Academic Information

Plan Your Educational Program

It is the responsibility of the student to select an educational program of study and register for and complete courses required in the selected program as outlined in this catalog. The faculty and counselors at Walters State Community College take pride in assisting the student in program planning and course selection. Each student will be advised by a faculty member from the department of the major field of study or the professional advisor from the division of the major field of study to assist in planning the student’s program of study.Should it be necessary to deviate from the suggested curriculum of courses, the student should contact the division in the major field of study or the professioal advisor from the division of the major field of study in order to prepare a course substitution request.

Programs of Study   

Transfer of Credit

It is the student’s responsibility to request transcripts from previous institutions. Students will need to follow the protocol of the prior institution to request transcripts. Upon arrival of a student’s transcript, the transcript will initially be checked by the Office of Enrollment Services for the school’s accreditation status. 

If the transcript is from a regionally accredited college: 

• The hours will be equated to semester hours. 
• The transcript will be reviewed using established equivalency tables, catalog course descriptions, and additional equivalency courses that have been approved by the division dean to determine appropriate transfer equivalency. 
• Additional courses needed for graduation or program requirements will be evaluated by the appropriate division dean. 
• Once the transcript is evaluated for transfer credit, the student will be notified by Student Enrollment Services via email. 

Any student planning to transfer the first two years of college level credit from Walters State to a four-year college or university should secure a copy of that institution’s catalog/articulation agreement/equivalency table/Tennessee Transfer Pathway and reflect upon it during advising and registration to ensure that the courses selected meet the first two years’ requirements at the receiving institution.

Please be advised that should there be a question regarding the transfer of credit from Walters State Community College by the four-year school, a copy of the transfer evaluation from the four-year school must be provided to a Student Success Center staff member for the purposes of discussing the course(s) in question.

For assistance regarding transfer of credit from Walters State to a four-year institution, please contact the Student Success Center, SSB U102, by telephone at 423-318-2337 or by visiting the Walters State web page at www.ws.edu.

Attendance Regulations

Students must attend the first day of class or contact the instructor prior to the first class if they intend to remain in the class. If this procedure is not followed, the students may be administratively dropped from the class, and other students allowed to take their positions. Students who are withdrawn from classes under this policy will receive a drop form marked “attendance withdrawal.”

Attendance at classes and other official appointments is required. A student’s schedule is considered a contract and constitutes a series of obligated appointments.

Absences are counted from the first scheduled meeting of the class. An explanation for the cause of all absences should be given each instructor. If possible, students should inform instructors in advance of planned absences.

Faculty establish class attendance and punctuality requirements, subject to state or federal laws, and inform students through the published syllabi for each course of those requirements, along with the consequences for failing to meet those requirements. Students are expected to attend classes regularly and on time and are responsible for giving explanations/rationale or absences and lateness directly to the faculty member for each course in which they are enrolled. The student remains responsible for verifying the emergency circumstances to faculty and for discussing arrangements with faculty for completion of course work requirements.

Academic and Classroom Misconduct

1. The classroom instructor has the primary responsibility for maintenance of academic integrity and controlling classroom behavior and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct. Extended or permanent exclusion from the classroom, beyond the session in which the conduct occurred, or further disciplinary action can be effected through the appropriate sanctioning procedures of the institution.
2. Disruptive behavior in the classroom may be defined as, but not limited to, behavior that obstructs or disrupts the learning environment (e.g., offensive language, harassment of students and professors, repeated outbursts from a student which disrupt the flow of instruction or prevent concentration on the subject taught, failure to cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum, etc.), text messaging, and the continued use of any electronic or other noise or light emitting device which disturbs others (e.g., disturbing noises from beepers, cell phones, Palm pilots, iPads, iPhones, or iPods, tablets or other mobile devices, lap-top computers, games, etc.).
3. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly, through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures, the instructor has the authority to assign an appropriate grade, including an “F” or “zero” for the exercise or examination, or to assign an “F” for the course. Disciplinary sanctions will be imposed only through the appropriate institutional student disciplinary processes.
4. Students may appeal a grade assignment associated with a finding of academic misconduct, as distinct from a student disciplinary sanction, through appropriate institutional academic misconduct or grade appeal procedures (Walters State Community College Policy 03:19:01). Courses may not be dropped pending the final resolution of an allegation of academic misconduct.
5. The student may appeal these sanctions through the appropriate institutional procedures. The section, Disciplinary Procedures, describes the institution’s disciplinary and appeal processes available to the student.
6. Academic Affairs Committee - The Academic Affairs Committee assigned to hear grade appeal cases consist of the following members:
   1. Assistant vice president for Academic Affairs - Chair
   2. All division deans
   3. One faculty member from each division
   4. Two students designated by the vice president for Student Affairs
   5. Curriculum Subcommittee Chair
   6. Faculty Senate president

Ex-Officio members:

1. Vice president for Student Affairs
2. Vice president for Institutional Effectiveness and Compliance
3. Dean of Distance Education
4. Assistant vice president for Student Affairs, Student Support Services and Disability
5. Dean of High School Programs
6. Dean of Student Records and Veterans Affairs Officer.

8. Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom - Classroom misconduct as a result of a student’s behavior definable under Disciplinary Offenses will follow Disciplinary Procedures.
   1. Disruptive behavior in the classroom will be initially addressed by the faculty member and the student through the Walters State Classroom Misconduct Report which addressed the behavior and expected change in behavior. The report is signed by both the faculty member and the student. A copy of the report is sent to the dean of the faculty member’s division, the vice president for Academic Affairs, the vice president for Student Affairs, and the campus police department.
   2. Should the student choose to appeal the misconduct report, or should the disruptive behavior continue, the student and faculty member will meet with the division dean regarding the behavior, who in turn will file a summary of his or her findings to the vice president for Academic Affairs and the vice president for Student Affairs. Action and appeals process will follow the procedures outlined in Disciplinary Procedures 04:17:03.
   3. Should the student desire to appeal the actions of the division dean, or should the disruptive behavior continue, the student, faculty member, and division dean will meet with the vice president for Academic Affairs and the vice president for Student Affairs for adjudication.
   4. Should a student choose to appeal the decision of the vice president for Academic Affairs and the vice president for Student Affairs they may elect to have their case heard by the Student Discipline Committee under the same procedures and timeline as described in section 3 under Disciplinary Procedures.

This policy is promulgated pursuant to, and in compliance with, TBR Rule 0240-02-03-.03 Academic and Classroom Misconduct. To the extent that a conflict exists between this policy and TBR rule, policy and/or applicable law(s), the TBR rule, policy and/or law will control. History - adopted by TBR: 12/8/11. Effective 1/29/12.

Student use of Electronic Devices During a College-Sponsored Academic Activity

Electronic devices must not disrupt the instructional process or college-sponsored academic activity. Use of electronic devices is prohibited unless use of the device is relevant to the activity and use is sanctioned by the faculty member in charge. Electronic devices that are not relevant to the activity or sanctioned by the faculty member in charge should be set so that they will not produce an audible sound during classroom instruction or other college-sponsored academic activity.

