives and challenge exam for each course, which are tie to current post-secondary learning outcomes.

Procedure for Obtaining Credit

Upon matriculation, it is the student’s responsibility to contact Student Enrollment Services to provide his or her statewide dual credit course and exam information in order for post-secondary credit to be awarded. Student Enrollment Services will then verify a passing score in the Early Post-Secondary Data System and award appropriate credit as determined by the institution. A student will receive a Passing Grade (P) for awarded credit.

Statewide Dual Credit Courses Tested/Articulated Credit

Credit by Departmental Assessment

Under certain conditions a student may be awarded credit in other courses by taking a series of departmental examinations and/or standardized tests in a particular area. All academic credit by examination requests must be made to the division dean and approved by the vice president for Academic Affairs. To be eligible for consideration for credit by examination, a student must register for the course and attend the first day of class. All examination requirements must be completed as designed by the division.

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) Examination

Credit for successful completion of the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) Examination will be awarded and may be utilized to meet degree requirements for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Management - Administrative Office Assistant Concentration. Please consult a Division of Business faculty advisor for details.

Credit for Military Service

Walters State Community College awards credit for educational programs in the Armed Services of the United States as recommended by the Commission on Educational Credit of the American Council on Education and published in their Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces. The credit is awarded for formal military course completion, not for skill level attainment or occupational experience.

U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine veterans should submit official ACE Registry transcripts (ARTS/SMARTS) to the Walters State Office of Admissions. U.S. Air Force veterans should present official Community College of the Air Force transcripts. Coast Guard veterans should submit official Coast Guard Institute Education transcripts. The DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD 295, Application for the Evaluation of Learning Experiences during Military Service, or other official documentation may also be submitted.

DSST (DANTES) Examinations

The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) for which Walters State Community College awards credit are listed below.

Other Examination-Based and Departmentally Accepted Credit

Advanced Placement by ACT/SAT

Advanced placement in English may be obtained with an ACT English subtest score of 27-30 (credit for ENGL 1010, Composition I) or a score of 31 or higher (credit for ENGL 1010 and 1020, Composition I and II). Students contemplating transfer of such credit however, should be aware that senior institutions vary in their willingness to accept this credit and may require testing. When credit is awarded for high test scores on ACT, scores will be converted to a grade of “P” and will not affect the student’s quality point average.

The SAT is a standardized exam typically given to high school students and used in college admissions. It covers areas of critical reading, mathematics, and writing. WSCC awards Composition I (ENGL 1010) credit to students who achieve a 610 English score and Composition I and II (ENGL 1010 and 1020) to students who achieve a 710 or higher score in English on the SAT Exam. When credit is awarded for high test scores on the SAT, scores will be converted to a grade of “P” on the transcript and will not affect the student’s quality point average.

Excelsior Credit by Exam

Students who have attended Excelsior College or completed Excelsior Examinations may request transcripts from Excelsior. Transcripts will be evaluated by the WSCC Admissions Office and credit awarded as appropriate.

Previous Courses and Studies

Advanced placement or college credit in foreign language classes will be based upon the student’s previous studies. Placement in foreign language may be made at a level determined by the Humanities Division in consultation with the student.

Individual Departmental Decisions for Prior Learning

Individual departments may recommend advanced placement based upon the achievement on departmentally designed examinations together with the evaluation of the student’s background.

Placement in mathematics may be made at a level decided by the Mathematics Division in consultation with the student. Consideration will be given to the student’s background in specific courses and available test scores, including departmental examination.

Public Safety - Fire Protection Training

Firefighters with professional training and successful NFPA certificate completion may receive college credit which can be applied to degree requirements for the Associate of Applied Science in Public Safety - Fire Protection concentration. Individuals interested in receiving fire protection prior learning credit are encouraged to submit documentation for review. Please consult a Division of Public Safety faculty advisor for details.

Public Safety - Paramedic/Emergency Medical Training

Individuals who have an advanced medical certificate/license may receive credit which will be applied to First Responder/Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) programs. Students interested in receiving credit must submit documentation for review. Please consult a Division of Public Safety faculty advisor for details.

Nursing Career Mobility

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) accepted to the Career Mobility Program will receive 13 semester hours credit upon completion of NURS 1180/1181 with a grade of C or better. Please consult a Health Programs faculty advisor for details.

Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology Diploma Articulation

The General Technology program is designed for students who wish to complete a two-year technical degree applicable to immediate employment. The program allows students flexibility in selecting courses that can meet specific educational and employment goals. The program may be customized to allow students up to 39 semester credit hours of electives to meet the students’ specific career goals. Students must meet with a program advisor prior to beginning this course of study. Students may receive credit for coursework completed at other institutions. A prior learning assessment evaluation of this coursework will be completed before enrollment in the program. Walters State faculty and/or deans determine college-level course equivalencies for certificates earned at a TCAT.  This credit is awarded on the Walters State transcript on a course-by-course basis with the final approval of the appropriate dean. Walters State faculty and/or deans determine college-level course equivalencies for certificates earned at a TCAT.  This credit is awarded on the Walters State transcript on a course-by-course basis with the final approval of the appropriate dean. Students interested in the General Technology degree program should confer with the dean of Technical Education for individual assessment and advisement.

Registration for Courses

Once a student has filed an application with appropriate documentation to the department of Student Enrollment Services and obtained academic advisor clearance as required, the student will be permitted to register for classes via MyWS. The dates and procedures for registration are outlined on the Walters State website under Admissions- Registration and in the Timetable of Classes for the semester in which the student is registering. The student is not officially enrolled until all requirements of registration have been completed, including payment of fees.

Correspondence and Extension Credit

A student may not be enrolled at another college for correspondence or extension work while enrolled at Walters State unless special permission has been granted. All extension or correspondence work in progress upon admission must be reported to the office of Student Enrollment Services at the time of the student’s first registration. Any correspondence or extension work taken while a student is enrolled at Walters State must be approved by the vice president for Academic Affairs.

Admission to Special Programs

Certain instructional programs of the college are subject to special admission requirements which are in addition to the general admission requirements. These programs necessitate special admission requirements and are subject to change due to the availability of institutional resources. Students wishing to enter these programs of study should check with the appropriate department offering the program in order to become familiar with these special requirements.

Policy Regarding Student Records

Walters State Community College recognizes the rights of students to have access to their records and will not make unauthorized disclosure of student records, as required by the Family Educational Right Privacy Act (FERPA).

This act and the federal regulations adopted under it give students and former students the right to inspect, review, and copy educational records released to them. The only exceptions to this rule are financial records of parents or any information therein; confidential letters and statements of recommendation which were placed in the educational records prior to January 5, 1975; records to which access have been waived by a student in writing; and “Directory Information.”

“Directory Information” includes a student’s name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous educational agency or institution attended, and other information of the type above specifically approved by the institution as acceptable “Directory Information”. (At the time of student’s registration for courses, the student may notify the department of Student Enrollment Services in writing that “Directory Information” for that student may not be released. This notification is effective only for the one semester for which that student is then registered.)

Walters State Community College will not permit access to or the release of any information in the educational records of any student who is personally identifiable other than “Directory Information” without the written consent of the student to any party other than the following: (1) Walters State Community College officials and staff who have legitimate educational interests, including the support of honor societies and academic excellence; (2) officials of other schools in which the student seeks admission; (3) appropriate persons in connection with a student’s application for or receipt of financial aid; (4) federal or state officials as defined in Paragraph 99.37 of the regulations concerning this law; (5) state and local officials authorized by State statute; (6) in response to a judicial order or subpoena; (7) a bona fide emergency if such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student or other persons; (8) accrediting organizations to carry out their functions; and organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of Walters State Community College for the purpose of assisting in accomplishing the college’s stated goals, when such information will be used only by such organizations and subsequently destroyed when no longer needed for the intended purpose.

Upon request, a record covered by the ACT will be made available within a reasonable time, and in no event later than 30 days after the request. The student should direct the request to the official who has charge of the records. Copies are available at the student’s expense. A student may also request explanation and interpretation of the records from the official in charge.

If a student feels that a particular record or file contains inaccurate or misleading information or is otherwise inappropriate, the college will afford an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the contents of the record. This request shall be submitted in writing to the college official in charge of the office which maintains that particular record. The college official receiving the written request must forward the request directly to the President of the college who will appoint a hearing committee. The student shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised and may be assisted or represented by individuals of the student’s choice at own expense, including an attorney. The committee, after hearing the student, will make a recommendation to the President who will be the final college authority in resolving the conflict.

