General Academic Information

The academic procedures at Columbia College are designed to aid the student in fulfilling the requirements for graduation. Each student must meet these requirements in order to complete the degree program. It should be emphasized that the procedures are established to help the student secure the best education possible. The Academic Standards Committee hears student petitions for exception to the general academic policies listed in this Bulletin. The petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar. Policies and requirements for Undergraduate Programs and Graduate School are contained in separate publications. They can also be accessed through the College website at http://www.columbiasc.edu.

Definition of Semester Hour

Basic Definition: The semester hour, or credit hour, is the basis for all credit at Columbia College. One semester hour of credit is the equivalent of a traditional course with face-to-face meeting time of at least one academic hour (fifty minutes) per week for a full semester (15 weeks) with the expectation of an average of at least two academic hours of homework or out-of-class work per week for the full semester.

Classes with a traditional mode of delivery: Thus, a traditional three-semester-hour course meets 2.5 clock hours per week with an expectation of an average of 5 clock hours per week of out-of-class work. The face-to-face meetings for the last week of a semester in the Women’s College are replaced by a single extended class meeting time usually reserved for final examinations or projects.

Classes with a traditional mode of delivery meeting outside of the standard semesters: Classes during, for example, split-terms or summer sessions have the same amount of time devoted to face-to-face meetings as a full-semester class and meet the same objectives and outcomes as the comparable full-semester class.

Classes in the sciences and the arts: Science courses with laboratory components and arts courses with studio or applied components often have more face-to-face meeting time than would normally be the case for a course with the same number of semester hours. This increase in the instructional time may or may not result in a corresponding reduction in the expected out-of-class time, but in no case will the total expected time for the course be less than three academic hours per week for each semester hour of credit.

Service Learning classes: Since work on the service project in designated Service Learning courses is instructional in nature, those classes may replace up to one and one half academic hours of traditional face-to-face meeting time per week with at least two academic hours of on- site work at the service project per week. Additional time spent working or reflecting on the service project may be counted as part of the out-of-class work time for the class.

Hybrid and online classes: If a hybrid or online class is also taught as a traditional class, then the non-traditional version of the class will be deemed to have the same number of semester hours as the traditional version of the class provided both versions require roughly the same work from the student and achieve the same objectives and outcomes regardless of the amount of face-to-face meeting time scheduled for the non-traditional version of the course.

However, if there is no comparable traditional version of the class, the non-traditional course must include instructional time (which can be face-to-face meetings or online work) averaging at least one academic hour per week for a full semester (12.5 clock hours) for each semester hour of credit. There must also be the expectation for “homework” averaging two academic hours per week for a whole semester (25 clock hours) for each semester hour of credit. The syllabus for the course must specifically identify any work being counted towards the instructional time limit.

Internships: All of the work in an internship is both instructional and out-of-class in nature. Accordingly, internship students are expected to complete a minimum of 37.5 clock hours of work (three academic hours per week for a full semester) for each semester hour of credit. All internships must require a minimum of 30 on-site clock hours for each semester hour of credit. The remaining 7.5 clock hours per credit hour may consist of additional on-site time or off-site work consisting of one or more of the following: face-to-face meetings between student and instructor, preparation for on-site work, written assignments, or oral presentations. The internship form submitted for registration must include the total on-site hours required of the student and what time, if any, will be devoted to off-site work.

Independent studies and research or creative projects: As with internships, all of the work in these classes is both instructional and out-of-class in nature. Students in these classes are expected to complete 37.5 clock hours of work (three academic hours per week for a full semester) for each semester hour of credit. Face-to-face meeting time with the instructor may be counted towards the total work for the class. The independent study form submitted for registration must indicate the expected amount of work for each component of the class.

Academic Support Services for Online Students

Every online program student is automatically enrolled in the online tutoring system SmartThinking. Online program students may be able to arrange email or Skype appointments with the on-campus Pearce Communication Center for help with writing and speech assignments.

Designation of Instructional Time

Instructional time and activities must be specified in the syllabus, and are different from and cannot overlap with homework assignments. So students can effectively manage their time, state in the syllabus the work that is considered as out-of-class instructional time and the expected time to complete the work.