Animals on Campus Policy

This policy applies to animals classified as “pets” and “service animals” but does not apply to animals used for educational purposes.

This policy does not apply to the living quarters and support buildings that are assigned to college employees as a part of their employment contract.

Owners of animals permitted on campus are responsible for ensuring that their animal’s wastes are properly removed from the grounds and deposited in the trash or sanitary sewer. Modifications or exceptions will be made for persons with disabilities who are unable to comply with this requirement. 

I. Pet Animal

No pets or animals of any nature shall be permitted in any college facility unless authorized in writing by the institution, fish in aquariums of a designated size may be allowed.

Requests for the use of animals for educational purposes, other than research, or special events, i.e., cat and dog shows, etc., should be requested through the sponsor’s chain-of-authority to the Vice President for Business and Finance.

Wild, except for indigenous populations, or exotic animals are forbidden on campus except by special permission of the Vice President of Business and Finance, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

II. Service Animal

To provide equal opportunity to disabled individuals to obtain employment, education, and services from the college, it is the policy of Walters State Community College to allow and encourage disabled people to use service animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act Amended Act of 2008 (ADA) for Title II defines “service animals” as, “dogs” that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a service animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Service animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under ADA. If there is any uncertainty about whether an animal qualifies as a service animal, a determination will be made by the Office of Disability Services Disabilities)located in the Student Services Building Room U130; (423) 585-6893. The decision of the Office for Disability Services is final.

Use of service animals is subject to the conditions stated below. 

A service animal is permitted in all classrooms, offices, hallways, dormitories, eating facilities, museums, theaters, sports areas, auditoriums, and other sites on campus, provided that:

1. The animal is in a harness or kept on a leash. However, service animals kept in good control by a disabled person need not be in a harness or on a leash when in a disabled student’s own housing facility or at an employee’s own work station. Other exceptions to this policy are made on a case by case basis.
2. The animal is adequately controlled so as to present no undue noise or disruption to others.
3. The animal creates no danger of infection, transmission of disease, or other health problems to people. (Note: A well-controlled service animal creates no more of a health risk than a person, so it should be allowed in any areas as humans without special clothing or extensive hygiene requirements).
4. Individuals utilizing service animals on campus must register with the Office of Disability Services located in the Student Services Building (SSB) room 130U. Reasonable proof that the individual is legally disabled and that the service animal is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability should be provided to the Disability Office.
5. Service dogs in training. Consistent with Tennessee law, T. C. A.  § 62-7-112, Walters State allows service dogs in training to be admitted to facilities. Service dogs in training must be on a leash, be under the control of the raiser and wear a collar, leash, or other appropriate apparel or device that identifies the accredited school with which it is being raised. The trainer must present credentials for the dog issued by a school for dog training to the Office of Disability Services located in SSB U130.

The college and college employees or agents assume no responsibility for controlling, keeping, feeding, or otherwise caring for any service animal. The college and its employees assume no legal responsibilities for any injury or damage caused by a service animal. 

Job applicants and employees of the college shall not be discriminated against in any aspect of employment because of an individuals use of a service animal in conformance with this policy. Allowing the use of a service animal shall, in most cases, be a reasonable accommodation that allows an applicant or employee to qualify for the job in question. However, if the use of the service animal substantially interferes with the performance of essential job tasks, the accommodation may be re-evaluated.

No employee, agent, representative, student, or other person affiliated with Walters State Community College shall discriminate against an individual because of the use of a service animal in conformance with the requirements of this policy. No disabled person shall be prevented from entering, remaining, or using facilities of this college because of the use of a service animal, unless such use is not in conformance to the requirements of this policy.

Minors on Campus Policy

Walters State Community College is an institution of higher education and as such must preserve conditions that will permit a proper learning and working environment at all times. Thus, minor children must not be left unsupervised on campus. It is not the intent of this policy to prevent children in the accompaniment of an adult from visiting the campus. However, consideration for the learning environment of the student, the work routine of staff employees, and the safety of the children requires that children may not accompany adults into classrooms, offices, or other work spaces as a baby-sitting function nor be left unsupervised in the hallways of buildings or on the grounds of the college.

In certain circumstances, children may be on campus for classes held for their benefit (EDU Camps, field trips, etc.). At such times, it is expected that the instructor or responsible adult will supervise the activities of the children, and that before and after the class an area will be designated for the children to await the arrival of their parents. It is the responsibility of the supervisor/instructor of these activities to explain these restrictions to the children and to monitor the enforcement where feasible.

Semester - Course Hours Load

The recommended semester-hour load for the average student is 15 to 16 hours of credit. A student desiring to take more than 21 semester hours of course credit must receive approval prior to registration by completing an Overload Request form with approving signatures from the advisor, division dean, and the vice president for Academic Affairs.

Minimum Class Size

An undergraduate course will not normally be given for fewer than 15 students except by permission of the vice president for Academic Affairs. The college reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or combine classes when necessary.

Grading System

The following grading system is used at Walters State Community College.

The scholastic standing of a student is expressed in terms of quality point ratio. A quality point average (GPA) is the total number of quality points divided by the total number of semester hours attempted, less the number of hours repeated. To meet degree requirements, a student must maintain an overall quality point average of 2.00.

Other markings which may appear on the grade report and/or transcript are as follows:

The mark “I” (Incomplete) means that the student was passing at the end of the semester but had not completed all the course work. The student receiving an “I” should contact the instructor immediately in an effort to complete course requirements. The incomplete course requirements must be completed by a date agreed upon between the instructor and the student but no later than the drop deadline of the next semester (see the College Calendar 2020 - 2021 for specific dates). If the incomplete is not removed, it will be counted as an “F” and computed in the GPA.

The mark of “IP” (In Progress) is used only for learning support courses. It means the student has made satisfactory progress in a course but has not completely mastered the required competency levels. The “IP” is not computed in the quality point average and must be removed during the succeeding semester. If it is not removed the succeeding semester, it will be counted as an “F” and computed in the quality point average.

The mark of “P” means the student successfully completed a course but a grade was not assigned. Credit towards meeting graduating requirements is awarded for a “P” but this mark has no affect on the quality point average.

The mark of “NC” means No Credit. No quality points were awarded.

The mark of “W” means the student withdrew from a course. Withdrawal from a course does not affect the GPA. Withdrawals do count as attempted hours for financial aid purposes. The dates the student may withdraw are specified each semester in the Timetable of Classes. Permission to withdraw after that date must be recommended by the instructor and approved by the vice president for Academic Affairs.

The mark of “X” means the instructor is unable to complete the course evaluation due to reasons beyond the student’s control. Grades will be assigned when the evaluation is completed.

The marks of I (Include) or E (Exclude) are used to designate repeated courses and their impact on hours/GPA calculations.

Grade Protests

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.

Grade Appeals

Grades, transcript information, drop/adds, withdrawals and other data perceived by the student to be in error must be appealed by the student during the subsequent semester. Appeals made after this time will not be reviewed.

Grade Appeal Procedures

Students may appeal a course grade based on the following reasons:

1. Errors in calculation: The student appeals an error made in the mathematical calculations of graded material.
2. Errors in course practices: The student contends there is gross disparity between the course syllabus and the manner in which the course is conducted in regards to the treatment of the individual student.

