Admissions and Records

Student Information Center

The Student Information Center, located in the Dr. Jack E. Campbell College Center lobby, provides information concerning admissions, student services and other activities available to and sponsored by Walters State Community College. Individuals desiring information about the college or college activities can inquire by calling 423-318-2763 or toll-free 1-800-225-4770, Ext. 6. Information concerning the college can also be obtained by visiting the Walters State home page at: http://www.ws.edu.

Admission Requirements

Application for Admission 

Application for Readmission 

Hepatitis B Immunization Health History Form 

Student Release of Confidential Information Form 

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

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

Interested individuals must:

1. Be a high school graduate or possess a GED with a composite score of 45 or above with no single score below 41. High school graduates must provide an official transcript showing graduation.
   
   A person who is under 21 years of age and has not earned a regular high school diploma or has not received a GED will not be admitted. A student will be immediately withdrawn and refunded 100% or his/her tuition/fees upon notification that a regular high school diploma or GED has not been awarded.
   
   A person who is 21 years of age or older and has not completed all requirements for a regular high school diploma, or has not received a GED with a composite score of 45 or above, may be admitted as a special non-degree seeking student under the following conditions:
   1. The student may take ONLY developmental studies program courses, or other collegiate level courses approved by the vice president for Academic Affairs/vice president for Student Affairs.
   2. The student will only be permitted to accumulate 24 hours of credit before being required to produce a regular high school diploma or pass the GED, as outlined above.
   3. The student will not be eligible for financial aid.
2. Submit official scores from ACT (American College Testing Program) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), if the applicant is under the age of 21. The ACT or SAT must have been taken no later than three years prior to the beginning date of classes of the term for which application is being made. Exceptions to this requirement are made for Advanced Studies students who are not enrolling in an English or mathematics course and Basic Police Officer Education students. Exempt students will, however, be required to submit these scores if they change to degree-seeking status prior to reaching the age of 21. While there is no minimum score required for acceptance to Walters State, the ACT or SAT test scores are required for placement purposes. An ACT code number of 4028 has been assigned to Walters State and ACT official scores should be sent to the office of Admissions directly from ACT. Students who have not taken the ACT need to contact the Student Information Center at 1-800-225-4770, ext. 3 or the Counseling and Testing Center, 423-585-6805. If you have a disability that requires special test accommodations, please give as much advance notice as possible (at least one month). Last minute accommodation requests are usually very difficult to arrange. Some accommodation requests may require additional documentation.
3. A student who has been suspended from another institution because of disciplinary action must be eligible to return to that institution before being admitted to Walters State Community College.
4. 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).
5. Admission as a transfer student involves a consideration of the student’s high school and/or college record. Consideration is also given to the conditions under which the student is withdrawing or has withdrawn from another institution. Transfer students who are residents of Tennessee will be given first consideration. Out-of-state transfer students will be considered if space is available. The conditions resulting in their request for transfer will be studied and recommendation made by the appropriate committee.

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 and receive college credit for courses completed.

Student Classification

Students are classified as follows:

1. First-time, degree-seeking student under 21 years of age.
2. First-time, degree-seeking student over 21 years of age.
3. Transfer student - a student who has previously earned college credit from an accredited higher education institution.
4. Transient student - a student who is enrolled at another higher education institution and taking classes at Walters State Community College for the purpose of transferring the credits back to the other institution.
5. Non degree-seeking, special student.

How to Apply for Admission

All correspondence concerning admissions should be addressed to:

DEPARTMENT OF ADMISSIONS & REGISTRATION SERVICES
WALTERS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
500 SOUTH DAVY CROCKETT PARKWAY
MORRISTOWN, TENNESSEE 37813-6899

A candidate for admission should request application forms early enough to allow ample time for required materials to be forwarded to the office of Admissions. Under normal conditions the applicant should apply for admission at least 60 days prior to the beginning date of classes.

When all admission documents have been received, the applicant will be sent a letter indicating acceptance for admission or will be advised by letter that further action is necessary in order to establish eligibility for admission. Applicants will be advised when testing, advising, and registration services are available.

