Admissions and Records

Senators Central

The office of Senators Central, 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 423-585-6803 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 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, as well as a final GPA. The transcript must be a “regular” or “honors” high school diploma. A special education diploma or certificate of attendance will not meet this requirement.  A home-school transcript must show the date of graduation and final GPA. 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 a current certification of registration (letter of intent) with the superintendent’s office of the local education agency (LEA) where the student would have otherwise attended. Applicants who are unable to provide the letter of intent and/or transcript will be required to take the HiSET and pass with satisfactory scores before being admitted to the college.

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 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 A student will be immediately withdrawn and refunded 100% or his/her tuition/fees upon notification that an approved regular high school diploma or high school equivalency has not been awarded.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. 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 with permanent residencey status wishing to seek admission to the college must submit a photocopy of both sides of the permanent residency card (also known as the Form I-551 or green card), visa, or clear immigration authorization. A PASSPORT IS NOT CONSIDERED IMMIGRATION AUTHORIZATION.
3. 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 Senators Central or on the Walters State website. 
4. Students may be required to submit other documentation based on their specific student classification. 
5. 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.
6. 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).
7. Selective Service - pursuant to federal and state law, males who are 18 but not yet 26 years old, and are citizens 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 Senators Central. Individuals born on or after January 1, 1960, who did not register with the Selective Service System, must furnish the school 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 Senators Central. 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 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. 
8. Readmitted student.

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. Students who do not submit valid scores will be automatically defaulted into Learning Support areas in math, English, and reading.

1. Degree-seeking students will be assessed for Learning Support (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. Students will then be held to Walters State academic retention standards as outlined in the college catalog.

3. Transient students will provide an official college transcript from their home institution.

4. Non degree-seeking, special students​

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• who change to degree-seeking status will be assessed and other screening may be applicable under guidelines for degree-seeking students.

5. Dual Enrollment students must:

• be a junior or senior in high school.
• 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 dean of Student Records and Enrollment Processing.
• 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).

6. Academically Talented/Gifted students

• 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 WS department of Student Enrollment Processing, enroll in and receive regular college degree credit from WS.
• must have a unweighted high school GPA of 3.2. 
• must complete a WS application.
• submit an I.E.P. (when available) and appropriate documentation of being certified academically gifted.
• Must submit all required forms must be submitted prior to admission and registration. 

7. 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 Processing no later than 60 days prior to the beginning date of the term the applicant wishes to enroll:

• A completed application for admission.
• Official copies of all transcripts, test scores, and other credentials. All documents must clearly show the graduation date or completion date. These documents must be accompanied by an official English translation which shows the following: 

a. Courses of instruction in terms of years spent in school.

b. Types of subject matter covered with grades earned in each subject.

c. A completed Immunization Health History form

d. Please submit the official scores from the following list. Your scores must be submitted to the Walters State Enrollment Processing Office directly by the testing company We cannot accept these documents directly from you.​​

1. TOEFL iBT score of 61 or above: (Computer-based 173 and above, or paper-based 500 and above. Waltersd State school code is 001893.) https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about
2. IELTS score of 5.5 or above: http://www.ielts.org
3. TOEFL Essential at 6.5 level.
4. Duolingo English Test with a score of 85 or above.
5. iTEP score of 3.5 or above.
6. For transfer students, completion of English 1010 and 1020 at a U.S. university.
7. The ELS completion certificate of level 110: https://www.els.edu/destinations/nashville(email: nsh@els.edu)

Exception: TOEFL is not required if:

a. English is the official language of the country of citizenship.

b. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is conferred on an official transcript from a United States acredited four-year college or university.

c. 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.

e. 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 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 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 Processing 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, available from Student Enrollment Processing, and submit it to Student Enrollment Processing. Once received, Student Enrollment Processing will route it to the appropriate academic division for credit review. Upon review, the division will notify Student Enrollment Processing of denial or awarding of credits along with the appropriate Walters State equivalent course, if applicable. Student Enrollment Processing 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 Program

https://www.ws.edu/academics/distance-ed/dual-enrollment/

Walters State and service area school systems have partnered to provide an opportunity for highly motivated students to earn college credits simultaneously while completing their high school requirements. 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. Courses may be transferred to both in-state and out of state programs at the discretion of the transfer institution.