Student should first attempt to resolve concerns by initial conference with the instructor.  The student must conference with the faculty member who assigned the grade within 45 calendar days from the day grades are released electronically to students through the official student information system.  If the concern is not resolved through this initial conference, the student may begin the formal grade appeal procedure following the process below.

Note: If the faculty member is not available during this 45 calendar day period, the student must contact the department head or dean to arrange for an alternate method for the faculty member to participate in this meeting.  Should the faculty member be permanently unavailable, the process will begin with the department head or dean as applicable to the division of the course where the grade appeal is being pursued.  This meeting must occur within 45 calendar days from the day grades are released electronically to students.

Procedures for Appeal

Once this initial conference is completed, the student may choose to file a grade appeal.  Below is the process that must be completed in the order presented within the specified times.  Steps 1 and 2 must be completed within 45 calendar days of the date grades are electronically released to students.  Steps 3 through 14 must be completed within the time period identified in that step.

1. The student must obtain the Student Grade Appeal Form from the Office of Academic Affairs or from the Academic Affairs page of the Walters State web site.  The student must complete Sections A and B (i.e. the top part of the form) of the Grade Appeal Form and must provide a written description detailing how the criteria for appeal have been met in his/her particular circumstance and attach this to the Grade Appeal Form.
2. The student must contact the instructor to set up a meeting to present the Grade Appeal Form and written description. The student must sign and date the completed form in the presence of the instructor at this meeting.  If the instructor is unavailable during this initial 45 calendar day period, the student will contact the department head or dean to arrange for an alternative method for the instructor to participate in this step of the process.  Should the faculty member be permanently unavailable, the process will begin with the department head or dean as applicable to the division of the course where the grade appeal is being pursued.

Steps 1 and 2 must be completed within 45 calendar days of the date grades are electronically released to students.  Steps 3 through 14 must be completed within the time period identified in that step.

3. The instructor must submit the response to the student within seven calendar days of the student’s signature.  The instructor must retain a copy of the Grade Appeal Form as well as a copy of the student’s written statement.
4. If the student chooses to continue the appeal process, the student is responsible to meet with the department head/dean within seven calendar days of the instructor’s signature on the Grade Appeal Form.  The student must submit the original Grade Appeal Form as well as the original written statement to the department head/dean at this meeting.  If there is no department head, skip to Step 8 of this process.
5. The department head/dean must notify all persons involved of the decision and submit the response to the student within seven calendar days of this meeting. The department head/dean must retain a copy of the Grade Appeal Form as well as a copy of the student’s written statement.
6. If the student chooses to continue the appeal process, the student is responsible to meet with the dean within seven calendar days of the department head’s (or instructor’s) signature on the Grade Appeal Form.   The student must submit the original Grade Appeal Form as well as the original written statement to the dean at this meeting.
7. The dean must notify all persons involved of the decision and submit the response to the student within seven calendar days of this meeting.  The dean must retain a copy of the Grade Appeal Form as well as copy of the student’s written statement.
8. If the student chooses to continue the grade appeal process, the student must submit a written request to the division dean to submit the original Grade Appeal Form along with the original written statement to the vice president for Academic Affairs.  This request must be made within seven calendar days of the dean’s signature on the Grade Appeal Form.
9. If the student chooses to continue the appeal process, the student is responsible to schedule a meeting with the vice president for Academic Affairs within seven calendar days of the dean’s signature on the Grade Appeal Form.
10. The response from the vice president for Academic Affairs must be communicated with all persons involved and submitted to the student within seven calendar days of this meeting.  The vice president for Academic Affairs must retain the original Grade Appeal Form as well as the original student’s written statement.  The vice president for Academic Affairs will give the student a copy of the Grade Appeal Form and a copy of the student’s written statement.
11. If the student chooses to continue the grade appeal process, the student must request the vice president for Academic Affairs to submit the Grade Appeal Form along with the original written statement to the Academic Affairs Committee.  This request must be made within seven calendar days of signature of the vice president for Academic Affairs on the Grade Appeal Form.
12. The Academic Affairs Committee will hear the appeal from the student at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The instructor will also have the opportunity to attend this meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Academic Affairs Committee will render a responsem, which will be communicated to all persons involved with this process. The Academic Affairs Committee appeal will consist of the student presenting his/her request to the committee and the instructor presenting his/her explanation of the situation. The student may not have anyone present with him/her nor to represent him/her during the grade appeal meeting. If the student or instructor chooses not to appear before the committee, a written request will be considered.
13. If the student chooses to continue the grade appeal process, the student must make a written request to the vice president for Academic Affairs to take the written appeal to the president. This request must be made within seven calendar days of decision of the Academic Affairs Committee.
14. The president will have seven calendar days to render a decision, which will be communicated to all persons involved with this process. The president’s decision is final.

The failure of the student to proceed from one level of the appeal procedure to the next level within the prescribed time limits shall be deemed to be an acceptance of the outcome previously rendered. All further considerations and proceedings regarding that particular appeal shall cease at that point.

Repeated Courses

For the purpose of increasing mastery in a course when such is necessary for successful performance in a subsequent course or for the purpose of increasing the GPA, a student may repeat a course provided the grade of “C” or lower was earned in the course to be repeated. The grade received in repeating the course supersedes all previous grades. The hours attempted for repeating a course are counted only once and credited in the semester in which the course was repeated. Students are permitted to repeat a course twice (three attempts) under the preceding condition. After three attempts, the grades in the third and subsequent attempts are used in calculating the quality point average.

Students may be permitted to repeat a course in which a grade of “B” or higher was earned only with the approval of the vice president for Academic Affairs.

Academic Fresh Start

Academic Fresh Start is a plan of academic forgiveness which allows undergraduate students to make a clean start upon returning to college after they have been separated from all institutions of higher education for a minimum of four (4) consecutive years.  Students seeking Academic Fresh Start may petition to have grades on all prior course work disregarded in calculating the cumulative GPA. Academic Fresh Start is a one-time opportunity. If a Fresh Start has been granted an any point in the student’s academic career, they cannot apply for Academic Fresh Start a second time.

To be eligible to apply for Academic Fresh Start at Walters State Community College, the student must:

• Be admitted or readmitted as a degree seeking student,
• Complete at least 12 credit hours of graded degree credit after returning to college, and
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA for all work attempted since admission/readmission.
• A 2.0 GPA is also required for all transfer coursework.

Upon the completion of 12 hours at Walters State with a 2.00 cumulative GPA, the students seeking Academic Fresh Start must complete an application for Academic Fresh Start, which may be obtained from the Counseling and Testing Center, SSB U141. The completed application will be reviewed by the Executive Director of Counseling and Testing, the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. If Academic Fresh Start is granted, all course work designated for exclusion by the student on the Fresh Start application will not be counted toward graduation requirements but will remain on the student’s transcript. The grades associated with the excluded courses will be excluded from the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA).