Instructional time out of the classroom includes learning activities facilitated by the instructor, such as

• Viewing a video or recorded lecture facilitated by the instructor
• Group discussions of assigned topics via learning management system forums facilitated by the instructor
• Finding an article and sharing a summary with the class via the learning management system, facilitated by the instructor
• Small group discussion facilitated by the instructor
• Self-paced tutorials facilitated by the instructor

Registration

Classification of Degree-Seeking Students

Degree-seeking students are classified on entrance and at the beginning of each semester according to the number of earned semester hours as indicated below. However, to advance in classification, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher for courses attempted at Columbia College.

Priority for registration, certain course prerequisites and major requirements, and some Student Affairs and academic policies are based on a student’s classification. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree are given a separate classification equivalent to a classification of “Senior” for the purposes listed above.

Faculty/Student Interaction for Online Programs

Faculty/student interaction in the online program is primarily done through email and the learning management system. Most instructors are also available by telephone. Faculty and students share ideas through threaded discussions. Faculty provide students with written feedback on all assignments. Students may email faculty specific questions or difficulties and can expect a response within 24 hours.

Student Credit Load

General Information: The semester hour is the basis for all credits. Full-time attendance is 12 semester hours. In a regular semester, the recommended credit load is 16 semester hours. Students should plan their semester schedules so that heavy course loads are unnecessary.

Maximum Credit Load: The maximum credit loads for each semester and summer session is 18 semester hours.

Additional Restrictions on Credit Load:

• The maximum credit load for any term (fall, spring, or summer) for a student on Academic Probation is 13 semester hours.
• When determining a student’s credit load for maximum load or overload purposes, the load is computed by adding together the hours taken at Columbia College and the hours taken as transient study during that term or session. When determining part-time or full-time status, only the hours taken at Columbia College are used.

Overloads: Student who have completed one full-time semester at Columbia College are permitted to take more than the maximum credit load during the fall or spring semesters under certain conditions as detailed below. Any student requesting an overload must complete the Overload Request Form from the Registrar’s Office. All students on Academic Probation, and all students and overloads not covered below must petition the Standards, Review and Ethics Committee for permission to register for the overload.

Requiring Assistance from Registrar’s Office: Students who fall into the categories in the table below will need to complete the Overload Request Form and return it to the Registrar’s Office before registering for the indicated overload. The Registrar’s Office will register the student for courses up to these loads. Students wanting to take heavier loads or not meeting the criteria below need to petition the Standards, Review and Ethics Committee for permission to take the overload.

Additional Fee for Overloads: All students registering for more than 18 semester hours will be charged an additional per-credit-hour fee for each semester hour beyond 18 (excluding music ensembles).

Online Students

The semester hour is the basis for all credits. Full-time attendance is 12 semester hours per term. Each term is divided into three sub-terms or modules.

Maximum Credit Load: The maximum credit load for each sub-term is given in the table below.

Advisor Roles and Responsibilities for the Day College

Goal of Academic and Professional Advising

Please note that it is the responsibility of each student to monitor their academic progress and make sure that the requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

Students at Columbia College are given access to a team of advisors that encompasses the support of faculty advisors, career coaches, and community mentors. The goals of academic and professional advising at Columbia College are to (1) help students navigate their curriculum requirements by assisting in appropriate course selection; (2) provide access to professional opportunities of growth and development through career coaching, mentoring, and other applied learning experiences. Students are required to meet with their assigned faculty advisor every semester, prior to early enrollment for the next semester. In addition, students will receive professional development coaching and support via services offered through the Center for Career Coaching and Professional Development.

Advisor’s Roles and Responsibilities

Role of a Faculty Advisor

Faculty advisors provide students information about course rotations, course requirements and appropriate sequencing of courses, as well as providing general academic advice and support.

To that end, the faculty advisor will

1. Be available to meet with each student each semester to review her/his academic progress.
2. Explain institutional policies and procedures, general education, major, and graduation requirements.
3. Help each student evaluate her academic progress realistically and suggest appropriate courses for the coming semester(s).
4. Be informed of academic requirements and prerequisites as well as course rotations that are specific to the program in which the student is majoring.
5. Help students to develop decision-making skills, self-evaluation skills, and a suitable career/educational plan.