It is strongly recommended that all new students attend the New Student Orientation program for an information session, advisement, and registration.

All applicants must submit the following:

1. A completed application for admission and a nonrefundable $10 application fee.
2. Official copies of all transcripts. The transcript of a student graduating from a Tennessee public high school must contain a notation that the student has passed the required proficiency examination. The transcript of a Tennessee home schooled student must be an official copy from an affiliated organization as defined by state (Tenn. Code Ann. 49-50-801), or be accompanied by certification of registration with the director of the local education agency, which the student would otherwise attend. Students holding a GED must provide official scores from the agency that administered the GED examination. Students who have completed the American Council on Education (ACE) External Diploma Program (EDP) will be admitted under the same guidelines as students who have taken the GED. Students who cannot provide a satisfactory secondary school credential may substitute acceptable scores on either the GED or the ACE examination. The appropriate transcripts, certifications, or test scores to support high school graduation must be filed with the office of Admissions.
3. Official test scores of ACT or SAT, as applicable.
4. A completed Hepatitis B form.
5. Proof of Immunization - students born after 1956 must furnish documented proof of having immunity or having been immunized with two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine unless contraindicated because of pregnancy, allergy to a vaccine component, or other valid medical reasons. Students who cannot show proof of immunization must secure the first immunization at the beginning of their first semester and the second immunization by the end of their first term.
6. Selective Service - pursuant to federal and state law, every male who was born on or after January 1, 1960, and is a citizen of the United States or a resident of the United States must register with the Selective Service System. Certification of this registration must be furnished to the office of Admissions.Individuals born on or after January 1, 1960, who did not register with the Selective Service System, must furnish the System with information that the failure to register was not knowing and willful. These individuals must furnish the college a copy of the response from the Selective Service System to the office of Admissions. Individuals may obtain their selective service number at: http://www.sss.gov.

Additional Requirements for Specific Classifications

Appropriate assessment is required for enrollment in Basic, Developmental, or College-Level courses.

Assessment decisions are based on valid ACT/SAT scores. Valid ACT/SAT scores are those earned within three 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. ACT/SAT scores is the primary measure of placement in courses. Other assessment is used as secondary or challenge tests to provide for optimal placement decisions.

1. Degree-seeking students less than 21 years of age will be assessed for DE placement according to ACT scores. An ACT score that is less than 19 in the subject area of reading, writing, or math will require placement in DE or further assessment.
2. Degree-seeking students 21 years of age or older (who are not required to submit ACT scores).
   
   1. may submit valid ACT/SAT scores and will be placed accordingly, or
   2. will be required to complete assessment tests in reading, writing, and math.

Students in the aforementioned two classifications that have earned a GED must complete assessment testing in reading, writing, and math or present a valid ACT score.

3. Transfer students:
   
   1. will provide an official transcript from each college previously attended. Failure to indicate previous college attendance will subject the student to dismissal from college.
   2. without college-level English composition and/or mathematics credit will be assessed in writing and/or mathematics based on a valid ACT score or other appropriate assessment test.
   3. admitted on probation who are not eligible for readmission at the last institution attended will be placed on probation at Walters State Community College.

Students in the aforementioned classification who plan to major in a university parallel program designed to transfer to a university need to meet the requirements outlined in High_School_Core_Units_Required_for_University_Parallel_Degrees,  University Parallel Programs  and General Education  of this catalog.

4. Transient students will provide a completed transient student form.
5. Non degree-seeking, special students:
   
   1. without college-level English composition credit will be assessed in writing prior to enrollment in college-level English or any course with English as a prerequisite.
   2. without college-level mathematics credit will be assessed in mathematics prior to enrollment in college-level mathematics or any course with mathematics as a prerequisite.
   3. who change to degree-seeking status will be assessed and other screening may be applicable under guidelines for degree-seeking students.

Entrance Placement Requirements

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

Students who consider themselves inadequately prepared to pursue a college-level course may request a change in placement, only after being referred by a faculty member in that particular course. If placement is changed to any developmental education courses, the changes become mandatory. The decision to permit the student to enroll in any DE course is an institutional prerogative with placement decisions made by the program dean.