Previously satisfied Learning Support (DSP) requirements will not be forfeited; however, Fresh Start recipients who did not satisfy Learning Support (DSP) requirements at the time of previous enrollment and whose academic plan includes completion of a college-level English, mathematics or reading-intensive course must meet current Learning Support requirements regarding enrollment in these academic areas.

A student who plans to transfer to a non-TBR institution after graduating from Walters State, should contact that institution to determine the impact of Academic Fresh Start prior to implementing the program at Walters State. If assistance is needed, a student should contact Counseling and Testing.

Honors List

President’s List: 4.00 average for 12 or more semester hours per semester in regular college level work earned at WSCC.

Dean’s List: 3.50-3.99 average for 12 or more semester hours per semester in regular college level work earned at WSCC.

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). Transfer and Learning Support grades are not used.
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 (Graduation Application), 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 and the degrees must have different CIP (Classification of Instructional Program) codes.  See below.
10. The State of Tennessee requires graduates to take a 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 AAS or AS in Computer Science 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.
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.

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.

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

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

e.  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.

Graduation Honors

Awards and honors are based on the overall grade point average. Students graduating with the following quality point averages will receive the corresponding honor designations on their diplomas:

Misrepresentation of Credentials

It is a Class A misdemeanor to misrepresent academic credentials. A person commits the offense of misrepresentation of academic credentials who, knowing that the statement is false and with the intent to secure employment at or admission to an institution of higher education in Tennessee, represents, orally or in writing that such person:

1. Has successfully completed the required course work for and has been awarded one (1) or more degrees or diplomas from an accredited institution of higher education;
2. Has successfully completed the required course work for and has been awarded one (1) or more degrees or diplomas from a particular institution of higher education; or
3. Has successfully completed the required course work for and has been awarded one (1) or more degree or diplomas in a particular field or specialty from an accredited institution of higher education.

Distance Education

Purpose

The Instructional Department of Educational Advancement and Success (IDEAS) coordinates academic credit courses at all campuses taught by adjunct faculty; those taught by all faculty at all campuses during evening hours; and courses in the TN eCampus program. All these courses are consistent with the college’s overall mission to provide accessible, affordable, quality educational opportunities to the college’s students. IDEAS strives to offer courses utilizing varying modes of delivery to provide accessible and engaging courses for the college’s students. The college’s modes of delivery designated as Distance Education include video streaming, hybrid, WS web-based (online), and desktop video courses. 

Admission Requirements and Commitment to Instruction

Admission requirements for distance education students are identical with requirements for students in the regular daytime program. The quality of instruction governing credit courses offered during the evening at all campus locations is equivalent in all academic considerations to all campus day classes.

In order to respond to community needs, IDEAS welcomes suggestions and requests for arranging credit courses on any campus during the evening or teaching locations. The office is located in Room 108-CCEN, telephone 423-585-6996.

Evening Classes

A variety of evening classes are offered as listed online at www.ws.edu. Evening classes are defined as classes that begin at 4 p.m. or later.

Services available on campus during select hours each evening include those offered by Senators Central, the Counseling Center, the office of Business Affairs, the Library, Information and Educational Technologies, the Student Success Center, and the Bookstore. IDEAS is open each evening until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday on the days classes are in session.

Evening courses are available at each campus location (Morristown, Claiborne, Niswonger, Sevier) as well as other off-campus locations. Students may view a complete list of these courses in the semester-specific timetables location on the college’s website: https://www.ws.edu/admissions/registration/

Dual Enrollment

For information regarding dual enrollment admissions criteria, registration processes, and paperwork related to Walters State’s Dual Enrollment program, visit the website at https://www.ws.edu/academics/distance-ed/dual-enrollment/ 

Walters State specifically subscribes to the concept of accessibility by extending credit classes through various campus locations as part of the delivery system. As a convenience to students, classes are organized and scheduled in locations conducive to enrollment. As a normal procedure, academic courses at all campus locations are listed by location online at www.ws.edu. In order to determine the availability of classes at each of the campus locations, students are advised to examine closely the listings of classes by location.

Student Complaints

Related to Accreditation or Violations of State Law

Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of state law not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint Form to the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1 Bridgestone Park, Nashville, TN 37214, or by going online and filing out the form electronically at (https://www.tbr.edu/contacts/submitting-comment-complaint-or-request). Under Tennessee’s open records law, all or parts of complaints - except confidential reports of fraud, waste or abuse - will generally be available for review upon request from a member of the public.

Complaints regarding accreditation can also be made by contacting the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033, telephone: 404-679-4500, web: (http://www.sacscoc.org/).

Complaints of fraud, waste or abuse may be made by completing the electroic form at (https://www.tbr.edu/contacts/submitting-comment-complaint-or-request) or by calling the Tennessee Comptroller’s Hotline for Fraud, Waste and Abuse at 800-232-5454.

Related to Non-Tennessee Resident Students in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement States, commonly known as SARA

Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws that involve distance learning education offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution (see section entitled Related to Student Issues for procedures for filing student complaints with Walters State Community College).

Complainants not satisfied with the outcome of the Institution’s internal process may appeal, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the Tennessee HigherEducation Commission(https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/request-for-complaint-review.html).

For purposes of this process, a complaint shall be defined as a formal assertion in writing that the terms of SARA or the laws, standards or regulations incorporated by the SARA Policies and Standards (http://www.nc-sara.org/content/sara-manual) have been violated by the institution operating under the terms of SARA.

For a list of SARA member States, please visit the NC-SARA website(https://www.nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions). Students residing in non-SARA states should consult their respective State of residence for further instruction for filing a complaint.

Related to Student Issues

Walters State has established procedures for receiving and responding to student’s issues and complaints. Grade appeals are resolved through the process detailed under the Grade Appeals section. Academic integrity violations are reviewed jointly by the vice presidents for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. All other student complaints including: student discipline, disclosure of student records,  and disability accommodations are resolved through the vice president for Student Affairs. Sexual harassment complaints and complaints of racial harassment and discrimination are handled by the vice president for Student Affairs and the College’s Equity Officer, following TBR Guideline P-080. If a student has any question about the applicable procedure to follow for a particular complaint, they should consult with the vice president for Student Affairs. In particular, the vice president for Student Affairs should advise a student if some other procedure is applicable to the type of complaint a student has expressed.

Initially, students are encouraged to attempt to resolve complaints informally with the appropriate faculty or staff member, director, department head, assistant dean, dean, or vice president to facilitate an informal resolution.Ifinformalresolutionisunsuccessful,orifthe studentdoesnot pursue information resolution, the student may file a written complaint to the vice president for Student Affairs.
 