Role of a Career Coach

Career Coaches at Columbia College are committed to assisting students in career and/or graduate school exploration to ensure they are professionally prepared to be a more productive, effective, and desired talent in the workforce and their communities. Activities center on a four-year comprehensive plan to provide a transformative and individualized experience for each student.

To that end, the career coach will

1. Assess each student’s career interests, strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes in order to establish career/professional goals.
2. Support students’ progress towards these goals over their four years.
3. Provide information about areas of study and corresponding career options so that students choose appropriate majors, minors, and concentrations.
4. Host and encourage students to take advantage of on/off campus career development workshops and opportunities.
5. Provide ongoing support to successfully implement the student’s individualized career plan.

Role of a Columbia College Mentor

The mentor program is an opt-in networking opportunity designed to aid our young women in fostering meaningful, real-world connections.

To that end, the mentor will

1. Foster meaningful, consistent, professional and ethical relationships.
2. Help the student to learn more about varying career choice and work/life balance.
3. Guide the student’s plans toward career preparation and/or advanced study goals.
4. Model appropriate professional dress and etiquette.
5. Share experiences with the student that may help to shape her educational/professional career.

Student’s Roles and Responsibilities

Please note that it is the responsibility of each student to monitor her academic progress and make sure that the requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

Academic Advising Preparation

Students will

1. Arrange a meeting with her faculty advisor during advisement each semester according to the advisor’s availability.
2. Prepare for the advising appointment by reviewing their degree requirements and possible courses based on the current course schedule.
3. Inform the advisor of schedule changes, course withdrawals, early alerts, and other unexpected events in her/his progress during the semester.
4. Complete the registration agreement and personal information (located on KC) prior to the advising appointment.
5. Complete registration for each semester during the allotted time for her classification.
6. Have no outstanding charges in the Tuition Accounts Office which will inhibit pre-registration or registration.
7. Meet all requirements for the anticipated degree as stated in the Academic Bulletin.
8. Coordinate requirements of various programs when seeking a minor(s) or a double major

Career Advising Preparation

Students will

1. Arrange a meeting with a Career Coach within the first few weeks of the semester.
2. Foster confidence to develop self-knowledge related to career choices.
3. Exhibit courage to seek out career and educational planning and information.
4. Show commitment to take responsibility for developing career decisions, employment, and/or graduate and professional school plans.
5. Build competence to manage their careers upon graduation.

Professional Advising/Preparation

(Only for students that opt-in to the mentoring program)

Students will

1. If interested, register for the Mentorship Program (CLIMB) through the Center for Career Coaching and Professional Development.
2. Plan to attend a Mentor/Mentee matching meeting to discuss the details of the program.
3. Strive to foster a meaningful, consistent, professional and ethical relationship.
4. Learn more about their mentor’s position, company, and industry.
5. Allow mentor to guide their future plans toward career preparation and/or advanced study goals.
6. Receive feedback on ways to grow professionally.

College’s Roles and Responsibilities

The college will

1. Assign each student an academic advisor.
2. Provide an accurate listing of course requirements in a printed Bulletin (available for purchase in the bookstore).
3. Provide an accurate listing of course requirements for each major on the website.
4. Maintain an electronic program evaluation system for students and advisors to use as they monitor the student’s progress toward graduation listing specific requirements that still must be completed.

Academic Advisement

Each student is assigned an academic advisor who can meet with the student each semester prior to student pre-registration for the following semester. The advisor reviews student progress, gives general academic advice and serves as a resource to the student when academic issues arise. It is the responsibility of each student to monitor her/his academic progress and make sure that the requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

To that end, the students should

1. Arrange a meeting with her/his advisor during advisement each semester according to the advisor’s availability,
2. Inform her/his advisor of schedule changes, course withdrawals, and other unexpected events in her/his progress during a semester,
3. Have no outstanding charges in the Office of Financial Services which inhibit pre-registration or registration,
4. Complete registration for each semester during the allotted time for Evening students,
5. Meet all requirements for the anticipated degree as stated in the Bulletin, and
6. Coordinate requirements of various programs when seeking a minor or a double major.