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 DE 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 DE course is an institutional prerogative with placement decision made by the program dean.

Entrance Placement Appeal Procedure

Any student who feels that results of the assessment procedure do not accurately reflect academic ability may appeal the placement decision(s) to the Readmission Committee. The appeal may be initiated through the vice president for Student Affairs or the vice president for Academic Affairs. Students are encouraged to submit documentation of extenuating circumstances to the vice president at the time the appeal is initiated. Students must appear personally before the committee to appeal placement decisions. The committee meets at 9 a.m. on the last week day proceeding 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 judgement, placement indications are inconsistent with diagnostic test results. The student will not retake the placement test, but may be placed differently according to the dean’s determination. This exception to placement must be supported by documentation, and the dean must permanently waive the student’s original placement.

Provisions for Open Entry/Early Exit

Students who are appropriately placed initially but who show exceptional motivation should be allowed to progress in two ways:

1. A student may complete one course and start a second course within the same term. The student will register for the partially completed second course in the subsequent term.
2. A student who completes requirements of two courses in a single term may be allowed to attempt the exit criteria for the second course. When a student completes two levels of course work while enrolled in a single course, the student will receive a waiver for the additional course completed.

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

Concurrent Enrollment in College-Level and DE Courses

College-level courses taken concurrently with DE 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 Student Information Center at 1-800-225-4740, ext. 3 or the Counseling and Testing Center at 423-585-6805.

Readmission of Former Students

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

Admission with Advanced Standing

Advanced Placement

Under certain conditions advanced placement may be granted. Walters State Community College may grant advanced placement and credit for courses in which the student has demonstrated satisfactory achievement. Each applicant under this plan is to show satisfactory achievement on the Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) during the student’s senior year in the secondary school, or on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Advanced placement in English may be obtained with an ACT English subtest score of 27 - 30 (credit for ENGL 1010) or 31 or higher (credit for ENGL 1010 and 1020). 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, high test scores on ACT, CEEB, and CLEP examinations will be converted to a grade of “P” and will not affect the student’s quality point average.

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

Advanced Placement 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 Foreign Language Department in consultation with the student.

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.

Course Exemptions

High school graduates with exceptional scholastic records or those who have been enrolled in high school accelerated or honor sections may apply to take exemption tests in beginning English, history, mathematics, science, or other subjects where exemption may be justified. Applications to take exemption tests in one or more of the subject areas must be received in letter form by the office of Admissions at least four weeks prior to the date specified for registration in the college calendar.

All course exemption requests must be approved by the vice president for Academic Affairs.

Credit for Military Service and Service Schools

A student who has been on active military service duty four months or longer may submit a copy of Separation Notice (DD Form 214) and receive two semester hours of required Physical Education credit.

Veterans and other active armed services personnel may receive degree credit on the basis of educational experiences according to the evaluation of the experience by the Walters State office of Veterans Affairs. The DD Form 214 or other documentation of such experiences must be submitted to the Walters State office of Veterans Affairs in order to have such credit established. Credit for military experience will be granted only if Walters State Community College offers comparable courses which relate to experience gained through the military education process. Students who are granted credit in this manner are required to satisfy the residence requirement by completing 18 of the last 26 hours of their degree program at Walters State.

Credit by Examination

Under certain conditions a student may be awarded credit by taking a series of departmental proficiency examinations and/or standardized tests in a particular subject 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 particular course and attend the first day of class. All examination requirements must be completed as designated by the division.