For more information on Walters State Community College’s Dual Enrollment program, contact the Division of Distance Education at 423-585-2642.

Middle College Program

https://www.ws.edu/academics/distance-ed/dual-college/

Walters State 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 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. Courses may be transferred to both in-state and out of state programs at the discretion of the transfer institution.

For more information on Walters State Community College’s Middle College program, contact the Division of Distance Education at 423-585-2642.

Entrance Placement Requirements

Walters State, under the direction of The College System of Tennessee, believes that accurate academic placement is essential to a student’s success in college. An appropriate placement procedure through various assessments is a recommended 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 do not submit valid scores will automatically be defaulted into Learning Support (LS) areas of math, English, and reading. 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 Learning Support 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 Services 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 Learning Support 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 Counseling and Testing Center at 423-585-6800.

Readmission of Former Students

Former students who wish to return to the college must file a formal application for readmission. Applications may be submitted electronically from the WS website or hard copies are available in Senators Central and the administrative offices at all other campuses. If the student has enrolled at another college since last attending Walters State, 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 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 WS 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.

Walters State Dual Credit

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.

To participate in a dual credit exam, students must complete the dual credit exam electronic application. A printed copy of the electronic application must be submitted to the designated high school instructor. Both the high school instructor and high school counselor must sign the application verifying the appropriate GPA and competencies/skills needed for testing.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. 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 Test results will be sent to the student and the secondary and post-secondary school. 

Students who pass the dual credit exam will receive college credit at Walters State, upon request. 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.

In order to receive college credit the student must:

• Complete a WSCC application, if not previously admitted.
• Provide a certiried and signed score report.
• Pay a $25.00 processing fee to the Cashier’s Office.
• Submit receipt of paid fee to the Student Records Office.

WS Dual Credit 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. Upon matriculation, it is the student’s responsibility to contact Student Enrollment Processing to provide his or her statewide dual credit course and exam information in order for post-secondary credit to be awarded. Student Enrollment Processing 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.

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. Please consult the division dean or faculty advisor for information.

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 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 Student Enrollment Processing. 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 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. WS 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 WS Enrollment Processing 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 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. 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 Processing 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 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). Students may sign a “Release of Information” form allowing specific people to access their educational records. Contact the Student Records Office for details.

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 offices of Student Records or Enrollment Processing 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 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 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 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 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 office (SSB-U127) and the office of the vice president for Student Services.

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 presidents for Student services or Academic Affairs.

Transcript of Credits

Current students may print their unofficial transcript via their MyWS account.

Official Copies of Transcripts may be requested by any of the following methods:

• Electronic - Electronic Transcript Request.
• In-person - completing a Transcript Request form in the Student Records office, Morristown campus, Student Services Building, Suite U127 or any of the administration offices at the other WS campuses.  
• Fax Request* - Print, complete the Transfer Request Form, and fax to 423-585-2631.
• Mail Request* - WSCC, Student Records Office, 500 Davy Crockett Parkway, Morristown, TN 37813.

*For fax or mail request, include your name, signature, contact telephone number, WS identification number, birth month and day, and address of where you want the transcript mailed.  For security purposes, Walters State does not email transcripts.

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.  A valid photo ID is required when picking up personal transcript copies.

Note - many agencies do not consider transcripts to be official if hand-delivered by the student. Please check with the intended recipient to ensure it will be accepted if hand-delivered.

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 Office 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. TN eCampus courses may not be audited.

Retention Standards

Academic Warning (Probation)

A student who fails to attain a minimum term grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for the credit hours attempted, will be placed on academic warning for the subsequent term. The student will remain on academic warning until the minimum required cumulative GPA of 2.0 is attained. Students in a warning status will be notified via WS email approximately 3-5 business days after grades are posted for the term.