Walters State Community College maintains, with the educational records of each student, a record identifying all persons except other college officials who have obtained access to the records.

Retention of Records

Students’ academic records are maintained permanently on the Student Information System. Periodic backups are made to ensure safety of the files and are stored in a secure location. All other records are maintained according to AACRAO standards as published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. A copy of the retention policy is maintained in the Student Records Department (SSB-U127) and the office of the vice president for Student Affairs (CCEN-100).

Grades, transcript information, drop/adds, withdrawals, and other data perceived by the student to be in error must be protested by the student during the subsequent semester. Protests made after this time will not be reviewed unless approval by the vice president for Academic Affairs.

Transcript of Credits

Requests for transcripts should be made to the Student Records Office. Students may request transcripts by any of the following methods: in-person, at any Walters State campus, secured Walters State website (online), mail, or by fax. Requests will not be accepted by phone. Requests for copies sent to other schools, employers, or other third parties will be sent directly to the intended party. Requests for personal copies will be marked as “issued to student” and require the student’s signature before they will be released. Students may include the signature with the initial written request or when picking the transcript up at the Student Records Office on the Morristown campus. Please note that many agencies do not consider transcripts to be official if hand-delivered by the student. A valid photo ID is required when picking up personal transcript copies.

There is no charge for transcripts provided that requests do not exceed five copies in a specific time frame. Requests in excess of five are subject to a minimal charge.

Cancellation of Scheduled Classes

Any scheduled class may be discontinued by the college. The right is reserved to cancel any class when the number enrolled is deemed insufficient.

Cancellation of Classes Due to Weather or Road Conditions

For information related to the cancellation of classes due to inclement weather, please check the college’s Web site at www.ws.edu, the college’s Facebook and Twitter pages, the Senators Emergency Text system, or call the college’s student information line, 1-800-225-4770, option 1; the Sevier County Campus, 865-774-5800, option 7; or the Greeneville/Greene County Campus, 423-798-7940, option 4. Also, please monitor local TV and radio stations for weather-related announcements.

Students and employees are requested to check for updated messages once a decision has been made because on occasion, due to an unexpected and sudden change in the weather and road conditions, a decision is modified. In all instances decisions are made with the safety of students and employees foremost in consideration but with an attempt to have classes if possible. However, on a day or evening when classes are being conducted and weather conditions are questionable, students are advised to use individual judgment on whether or not to attend classes. Students will be provided an opportunity to make up work missed for absences incurred for days when conditions are questionable but classes are meeting.

Changes in or cancellation of classes will be announced on the following stations:

Audit Classes

Students planning to audit a course or courses must submit a completed audit card prior to the drop deadline. An audit student is one who is attending classes, does not take examination, and does not receive a grade. Students may not audit learning support classes. Audit cards are available in the Student Records Department of the Morristown campus or administration offices on other campuses. Cards must be completed and submitted by the last day to withdraw each term.

Audit of any course in Health Programs will be at the discretion of the dean and the program director. Regents Online Degree Program courses may not be audited.

Retention Standards

The minimum quality point average required to achieve the associate degree or certificate is 2.0.

Academic Probation

A student who fails during any term to attain a cumulative GPA (including Learning Support) at or above the level indicated below for the total quality hours attempted will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent term.

Academic Suspension

A student who has been placed on academic probation must: (1) earn a 2.0 GPA during the current and each subsequent term of enrollment, or (2) attain the cumulative standards cited above. Otherwise, the student will be suspended, or placed on academic dismissal, for one term; and the summer term cannot be counted as the term of suspension.

Readmission After Academic Suspension

In order to be readmitted to college after being placed on Academic Suspension, a student has the following options:

1. Stay out of college for one semester (summer term may not be counted as semester of suspension).
2. Appear before the Admissions and Academic Readmissions Committee to appeal academic suspension. Committee meeting dates are listed on the college website and are mailed out to each student with the probation/suspension letter.