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

Advanced Studies Program

A high school student may enroll in college courses under the Advanced Studies Program. Students in this plan will complete admission requirements (with the exception of the high school diploma) prior to enrolling in college classes. The details of this plan are as follows:

1. The student must have junior or senior standing in high school.
2. The student must have a letter grade average of at least a “B” or a numerical average of at least 88.
3. Courses will not be expected to count toward the high school diploma.
4. The student must be certified by the principal/guidance counselor.
5. The courses taken must be chosen by the student in consultation with the high school counselor and the department of Admissions and Enrollment Management so as to supplement the high school program and insure academic success.
6. In addition to the above requirements, Advanced Studies students desiring to enroll in the English Composition sequence, must have taken the ACT and scored a 19 or higher in the English area. Advanced Studies students desiring to enroll in mathematics courses must have taken the ACT and have scored a 19 or higher in the mathematics area and have successfully completed two years of high school algebra.
7. Any exception to the above conditions must be approved by the high school principal, the vice president for Academic Affairs, and the vice president for Student Affairs.

Courses taken while enrolled in high school will count as regular college credit upon high school graduation. Admission to Walters State Community College will be automatic upon graduation.

Advanced Studies should not be confused with the Early Admissions program as outlined by the Tennessee State Board of Education. For further information on that program, contact your local high school principal or guidance office.

Dual Enrollment

The Dual Enrollment Program, a state-approved, cooperative community venture provided by Walters State Community College, offers qualified high school students an opportunity to receive college credit at relatively low cost while they complete their secondary education. It is designed to supplement and enrich students’ high school experiences by providing access to collegiate education without interrupting their normal high school activities. The program has been successfully implemented in several school systems within the Walters State service area. Earned credits transfer to two-year and four-year accredited institutions from Walters State according to the discretion of the receiving institution.

Entrance Requirements

Admission to the Dual Enrollment Program is available only to junior and senior students from state-approved high schools that have distinguished themselves by high academic achievement. Students wishing to participate in the program must have a letter grade of “B” or a numerical average of “88”. In addition, students enrolling in a dual enrollment math or English course must have earned a 19 or above for the appropriate subscore on the American College Test (ACT).

Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant

In the fall of 2005, the Tennessee Lottery began funding a Dual Enrollment Grant to provide financial assistance to qualified high school students pursuing postsecondary study at an eligible Tennessee institution while receiving dual credit - both high school and college credit - for successfully completed courses. (The term dual enrollment applies to courses for which students receive both high school and college credit and applies to these enrollments regardless of course delivery location or course delivery method.) Important eligibility guidelines include, but are not limited to, those listed below. To be eligible for the grant, students must:

• be a high school junior or senior
• be a Tennessee resident
• submit a completed Tennessee Enrollment Grant application each academic term to the postsecondary institution
• meet the admissions criteria for dual enrollment at the postsecondary institution
• not have already received a high school diploma
• meet the application deadline established by the grant program (September 1 for fall; February 1 for spring; and May 1 for summer).

The grant program maximum reward up to $300 per semester and $600 per academic year. The grant is available fall and spring. The grant is also available for the summer terms prior to graduation from high school for those students who do not exceed the maximum award during the regular school year. To be eligible for the grant a semester after the first semester of receipt, the student will continue to meet all eligibility requirements for the grant and shall achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all postsecondary courses attempted under a Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant.

Early Admission of First-Time Freshmen

1. High School GPA. Applicants must have completed the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades with a minimum grade point average of 3.2 based on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent.
2. Standardized Examination Score. Applicants must have an Enhanced ACT composite score of at least 22.
3. Prescribed Courses. Applicants must provide a written statement from their high school principal specifying the college courses that will be substituted for the remaining high school courses needed for high school graduation.
4. Endorsements. Applicants shall provide written endorsements from their high school counselors and from their parents or guardians.

Academically Talented/Gifted Program

Academically talented/gifted students enrolled in grades nine, ten, eleven, or twelve in public or private high schools in Tennessee may, with the recommendation and approval of the high school principal, guidance counselor, and the WSCC department of Admissions and Enrollment Management, enroll in and receive regular college degree credit from Walters State if such students have a grade point average equivalent to 3.2 on a 4.0 maximum basis and if such placement is a part of the student’s planned Individual Education Program (I.E.P.) as established by the multi-disciplinary team process.

1. Interested individuals should satisfy the following applicable requirements:
2. Complete a WSCC application.Submit I.E.P. and Certificate of Giftedness form.
3. All required forms must be on file in the department of Admissions and Enrollment Management three weeks prior to registration before the semester of entrance.