Academic Suspension

While on academic warning, if the student falls below a term GPA of 2.0, the student will be placed on a one-term suspension.  Summer terms do not count as a suspension period. Therefore, if a student is placed on suspension after spring grades are posted, the suspension period will be for both the summer and fall terms. After sitting out the suspension period, the student may return to Walters State in an academic warning status. Students may appeal their suspension if they feel extenuating circumstances contributed to their unsatisfactory academic progress. 

Students who voluntarily serve the time imposed by their suspension will be reinstated automatically and do not need to meet with the Committee.  Their admission status will be Academic Warning for the semester that they return and until they meet the 2.0 GPA cumulative GPA.  If the students fails to meet the term GPA of 2.0 for any term while on suspension, the student will placed on suspension and required to sit out another term.

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.

Definitions

Academic Warning (Probation) – serves as a warning to the student that their grades do not meet the minimum GPA requirement at WS. Students are eligible to attend WS during Academic Warning status.

Suspension – the students cumulative GPA has fallen below the required minimum for 2 terms consecutively. Student is required to sit out one term or can appeal the decision.

Good Standing - refers to a student’s status who has both a term and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.   If a student reaches a 2.0 cumulative GPA while on warning status, the student will move to Good Standing for the subsequent term.   

Term GPA – the grade point average of classes attempted during a term.

Cumulative GPA – the grade point average of all classes attempted while attending WS.  Transfer classes do not count.  

Transfer Students

While individual courses may transfer to WS and can count toward fulfilling degree requirements, the number of credit hours and quality points do not count toward calculating the GPA for academic probation and suspension.

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. Before the published drop deadline for each term, students may withdraw from classes via ther MyWS account, by contacting the Student Records Office on the Morristown Campus, or the administration offices at one of the other campuses.
2. Students should check with their advisor, Financial Aid, the Library, Cashiering, and Student Records 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 with proper approvals by College administration. 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” (F grade due to non-attendnace).

Grades, transcript information, drop/adds, withdrawals and other data perceived by the student to be in error must be protested by the student within one year from the date of occurence. Protests made after this time will not be reviewed unless approval is received from the vice president for Student Services and the vice president for Academic Affairs.

Graduation and Degree Requirements

Applications for graduation are processed through the department of Student Records Office. To be eligible for graduation and receive a degree or certificate from Walters State, 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). Transfer and Learning Support grades are not used in the student’s WS GPA calculation.

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. 

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 Student Support Services in SSB U130 or calling 423-585-6893. The Graduation Application is available on the Walters State Student Records webpage (Graduation Application) in the Student Records Office 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.   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 Exam. Students graduating with an AS or AAS in Computer Science are required to take the Computer Science Exit Exam. Students graduating with an AAS in Computer Information Technology (Networking or Programming) are required to take the Computer Science Exit Exam. Notification regarding tests dates will be provided by the appropriate division. Students may also be required to take other tests by the institution.

10.   Students graduating in the fall may attend the commencement exercises in December, unless special permission is granted by the Student Records Office. Students graduating at the end of the spring and summer semesters may attend the commencement exercises in May.

11.   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.

12.   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.

Earning a Second Degree

A second degree cannot be awarded under the same Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code as the first degree. Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Arts (AA) majors have the same CIP code. Associate degrees intended to transfer (AA, AS, AST, and AFA) are comprised of about 2/3 general education courses and 1/3 concentration and or elective courses, making these degrees closely related. 

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) typically have different CIP codes because they are not intended to transfer and have a higher number of concentration courses.

If a student pursues two AAS degrees, or an AA/AS/AST/AFA and an AAS degree, not only must the CIP codes be different, but there must be a minimum of 16 credit hour difference in the program. Check with the Student Records Office before pursuing a second degree to ensure it is allowed.

The following requirements must also be met to earn a second degree:

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 applicable semester hours must have been completed at Walters State beyond the requirements for the first associate’s degree.

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

d.  The minimum grade point average (GPA must be attained on all college-level coursework.

SPECIAL NOTE: 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.