The advisor will

1. Be available to meet with each student each semester to review her/his academic progress,
2. Be able to help each student evaluate her/his academic progress realistically and suggest appropriate courses for the coming semester(s),
3. Suggest appropriate channels for dealing with unexpected academic difficulties, and
4. Be informed on academic requirements and pre-requisites as well as course rotations that are specific to the program in which the student is majoring.

The College will

1. Assign each student an academic advisor,
2. Provide an accurate listing of course requirements in a printed Bulletin (available for purchase in the bookstore),
3. Provide an accurate listing of course requirements for each major on the web site,
4. Maintain an electronic program evaluation system for students and advisors to use as they monitor the student’s progress toward graduation listing specific requirements that still must be completed.

Online Registration

The first step in registering for classes is a meeting with the academic advisor. Each student should set up an advisement conference according to the schedule published by the registrar’s office. At this conference, a suggested list of courses will be discussed in addition to any recommendations for improved performance.

Registration is normally accomplished through an online connection to the College registration system. Students can make changes to their schedule until the last day of add/drop, typically two days after the first day of classes.

Clearance to Register

To be cleared to register for classes for any semester, a student must have no outstanding charges in the financial services office. Occasionally students will find that their ability to register has been blocked due to a problem with academic standing or health services issues. In these cases, the student should check with her advisor, the registrar’s office, or the Provost to determine the nature of the block and how to get it removed.

Course Withdrawals

Traditional Delivery Courses

Following the add/drop period, students may withdraw from courses by completing a Withdrawal Petition, which is available in the Office of the Registrar. A grade of “WD” will be given for courses that are officially dropped prior to the last day to withdraw deadline as well as for courses dropped after mid-semester because of medical reasons and family emergencies or by the judgment of the Provost. Failure to withdraw officially from a course may result in a final grade of “F” or “U.”

Online Courses

Following the add/drop period, students may withdraw from courses by completing a Withdrawal Petition, which is available from the Office of the Registrar. A grade of “WD” will be given for courses that are officially dropped prior to the last day to withdraw deadline as well as for courses dropped after this deadline because of medical reasons and family emergencies or by the judgment of the Provost. Failure to withdraw officially from a course may result in a final grade of “F” or “U.”

Students who do no work and do not contact either the instructor or program director during the first week of a course subterm will be dropped as “no-shows” from the course as if they had requested a drop during the add/drop period.

Refunds are not applicable for course withdrawals at any time during the term following the add/drop period.

Withdrawal from College

Day and Evening College

Students who find it necessary to discontinue their college work during a session must complete a Withdrawal Petition, available in the Office of the Registrar, before the beginning of final exams. After obtaining the designated signatures, the student must return the form to the Provost. Failure to follow this procedure may result in the final grade of “F” or “U” for all courses taken that session and may delay the processing of any future application for readmission to the College.

The College reserves the right to require the withdrawal of students whose scholarship is not satisfactory and those who, for any other reason, are regarded as not in accord with the ideals and standards that the College seeks to maintain.

For information regarding refunds related to withdrawals, refer to the Financial Information  section.

Online Programs

Students who find it necessary to discontinue their college work during a term must complete a Withdrawal Petition, available in the Office of the Registrar, before the end of the third week of the subterm. After obtaining the designated signatures, the student must return the form to the Provost. Failure to follow this procedure may result in the final grade of “F” or “U” for all courses taken that session and may delay the processing of any future application for readmission to the College.

If a student is dropped as a “no-show” for two consecutive subterms, she/he will be administratively withdrawn from the college; all remaining courses for the term will be dropped.She/he will not be registered for courses until she/he reapplies to the College. 

The College reserves the right to require the withdrawal of students whose scholarship is not satisfactory and those who, for any other reason, are regarded as not in accord with the ideals and standards that the College seeks to maintain.

For information regarding refunds related to withdrawals, refer to the Financial Information  section.

Leave of Absence Policy

The purpose of a leave of absence is to allow a student a break in her/his studies for a limited time without having to withdraw from the College and apply for readmission. Any degree-seeking student in good academic standing may apply for a leave of absence. A leave of absence may be granted for one semester or two consecutive semesters. However, a student who is called to active military service is eligible for a leave of absence for the length of their military service plus up to one year after their return from active duty. Students in off- campus Associate’s-to-Bachelor’s degree programs may need to change locations after returning from a leave of absence.