International Student Admissions Policy

All 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 Admissions and Enrollment Management no later than 60 days prior to the beginning date of the term the applicant wishes to enroll:

1. A completed application for admission and a nonrefundable $10 application fee.
2. Official copies of all transcripts, test scores, and other credentials. These documents must be accompanied by an official English translation which shows the following:
   1. Courses of instruction in terms of years spent in school.
   2. Types of subject matter covered with grades earned in each subject.
3. A completed Hepatitis B form.
4. Evidence of proficiency in the English language according to the following:A first-time student must present a minimum TOEFL score of 500 on the paper exam or 173 on the computer-based exam (earned within the last two years) prior to application. The TOEFL score will not be considered until the score has been verified by the department of Admissions and Enrollment Management. Verification can only be done if the student has requested the testing agency to release their score to WSCC. WSCC institution code is 1893.
   Exception: TOEFL is not required if:
   1. English is the official language of the country of citizenship.
   2. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is conferred on an official transcript from a United States accredited four-year college or university.
   3. A student can show evidence to satisfy all requirements for freshman composition with a grade of “C” or better at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States of America.
5. Evidence of financial resources adequate for one year of tuition and related expenses from a bank within the student’s country of current residence.

NOTE: The I-20 Form will only be issued when the student has completed items 1-5 above.

6. Upon entering the United States, the student must submit a bank statement from a United States bank showing financial resources equivalent to one semester of tuition and maintenance fees. All international students will pay out-of-state tuition with the exception of those holding the Permanent Resident Visa, which will be reviewed at the time of admission to determine in-state/out-of-state classification.
7. Entering students under 21 years of age are required to take the American College Testing Program (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) battery.
   Entering students 21 years of age or older are required to undergo placement assessment prior to enrollment where applicable. Contact the department of Counseling and Testing for further information.
8. Provide a copy of your I-94 Form and copies of I-20 Forms from previous schools attended in the United States.
9. The student must become familiar with regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and be responsible for reporting any changes in enrollment to the office of the vice president for Student Affairs.
10. The student must arrive in Morristown, Tennessee, USA, at least one week prior to beginning of classes to make arrangements for housing and other matters.
11. The student must purchase student insurance after arrival at Walters State or furnish documentation reflecting comparable coverage. Forms may be secured from the office of the vice president for Student Affairs.
12. A verification from a United States licensed health agency documenting freedom from tuberculosis must be completed within 30 days from the first day of classes.
13. Students born after 1956 must furnish documented proof of having immunity or having been immunized with two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, unless contraindicated because of pregnancy, allergy to a vaccine component, or other valid medical reasons. Students who cannot show proof of immunization must secure the first immunization at the beginning of their first semester and the second immunization by the end of their first term.

Dual Credit

Purpose

The Dual Credit program provides students with an educational pathway that will allow them to enter postsecondary technical education with higher skills in order for the individual to complete their postsecondary education sooner or to finish with higher skills in the “normal” amount of time. The ultimate goal of Dual Credit is to provide students with the opportunity to complete a postsecondary education through a non-duplicative sequence of courses in career fields, including the opportunity for secondary students to enroll concurrently in secondary and postsecondary coursework.

Dual Credit

Dual Credit seeks to combine college preparatory academics with highly technical courses, utilizing workbased and worksite learning, while eliminating duplication of efforts among high schools and community colleges equipping students with the skills for lifelong learning and higher paying high-tech careers. In order to deliver this program to the students of East Tennessee, Walters State Community College and the 23 secondary schools in our 10 county service area, have signed a dual credit agreement.

Dual Credit Articulation

Dual Credit is a planned process that provides a transitional vehicle between secondary and post secondary institutions. It offers high school students the opportunity to receive post secondary credit for the skills they have attained at the secondary level at no cost to the student. Because area high school and Walters State instructors have reviewed what they teach and identified sufficient duplication in those courses, articulation agreements have been arranged affording eligible students free credit.