1. The written complaint to the vice president for Student Affairs shall be filed within 30 calendar days of the alleged issue unless there is good cause shown for delay,including but not limited to delay caused by an attempt at informal resolution. The written complaint shall be specific as possible in describing the issue of complaint.
2. The vice president for Student Affairs shall promptly notify the individual(s) of the complaint filed against him/her/them, with emphasis on stating that the filing of thecomplaint does not imply any wrongdoing has occurred and that he/she/they (the defendant) must not retaliate in any way against the student who has filed thecomplaint.
3. Once the written complaint is received and reviewed, the vice president for Student Affairs will consult with the appropriate vice presidents, dean, directors,department heads, faculty and/orstaff.
4. The vice president for Student Affairs shall separately interview the complaining student, the alleged perpetrator and other persons to the extent necessary to conduct the investigation. If the vice president believes it would be helpful, he or she may meet again with the student and the alleged perpetrator after completing the investigationin an effort to resolve the matter. The complainant and the defendant have the right to have a representative (student government representative or attorney) present during the initial meeting, the interview and any post-investigationmeeting.
5. At the conclusion of the investigation, the vice president for Student Affairs shall issuea written report setting forth his or her findings and recommendations. In ordinary cases, it is expected that the investigation and written report should be completed within 30 days of the date the complaint wasfiled.
6. If either the student or the alleged perpetrator is not satisfied with the report of thevice president for Student Affairs, the student or defendant may file a written appeal to the college president within 10 calendar days of receiving the report. The president may choose to establish an Appeals Committee to review the findings of the report by the vice president for Student Affairs. The Appeals Committee may or may not choose to conduct another investigation following the review of the written report. The Appeals Committee shall make their recommendation to the president within 20 calendar days of receiving theappeal.
7. After the president’s review, if the complaint is still not resolved, the student will be advised that he/she can contact the State Postsecondary Program Review office at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission at 615-741-3605.
8. In the event the complaint filed by the student relates to a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) issue, complaints of violation by the institution may be filed with the Office of the Secretary, United States Department of Education.

Claiborne County Campus

Purpose

The Claiborne County Campus serves as part of the college’s overall mission to provide leadership and academic opportunities to its entire service area. The campus offers day and evening academic credit classes and non-credit classes/training in cooperation with the Division of Workforce Training. Classes provide lifelong learning opportunities to individuals seeking to attain career and personal-development goals. To further its commitment to community responsiveness, the campus cooperates with other community agencies to provide training facilities for groups with specific needs. Video conference, video stream, and web-based courses along with face-to-face instructional delivery methods are utilized to bring a full range of classes to this rural area.

The Claiborne County Campus is at 1325 Claiborne Street in Tazewell. The facility contains four general academic classrooms, two science labs, a computer science classroom/lab, two video-streaming classrooms, and a testing/study computer lab. In addition to administrative offices and a student lounge area, the facility has an auditorium with a seating capacity of more than 550. General education courses as well as select technology courses are available to over 400 students.

The campus continues to expand in response to community needs. Space is provided for WIOA (American Job Center), LPN program (TCAT Morristown), and the GED/HiSet program (TCAT Knoxville). The campus hosts various community groups and agencies for meetings and training events. For information, call the campus at 423-851-4761.

Niswonger Campus

Purpose

The WSCC Niswonger Campus (formerly Greeneville/Greene County Campus) serves as an extension of the main campus in Morristown offering both credit and non-credit courses to the citizens of Greeneville, Greene County, and the college’s ten-county service area of upper East Tennessee. The campus allows students who are geographically remote from the main campus to take classes closer to their homes. 

The college’s general education core classes are available at this campus, and it also provides several classes for certificate programs. The Niswonger Campus is home to the East Tennessee Regional Law Enforcement Academy, which runs four 9-week programs annually. This campus also offers health profession degrees in the following areas: Respiratory Care, Nursing, and Occupational Therapy Assistant. Classrooms for Walters State’s Workforce Training Division and Greeneville’s GED/HiSet program are also located here. 

Approximately 1000 students are served by the WSCC Niswonger Campus, which is equipped with twenty smart classrooms, five ZOOM room classrooms, a tutoring lab, and a state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab. In addition to its instructional space, the building contains several areas for students to meet and study. There is an outdoor pergola and a 100-seat amphitheater as well as an indoor, 202-seat lyceum at the campus. Meeting space is available for community events Monday through Thursday. 

The campus is at 221 North College Street in downtown Greeneville. The facility was renamed the Niswonger Campus and dedicated on September 26, 2019. For information, call 423-798-7940 or email niswongercampus@ws.edu.  More information about the campus may also be found on our official Facebook and Instagram accounts. 

Sevier County Campus

Purpose

The Sevier County Campus seeks to promote lifelong learning, as part of the college’s overall mission, by responding to changing community needs and providing opportunities for enhancing the quality of life throughout the service area. Walters State’s campus, located in Sevierville, strives to offer all classes in the general education core and technical education courses during the day and evening for many degree and certificate programs. Additionally, the office of Community and Economic Development provides non-credit (CEU) classes/training to individuals seeking to attain career or personal development goals. Specialized programs in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management and Professional Entertainment are provided to address the unique educational needs of Sevier County and its surrounding communities.

The 67-acre Sevier County Campus is located at 1720 Old Newport Highway in Sevierville approximately one-half mile from Highway 411. Currently three buildings, made available through the generous support of the governmental bodies and private contributions of citizens in Sevier County, house a variety of general education and select technology courses. Available in Maples-Marshall Hall are general education classrooms, computer laboratories, science laboratories, a nursing skills laboratory and faculty and administrative offices. Classes in Allied Health, Public Safety, Natural Science and Computer Science and Information Technology are located in Maples-Marshall Hall. Cates-Cutshaw Hall houses 13 general education classrooms, two computer laboratories, a student study area, faculty, and administrative offices. Courses offered through the Behavioral/Social Science, Humanities, and Mathematics divisions are based in this building. The Conner-Short Center provides space for general education classes, professional entertainment, business, and culinary arts. This state-of-the-art facility has, in addition to general education classrooms, a dance studio, band room, private music practice rooms, a hot foods production kitchen, a demonstration kitchen, main dining room, student dining room, and administrative offices. Each of the buildings has the latest video streaming and instructional technology equipment in classrooms and public spaces. This campus serves over 1300 students per semester. Local information can be obtained by calling 865-774-5800.

Cocke County Extension

Both general education and technology courses are offered during late afternoon and evening hours on the campuses of Cocke County High School and Ben Hooper Vocational School. Students desiring local information should call 423-585-6996.

Hawkins County Extension

Both general education and technology courses are offered during evening hours in Hawkins County primarily at Cherokee High School. Students desiring information should call 423-585-6996.

Other Distance Learning Opportunities

The division of Distance Education also offers other learning opportunities for students who may not wish to travel to the campus for all classes. Types of distance learning opportunities are: video streaming, hybrid, desktop video, WS web-based (online), and college express courses.

Video streaming courses (TWY) follow traditional class meeting schedules, while providing students the opportunity to attend class sessions at one of Walters State’s campuses (Claiborne County, Niswonger, Morristown, or Sevier County). Video streaming courses are good choices for students who may be unable to travel to multiple campuses. Instructors deliver instruction from one of the four campuses to students at one or more of the other campuses. Students are able to interact synchronously in real-time with the instructor and students at the other sites via video streaming technology.technology.