Withdrawals and Honorable Dismissals

Students finding it necessary to withdraw from college should do so officially in order to maintain good standing and to assure readmission or honorable dismissal. Withdrawal procedures are as follows:

1. Students should secure a withdrawal form from the Student Records Department of the Morristown campus or the administration offices at any of the other campuses or may also withdraw online via MyWs.
2. Students should check with their advisor, Library, Financial Aid, Student Records, and Cashiering before dropping courses to be advised of possible consequences of current and future aid and to ensure all financial obligations are met.
3. All equipment belonging to the college must be accounted for or paid for and all financial obligations met. If it is impossible for the student to take these steps in person, they should be taken by a parent or person acting as an agent for the student. Up to the date given in the academic calendar, a student may withdraw from the college with a grade of “W”.

After the date listed in the academic calendar (last day to drop a course or withdraw from college), a student may, in emergency situations, withdraw by the recommendation of the instructor and the approval of the vice president for Academic Affairs. In cases such as this, the student will be assigned a grade of “W”.

A student who stops attending classes and fails to follow the proper withdrawal procedures, will be carried on the roll until the end of the semester and grades will be reported as “F” or “FA.”

Grades, transcript information, drop/adds, withdrawals and other data perceived by the student to be in error must be protested by the student during the subsequent semester. Protests made after this time will not be reviewed unless approval is received from the vice president for Academic Affairs.

Graduation and Degree Requirements

Applications for graduation are processed through the department of Student Records. To be eligible for graduation and receive a degree or certificate from Walters State Community College, the student must:

1.     Complete all academic requirements for the selected degree/certificate program.

2.     Complete the minimum number of required semester hours for the selected program of study (minimum of 60 for associate’s degree).

3.     Earn an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 in all college level courses with the exception of Associate of Science in Teaching (AST). Students seeking the AST degree must have an overall GPA of 2.75. (Only college-level courses taken at Walters State are used to compute the GPA for graduation).

4.     Fulfill all courses required for the program as outlined in the college catalog, with 25% of the total number of credits required for the degree completed at Walters State Community College. For the Associate of Applied Science Degree program concentrations in Engineering Technology, students are required to take a minimum of 12 semester hours of technical course work at Walters State Community College.

5.     Apply for graduation by completing the Graduation Application, including: Follow-up Survey and Alumni Forms by the deadline listed in the catalog and on the website. The Follow-up Survey section provides the college with information that is needed to keep all programs in compliance with TBR regulations. Further information on the survey may be obtained by visiting the department of Student Services in SSB U130 or calling 423-585-6893. The Graduation Application is available on the Walters State Student Records webpage in the Student Records Department on the Morristown Campus, and in the administrative offices on all other Walters State campuses.

6.     Resolve all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the college; and returned all library and college materials.

Other guidelines pertaining to graduation are:

7.     The student must meet the requirements for graduation under any one catalog in effect during the student’s attendance at Walters State, provided that the catalog used is within seven years of the date of graduation. Degree requirements set forth in a catalog shall remain in effect for the duration of the period identified on the cover of the catalog. No guarantee is implied that these requirements will be contained in total or in part in future specification of the degree.

8.     Transfer credits used to satisfy Walters State’s degree requirements will not be averaged with the student’s grade point average at Walters State for the purpose of calculating the graduation average, or calculating honors.

9.     For second or subsequent degrees, there must be at least 16 credit hours difference in requirements between the first and second degrees.

10.   The State of Tennessee requires students receiving an associate degree to take the general education exit exam (ETS Proficiency Profile). Students graduating with an AS or AAS in Business are required to take the Business Exit Examination. Notification regarding test dates will be provided. Students may also be required to take other tests by the institution.

11.   Students graduating in the fall and summer semesters will attend the commencement exercises in December, unless special permission is granted by the department of Student Records. Students graduating at the end of the spring semester will attend the commencement exercises in May.

12.   Graduation honors are calculated at the end of the previous semester to be included in the graduation program, the graduation ceremony, and all news releases concerning graduation.

13.   Students who do not graduate by the semester which is indicated on the graduation application, will automatically be carried over to the next semester. Students who do not meet the requirements after the second semester, will have to reapply for a future semester.

Candidates for a second associate’s degree must meet the following requirements:

a.      The first degree must have been awarded by Walters State or another associate’s degree-granting institution of higher learning.

b.     A minimum of 16 semester hours of coursework must have been completed at Walters State beyond requirements for the first associate’s degree.

c.      All curriculum requirements for Walters State must be met.

d.     A 2.0 grade point average must be attained on all college-level coursework.

A second degree cannot be awarded under the same Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code as the first degree. The second degree awarded will be an “Option”. No additional diploma will be given.