Requirements

• High school instructors will analyze the postsecondary 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 application for an examination. Review sheets for the exams may be accessed at: www.ws.edu/teched/perkins/reviewwscc.asp
• Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA.
• Students must be currently enrolled in high school as an 11th or 12th grader.

Procedure

• The high school student with the permission of the high school instructor and counselor will go to the Technical Education web-site located at: http://www.ws.edu/teched/perkins/dualcreditapplication.asp and complete an application.
• The student must electronically submit the complete application. In addition, the student should print a copy of the completed application and ask his/her high school counselor to mail his/her high school transcript, along with the application to the Technical Education office. If this procedure is not completed in its entirety, the student will not be allowed to test at WSCC. It is very important to have the student’s social security number and birth date correctly listed.
• The student must also submit an application to Walters State Community College. The WSCC application is located at the following link: www.ws.edu/admission/application.asp. The application must be printed and submitted to WSCC. Personnel will be available on the test date to take duplicate copies of the application and the appropriate fee. A checklist is available to assist you in completing the necessary requirements for dual credit testing.
• Student Release of Confidential Information Form 

Online Testing Procedures

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

Dual Credit Exam

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

Passing Grades

• Free credit for the students that pass the dual credit exam will receive college credit at Walters State.
• Grades will be assigned based on the post secondary dual credit exam score or where special conditions exist for obtaining dual credit, the grades will be assigned based on required national exam scores or by instructor objective assessment. Special conditions and minimum passing scores can be found on the sheet of courses or programs eligible for dual credit. These are located at: http://www.ws.edu/teched/perkins/articulatedcourses.asp .
• If the student is not satisfied with the grade, the student must enroll in that course during the first semester at Walters State. Students who wish to take the course must contact the Student Records Office to complete the necessary form for repeat of class.

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

Registration for Courses

Once a student has filed an application with the department of Admissions and Enrollment Management, the student will be permitted to register for classes via the STAR_NET system. The dates and procedures for registration are outlined in the Timetable of Classes for the semester in which the student is registering. The student is not officially enrolled until all requirements of registration have been completed.

Transfer Student

Admission as a transfer student involves a consideration of the student’s high school and/or college record. Consideration is also given to the conditions under which the student is withdrawing or has withdrawn from another institution. Students not eligible for readmission at the last institution attended will have their records carefully reviewed. When accepted, they may be placed on probation and may be requested to use the Counseling Center.

Transfer students who are residents of Tennessee will be given first consideration. Out-of-state transfer students will be considered if space is available. The conditions resulting in their request for transfer will be studied and recommendation made by the appropriate committee.

Transfer of Credit

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

Upon arrival of a student’s transcript, the transcript will initially be checked by the department of Admissions and Registration Services for the school’s accreditation status.

If the transcript is from an accredited college,

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

If the transcript is from a non accredited college, the department of Admissions and Registration Services will contact the appropriate academic dean/deans for individual course review.

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.

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 department of Admissions and Registration Services at the time of the student’s first registration. Any correspondence or extension work taken while a student is enrolled at Walters State must be approved by the vice president for Academic Affairs.

Admission to Special Programs

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

Policy Regarding Student Records

Walters State Community College recognizes the rights of students to have access to their records and will not make unauthorized disclosure of student records, as required by the FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT OF 1974.

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

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

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

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

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

Retention of Records

Students’ academic records are maintained permanently on the Student Information System. Periodic backups are made to ensure safety of the files and are stored in a secure location. They are microfilmed annually for permanent storage. All other records are maintained according to AACRAO standards as published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. A copy of the retention policy is maintained in the Student Records Department (CCEN-208) and the office of the vice president for Student Affairs (CCEN-100).

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

Transcript of Credits

Transcripts of credits must be made to the Student Records Office. Requests may be made in one of two ways. An e-mail request will be honored for transcripts to be sent to an agency, school, or employer. These requests may be made by sending the request to: jim.wilder@ws.edu. The request must include the student’s social security number and where the transcript is to be sent. REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL COPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE REQUESTED IN WRITING TO THE STUDENT RECORDS OFFICE. Written requests for transcripts must include the student’s name, social security number, the address to which the transcript is to be sent and a signature. Personal copies of transcripts will be marked “ISSUED TO STUDENT”. Students should be aware that hand carried personal copies of transcripts may not be acceptable to a third party.