Hybrid Courses (HYB) follow traditional meeting schedules in addition to offering students the opportunity to complete a portion of the coursework via the Internet and eLearn. Hybrid classes are good choices for students who need to limit the number of trips to campus, but also prefer some face-to-face contact with classmates and the instructor. Students may access the internet through campus WiFi and computer facilities at the college’s library on the Morristown, Niswonger, and Sevierville, campuses or anywhere else they have Internet access. The College is not responsible for obtaining or maintaining students’ individual equipment or software for accessing the internet.

Hybrid Labs (HYB) require students to come to campus on set times and days to complete work in-person.  Online experiments may also be used.

Desktop Video Courses (DVC) follow traditional meeting schedules as described in the Schedule Planner and the course syllabus through virtual meeting platforms. Desktop Video classes are a good choice for students who need to take classes off campus but also need the structure of the classroom environment. To complete all requirements for these courses, students have reliable access to the Internet via a DSL or higher broadband connection. Minimum requirements include: a computer with a webcam, a speaker, and a microphone, or students will need a tablet. A USB headset with microphone and ear buds are recommended for use with mobile devices. Students may access the Internet through campus WiFi and computer facilities at the college’s library on the Morristown, Niswonger, and Sevierville campuses or anywhere else they have Internet access. The College is not responsible for obtaining or maintaining students’ individual equipment or software for accessing the Internet.

Desktop Video Labs (DVC) require students to complete some work in real-time, virtual class settings using virtual meeting platforms. Online experiments maywill also be used.

WS Web-based (online) courses provide the opportunity to complete coursework via the Internet and eLearn. Online courses are a good choice for self-motivated, self-directed students who need a flexible course schedule. To complete all requirements for these courses, students must have reliable Internet access via a DSL or higher broadband connection. Students may access the Internet through campus WiFi and computer facilities at the college’s library on the Morristown, Niswonger, and Sevierville campus, or anywhere else they have Internet access. The college is not responsible for obtaining or maintaining students’ individual equipment or software for accessing the Internet.

R. Jack Fishman Library

Purpose

The Library provides physical and digital information resources to meet the teaching and learning needs of students, faculty, staff, and community members at all campus and online locations; develops a collection of physical and digital resources that supports the College’s diverse curriculum; teaches information literacy skills to enhance student learning outcomes at Walters State Community College.

The Library staff provides orientation and professional consultation in the utilization of facilities and services. Assistance is provided to faculty, students and the community in the selection of books, electronic journals, and other related instructional materials. The Library has an Information Center which has been designated as an open academic lab for Walters State students. This lab is equipped with computer-related technology including academic software.

Located on the north end of the campus, the Library provides an atmosphere conducive for the pursuit of knowledge.  To ensure that the educational purposes and objectives are met, the Library strives to achieve the following:

1. Provide students a place to pursue academic and leisure interests.
2. Provide academic materials to the faculty and students.
3. Provide assistance to the faculty in the selection of academic materials for educational programs.
4. Provide bibliographic instructional programs emphasizing academic resources for the curriculum.
5. Provide reference and advisory services to students and faculty working on Library-related academic research.
6. Provide electronic access to academic materials to students and faculty on a 24/7 basis.
7. Provide Internet access for students.
8. Provide the Catron Art Gallery for students and the community in cooperation with the Humanities division.
9. Provide group study rooms for academic use.

Information and Educational Technologies (IET)

The office of Information and Educational Technologies’ (IET) primary focus is to support academic and administrative areas of the college for all technology needs. IET is focused on providing superior consulting services and the latest technology for students, staff, and faculty. IET is comprised of four distinct areas that support Administrative Computing, Infrastructure Systems, Internet and Online Systems, and User Services. The directors and managers of these areas provide valuable expertise and direction to develop tools for the ever-changing learning environment. Students, faculty and staff are provided with the latest in personal computing technology hardware and software to enrich the academic process and prepare students for career and workplace opportunities.

The Administrative Computing group supports the student, financial and human resource systems for the college. This group ensures that the necessary systems which provide support for students relating to registration, financial aid, and records are available and maintained appropriately. 

The Infrastructure Systems group provides support for all infrastructure technology services. This includes network and Internet access, student and employee email, account management, server systems, storage systems, telephone systems, and information security. This group provides and supports full coverage wireless access so students can access online instruction from almost any location on all of our campuses. 

The Internet and Online System group provides support for web services, web development, mobile applications and cloud-based systems. This group provides the technical support and oversight of the eLearn web-based course environment. Solutions developed and supported by this group are in use by all students and employees across the college for academic and administrative functions.

The User Services group provides direct services to the campus community and is the first point of contact for all technology needs. The User Services group maintains the technology Help Desk and ensures that issues are resolved quickly and effectively. This group leads the institution’s efforts to provide the latest multimedia instructional technology. This includes smart rooms and video streaming rooms for instructional purposes as well as video conferencing and webcasts. This allows students to plan and customize their course work to save time, travel, and money. Additionally, staff members provide audio and video services to assist with many student, employee, and community-related events.  

EDUC 1030 The College Experience

Walters State Community College is committed to student success. TBR institutions have the option of requiring student-success courses. All degree-seeking students, both full- and part-time, with co-requisite learning support placements are required to enroll in EDUC 1030 The College Experience, a 3-credit hour college-level course, in their first semester. The inclusion of EDUC 1030 The College Experience adds 3 semester hours to most degree concentrations. However, it is not specific to any degree concentration and should, therefore, be viewed as a condition of enrollment.

Certificate and non-degree seeking students are exempt from this requirement unless the student has learning support placements and elects to enroll in co-requisite English, college-level mathematics, or a reading-intensive course.

University Parallel Programs

Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science in Teaching and Associate of Science Degrees

Articulation and Transfer

Students who intend to earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree at a four-year college or university may complete the first two years at Walters State by enrolling in the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Science in Teaching (AST) or Tennessee Transfer Pathways (TTP) degree programs. The administration, faculty, and staff at Walters State work closely with the student and neighboring colleges and universities to help ensure smooth and accurate transfer. Course-by-course equivalency tables and articulation agreements with some four-year colleges and universities have been developed to ease transfer and assist the student and advisor with academic program development. To view transfer tables and to see articulation agreements go to www.ws.edu, click on Student Services and then click on Student Success Center for additional information. Students following an articulation agreement must complete the Intent to Articulate Form in the Student Success Center and must graduate from Walters State Community College in order to have the agreement honored.

In addition to course equivalency tables and articulation agreements, Walters State participates in the Tennessee Transfer Pathways (TTP) Degree Program, whereby community college students complete an AA, AFA, or AS degree at Walters State by following a very specific TTP plan where an associate’s degree is earned, and then transfer to any participating four year state or private school in the state of Tennessee for BS or BA degree completion. Please refer to the following website for additional program information and details: www.tntransferpathway.org.

If no program articulation agreement is available for a particular school or major, students may choose to follow one of the university parallel curriculum guides (Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts or Associate of Science degree programs.) These “guides” are suggested courses of study designed to include general education and foundation courses needed for a major in a particular field at the baccalaureate level. Because each school has different requirements, the curriculum guides are not intended to represent requirements for any particular four-year college or university. Students should consult a copy of the catalog of the senior institution to which they plan to transfer and use it during advisement and registration to make sure that the courses selected meet the first two years’ requirements at that institution. Substitutions to meet requirements at a specific institution may be requested through the advisor provided the requirements for the Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, or the Associate of Science degrees are met. All Walters State students are advised and encouraged to complete the associate degree prior to continuing their education elsewhere.