There is no charge for transcripts provided that requests do not exceed five copies at any one time. Transcripts in excess of five copies issued at any one time will be subject to a charge of $3 each. All transcript requests must be in writing and will not be taken by telephone. In all cases, obligations to the college must be fulfilled before a transcript will be issued.

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 or call the college’s student information line, 1-800-225-4770, option 1; InfoConnect, (423) 581-1233, option 1045; the Sevier County Campus, (865) 774-5800, option 9; or the Greeneville/Greene County Center for Higher Education, (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 remedial/developmental classes.

Audit of any course in Health Programs will be at the discretion of the dean and the program director.

Retention Standards

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

Academic Probation

A student who fails during any term to attain a cumulative GPA at or above the level indicated below for the credit hours attempted will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent term.

Academic Suspension

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

Readmission After Academic Suspension

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

1. Stay out of college for one semester (summer term may not be counted as semester of suspension).
2. Appear before the Admissions and Academic Readmissions Committee to appeal academic suspension. Committee meeting dates are listed in the Timetable of Classes for each semester.

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. Secure a withdrawal form from the Student Records Department.
2. Secure clearance signature (in sequence) from 1) Counseling Center, Student Financial Aid, 2) Library, 3) Student Records Department, and 4) office of Business Affairs.
3. All equipment belonging to the college must be accounted for or paid for and all financial obligations met. If it is impossible for the student to take these steps in person, they should be taken by a parent or person acting as an agent for the student. Up to the date given in the academic calendar, a student may withdraw from the college with a grade of “W”.

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

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”.

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.

High School Core Units Required for University Parallel Degrees

The Tennessee Board of Regents has admissions requirements for students who are entering college and who will be pursuing AA or AS degrees in university parallel programs. These requirements are in force for the following groups of students:

1. Students who graduated from high school in 1989 and thereafter.
2. Students who earned a GED certificate or External Diploma Program (EDP) after January 1, 1989.
3. Students who change majors from an associate of applied science degree or certificate program to an AA, AS, or baccalaureate degree program.

The following groups of students are not bound by admissions requirements:

1. Students who graduated from high school prior to spring 1989.
2. Students who received a GED certificate prior to January 1, 1989.
3. Students who earned college credit prior to fall term 1989.

Walters State Courses to Remove High School Unit Deficiencies

The following table indicates procedure to remove high school unit deficiencies:

The following deficiencies may be removed by taking the approved General Education Courses for the listed subject area. General Education Courses are listed on page 56 of the catalog. These courses may also be used to satisfy the General Education requirements in the student’s program of study.

Students who have questions concerning whether or not they have high school unit deficiencies should reference the categories listed below or contact the department of Admissions and Registration Services for further information concerning removal of these deficiencies.

1. ACT composite equal to or greater than 26. These students would face the possibility of removing deficiencies only in foreign language 1 and 2 and visual and performing arts.
2. Students with an Honors diploma. These students are not required to remove any high school deficiencies. Please note, however, these students may require assessment due to the remedial and developmental guidelines.
3. Students 21 years of age and older. This group of students must have graduated from high school during or after spring 1989. These students will not have to remove deficiencies in geometry, natural or physical sciences, social studies, or U.S. History. They will, however, need to remove deficiencies in English, algebra, foreign language 1 and 2, and the visual and performing arts.
4. Students admitted based on a GED certificate received after January 1, 1989. These students will have to undergo the pre-test in reading, writing, and two maths. These students will not be required to remove deficiencies in geometry, natural or physical sciences, social studies, or U.S. History. They will be required to remove deficiencies in foreign language 1 and 2 and the visual or performing arts.
5. Special students-non-degree seeking. As long as a student is in non-degree status no deficiencies will need to be removed.
6. Degree-seeking students who do not meet the above criteria and who are pursuing a university parallel program will need to remove all deficiencies prior to graduation.