General Education Core Requirements

Effective Fall Semester 2004, each institution in the College System of Tennessee (The Tennessee Board of Regents System) will share a common lower-division general education core curriculum of forty-one (41) semester hours for the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees. Lower-division means freshman and sophomore courses. The courses comprising the general education curriculum are contained within the following subject categories:

Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees *

Associate of Fine Arts Degree

Associate of Science in Teaching

*Foreign language courses are an additional requirement for the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degrees. The A.A. degree requires proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to completion of one year of college-level work.

**Six hours of English Composition and three hours in English oral presentational communication are required.

***Students who lack the required one unit (one year) of American History from high school as an admissions requirement must complete six semester hours of American History or three semester hours of American History and three semester hours of Tennessee History to fulfill the history requirement in general education. Otherwise, students may choose from among the history courses approved at a particular institution to fulfill the six-semester hour requirement in history.

****Students in the Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) programs complete 26 hours of program specific coursework and complete their 41 general education requirements at the senior institution.

Although the courses designated by Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institutions to fulfill the requirements of the general education subject categories vary, transfer of the courses is assured through the following means:

• Upon completion of an A.A., A.S. or A.S.T. degree, the requirements of the lower-division general education core will be complete and accepted by a public Tennessee university in the TTP transfer process.
• If an A.A., A.S. or A.S.T. is not obtained, transfer of general education courses will be based upon fulfillment of complete subject categories. (Example: If all eight hours in the category of Natural Sciences are complete, then this “block” of the general education is complete.) When a subject category is incomplete, course-by-course evaluation will be conducted. The provision of block fulfillment pertains also to students who transfer among TBR institutions.
• Institutional/departmental requirements of the grade of “C” will be honored. Even if credit is granted for a course, any specific requirements for the grade of “C” by the receiving institution will be enforced. Additionally, A.S.T. graduates must attain a 2.75 cumulative grade point average, possess an ACT composite score of 22 or higher or successfully complete the Praxis I, with a score of satisfactory on an index of suitability rating scale for the teaching profession.
• In certain majors, specific courses must be taken also in general education. It is important that students and advisors be aware of any major requirements that must be fulfilled under lower-division general education.

Courses designated to fulfill general education requirements by Walters State Community College are listed in the General Education section of this catalog. A complete listing of the courses fulfilling general education requirements for all system institutions is available on the TBR website www.tbr.state.tn.us under Transfer and Articulation Information.

*Programs in Natural Science and Mathematics may have more than forty-one (41) general education hours due to specific program requirements.

Associate of Applied Science and Academic/Technical Certificate Programs

Walters State offers associate of applied science degree and academic/technical certificate programs which prepare students for a specialized career. These programs are designed for the student who desires to enter employment upon graduation and does not intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Associate of Applied Science

Associate of Applied Science degree programs are designed to prepare students for immediate employment in a specialized area.

1. All component requirements are outcome oriented.
2. Degree major requirements are composed of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours.
3. The technical specialty component of the  technical degree major consists of a minimum of 36 semester credit hours.
4. Minimum requirements as stipulated by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges are that each technical degree program contain 15-17 semester credit hours of general education. Each technical degree program at Walters State contains a minimum of 15 hours in general education courses.

Academic/Technical Certificate

Programs leading to academic/technical certificates are offered in response to the various training needs of business and industry. Program standards are determined primarily by the training needs of business and industry and depict skill proficiency in a particular employment area.

Notes

• See General Education courses.
• A student interested in transferring to a baccalaureate degree program should see an advisor at Walters State and/or contact the appropriate department at the transfer institution for specifics. A student admitted to a technical education program is not required to complete high school units of study required for the student who plans to attend a university. If a technical degree program student later decides to attend a state university, the high school deficiencies must be made up prior to being admitted to the university.
• Credit hours earned in remedial or learning support courses are institutional credit; they are not applicable to credit hours required for an associate degree or academic/technical certificate.

General Education

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Tennessee Board of Regents general education core is to ensure that college graduates have the broad knowledge and skills to become lifelong learners in a global community that will continue to change. Because course requirements in general education emphasis breadth, they are not reduced to the skills, techniques or procedures associated with a specific occupation or profession. As a fundamental element of the associate degree, the general education core is essential for full completion of all degrees.

General education provides critical thinking skills enabling students to discover authoritative answers to questions, and to solve challenging problems. Specifically, educated people practice and are literate in many forms of communication. They recognize their place in the history, culture, and diverse heritage of Tennessee, the United States, and the world. They appreciate the web of commonality of all humans in a multicultural world and are prepared for the responsibilities of engaged citizenship. They recognize the ethical demands of modern life. They demonstrate the skills and knowledge of the social and behavioral sciences to analyze contemporary society. They are familiar with the history and aesthetics of the fine arts. They understand and practice the scientific and mathematical view of the world.

Finally, Tennessee’s general education core provides for its citizens the means to make a better living. It also, perhaps, above all, enables its citizens to have a better life.

Competencies

Students completing the general education core will minimally demonstrate competencies in each of the following areas:

1. The ability to write clear, effective academic argument that includes the academic research skills of critical reading and gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and transmitting information.
2. The ability to communicate orally through informing, persuading, listening and relating to others.
3. The ability to analyze/discuss/and use quantitative information, demonstrate a reasonable level of facility in mathematical problem solving and recognize connections between mathematics and other disciplines.

Walters State Web-Based (Online) Courses

Many courses required to complete the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees at Walters State can be taken as web-based (online) courses. Web-based (online) courses offer students the opportunity to complete all or part of the work for a particular course via the Internet. Most online courses do not require any on-campus meetings. Any on-ground orientation in an online course will be noted in the course notes located in the student’s MyWS account along with the date, location, and time of orientation. Any proctored exam will be noted in the course notes located in the student’s MyWS account along with the date, location, and times, as well as whether the proctored exam is delivered on-ground or online. To complete all requirements for these courses, students must be able to access the Internet. Students may access the Internet through computer facilities at the college’s library on the Morristown campus or at other campuses located in Greeneville, Sevierville, and Tazewell, or secure access on their own. The college is not responsible for obtaining or maintaining students’ individual equipment or software for accessing the Internet. A list of web based courses offered for a particular semester and required on-campus meeting schedules can be accessed at http://ws.edu/yourws/current/.

TN eCampus 

TN eCampus Courses are 100% online, web courses with no on-ground or virtual class meeting requirements. On-ground or virtually proctored exams may be required. Online programs and courses are offered by Tennessee institutions, across the state. These online programs and courses are equivalent to those offered at physical campus locations. No differentiation is made between online and on-ground delivery on transcripts or diplomas. All participating institutions are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) or the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Many programs have additional discipline-specific national accreditation status. Students may register for TNeCampus courses through working with an advisor.

Students complete courses using the TBR TN eCampus learning management system, which can be found here[SDL1]. To complete all requirements for these courses, students must have reliable internet access via a DSL or higher broadband connection. Students may access the internet through campus WiFi and computer facilities at the Morristown, Niswonger, and Sevier County campuses or anywhere else they have internet access. The college is not responsible for obtaining or maintaining students’ individual equipment or software for accessing the internet. For detailed information go to: http://www.tnecampus.info.

Academic Enrichment

Purpose

The office of Academic Enrichment provides administration and leadership for the college’s learning support program and honors program relative to meeting the institution’s stated mission. These programs are guided in meeting the specific academic needs of its student constituency by a well-defined statement of purpose consistent with the overall mission of the college.

Learning Support

The Learning Support program provides assistance to students in developing those academic and social skills necessary for the successful completion of college work. Courses and activities are designed for students who lack minimum skills, as defined by the Tennessee Board of Regents (Policy 2.03.00.02), in reading comprehension, writing communication, and mathematical computation. Services provided include academic assessment and placement, advising and accelerated summer programs. This department is decentralized and integrated throughout the academic and student affairs units. Students are encouraged to seek additional information regarding learning support from the office of Academic Enrichment, CCEN 215, 423-585-6914.

• Any student who does not meet the TBR minimum ACT/SAT or ACCUPLACER Next Generation exam score must enroll in co-requisite Learning Support coursework.
• First-time freshmen without transfer coursework, and without entrance placement scores are automatically placed in Learning Support reading, writing, and mathematics in accordance with TBR policy. 

TBR Minimum Scores

• Students who complete all five SAILS math modules with a score of 70% or higher are not required to enroll in Learning Support mathematics. However, students with low ACT/SAT math subscores may be required to complete additional mathematics courses as pre-requisites to upper division college-level mathematics courses. Refer to the Course Description section for more information regarding mathematics enrollment requirements.

Mathematics Program

The Learning Support Mathematics program, a part of the Mathematics Division, assists students in developing the ability to perform mathematical computations, use measurements, make estimates and approximations, judge reasonableness of results, formulate and solve mathematical problems, select appropriate approaches and problem-solving tools, and use elementary concepts of probability and statistics. The Learning Support Mathematics co-requisite course is intended for students who need additional preparation in mathematics. This course is not intended for transfer nor does the course satisfy degree-credit requirements for any associate degree or technical certificate program. 

Learning Support Mathematics

Students who enroll in the Learning Support Mathematics co-requisite course must also enroll in the college-level mathematics course appropriate for the individual student’s program of study or students may enroll in EDUC 1030 – The College Experience, as a co-requisite option. Each co-requisite course sequence equates to 6.0 credit hours. Refer to the Course Description section for a complete listing of course descriptions and credit hours.

• MATH 0030 - Mathematics Learning Support

Reading Program

The Learning Support Reading program, a part of the Humanities Division, assists students in developing the ability to read effectively, recognize different purposes and methods of writing, differentiate personal opinions and assumptions from a writer’s, use texts and reference materials, and develop a functional college-level vocabulary. The Learning Support Reading co-requisite course helps students develop the ability to read effectively at a level necessary to successfully complete college level studies. This course is not intended for transfer nor does it satisfy degree-credit requirements for any associate degree or technical certificate program. 

Learning Support Reading

Students who enroll in the Learning Support Reading co-requisite course must also enroll in COMM 2025 — Fundamentals of Communication. This co-requisite course sequence equates to 6.0 credit hours. Refer to the Course Description section for a complete listing of course descriptions and credit hours.

• READ 0800 - Learning Support Reading

Writing Program

The Learning Support Writing program, a part of the Humanities Division, assists students in developing the ability to write effectively utilizing standard English, vary writing style, and improve the ability to gather information. The Learning Support co-requisite writing course is intended for students who need additional preparation in writing and spelling. This course is not intended for transfer nor does it satisfy degree-credit requirements for any associate degree or technical certificate program.  

Learning Support Writing

Students who enroll in the Learning Support Writing co-requisite course must also enroll in ENGL 1010 - Composition I. This co-requisite course sequence equates to 5.0 credit hours.

• ENGL 0804 - Learning Support Writing IV

English as a Second Language (ESL)

The ESL program offers support to students whose first language is not English and is designed to help ESL students overcome language and cultural barriers while increasing access to higher education. Support includes tutoring services, additional resources, advising, and ESL courses. Refer to the Course Description section for credit hour and course description information.

• ESL 0801 - English as a Second Language

Assessment and Testing

The Assessment and Testing program is a part of the organizational areas of Counseling and Testing and Student Services. The program identifies students deficient in one or more of the areas of reading, English, or mathematics and assesses appropriate students for placement.

The office of the program director provides a broad range of academic and student servicesincluding counseling-related services for academic and personal guidance, learning support, transitional, and emotional concerns. 

Honors Program

The purpose of the Honors Program is to enhance academic excellence by providing an enriched curriculum and educational experience for superior students desiring to intensify their academic pursuits. Honor students will experience the highest level of academic challenge and quality from dedicated faculty who share a commitment of excellence in teaching and service.

Honors Program Application Eligibility - Terms and Conditions

To apply for admission to the Walters State Campus Honors Program,

• First-time freshmen must have an ACT composite score of 24 or higher or SAT composite equivalent with no Learning Support placements.
• Continuing students may apply for admission after one or more semesters at Walters State. Continuing student applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in 12 or more college-level hours and no unsatisfied Learning Support placements.
• Transfer students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in 12 or more transferable college-level hours or an ACT/SAT composite score of 24 or higher (score must be less than 5 years old) may also apply.

Honors Program Benefits

• To apply for any federal, state, or local public benefit associated with the Honors Program, the applicant must verify that they are a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States. See the Admissions and Records section for more information regarding documentation requirements.

Satisfactory Progress and GPA Minimum Standards

To maintain good standing in the program, Honors students must:

• Earn honors course credit each semester, preferably 6 hours per term or a minimum of 9 credit hours in each academic year (fall/spring).
• Maintain a 3.25 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) per year, and
• Earn a 2.8 or higher grade point average each semester. Grades are monitored each term.

Failure to remain in good standing according to these programmatic standards will result in dismissal from the Honors Program and revocation of any benefit derived from the program. Dismissal from the Honors Program does not impact the student’s academic status with the institution or the student’s ability to graduate.

Program Completion Requirements

• Successfully complete a total of 18 Honors credits.
• Program participation and all other benefits derived from program participation end when the 18 Honors credit hours are accrued.

Additional information is available in the office of Academic Enrichment, CCEN-215; 423-585-6914.

Grade Point Average

To maintain good standing in the program, Honors students must:

• Earn honors course credit each semester, preferably 6 hours per term,
• Maintain a 3.25 cumulative grade point average (GPA) per year, and
• Earn a 2.8 or higher each semester. Grades are monitored each term.
• Failure to remain in good standing according to these programmatic standards will result in dismissal from the Honors Program. However, dismissal from the Honors Program does not impact the student’s academic status with the institution or the student’s ability to graduate.

Additional information may be obtained in the office of Academic Enrichment, CCEN-215 or call 423-585-6914.