In the semester prior to the student’s return to Columbia College, the student should contact her/his advisor in order to register for the next semester and to notify the Office of the Provost of her/his intent to return as a student. A student who does not return at the end of the stated period will be considered to have withdrawn from the College. She/he must apply for readmission before she/he can return and will be subject to the Bulletin and College requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

Students studying abroad through Columbia College’s exchange and affiliate programs are not considered to be on a leave of absence. Students enrolled in study abroad sponsored by other institutions and organizations need to apply for a Leave of Absence.

If academic credit is attempted during a leave of absence, a student must complete a Transient Student Form and submit an official transcript to the College prior to her/his return. The credit will be subject to College’s Transient Study Policy.

Any student wishing to apply for a leave of absence should

1. secure and complete a Leave of Absence Request from the Office of the Provost,
2. make an appointment with her/his academic advisor to discuss her/his plans and secure the advisor’s signature,
3. make an appointment with her/his financial aid counselor to discuss the financial aid implications and secure the counselor’s signature, and
4. send the completed and signed form to the Office of the Provost, where it will be approved or denied.

This process should be completed by the end of the semester prior to the semester or semesters for which the leave is requested. Except under the most unusual circumstances, no requests for a leave of absence during a semester will be considered after classes for that semester have begun. An approved one-semester leave of absence may be extended to a two- semester leave of absence. A written request for the extension must be submitted before the beginning of the second semester.

Transient Study

In order for a student to receive credit for work done at another institution, the Provost must approve in advance the institution selected and the courses to be taken. Applications for permission to take work at another institution should be submitted first to the student’s advisor prior to enrolling in the course(s). The necessary forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.

When determining a student’s credit load for maximum load or overload purposes, the load is computed by adding together the hours taken at Columbia College and the hours taken as transient study during that term or session. When determining part-time or full-time status, only the hours taken at Columbia College are used. For more details on maximum credit load and overloads, please see Student Course Load.

Work done at approved schools other than Columbia College will be accepted at Columbia College not to exceed a total of 15 semester hours except for those students participating in the Study Abroad Programs, the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) program approved by Columbia College, or the Paralegal Certification program or Nursing program at Midlands Technical College. Upon completion of this work, the student is responsible for having transcripts sent to the Office of the Registrar. If a student takes transient work during her last semester before graduation, she must ensure that she will finish transient course(s) and that the formal transcript of transient credit will be sent to Columbia College prior to Columbia College’s deadline for submission of senior grades.

No credit from another institution will be granted for a transient course unless a grade of “C” or above has been attained. Although credit hours earned elsewhere count toward graduation, these credits are not used in the calculation of the GPA. No courses taken at other institutions may apply toward the major or minor without prior approval by the Division Dean.

If credit is earned at another institution for a course previously graded as “Incomplete,” “Failed,” or “Withdrawn” at Columbia College, the appropriate Division may require that the student pass an examination at Columbia College, regardless of the grade attained in the other school’s course. No adjustment of the failing grade in the Columbia College course will be made.

General Education Courses

General Education courses usually take precedence over elective courses in the schedule of work for a semester. General Education courses may satisfy simultaneously both General Education and minor requirements. General Education courses may not satisfy simultaneously both General Education and major requirements. No course may be used to satisfy two or more general education requirements. Each Division Dean is empowered to make decisions regarding exceptions to general education requirements within the Division Dean’s curricular jurisdiction.

Co-Enrollment

Any student in the Day College may apply to co-enroll in one course per semester in the Evening College. The student will be billed the per credit rate for the Day College for the course if the course creates an overload in the student schedule or the student remains part-time with the addition of the co-enrolled course and will adhere to the drop deadline for their initial College.

Any student in the Evening College may apply to co-enroll in one course per semester in the Day College. The student will be billed the per credit rate for the Women’s College for the course if the course creates an overload in the student schedule or the student remains part-time with the addition of the co-enrolled course and will adhere to the drop deadline for their initial College.

Any student in the Online Program may apply to co-enroll in one course per semester in the Day College or Evening College. The student will be billed the per credit rate for the College that the course is housed in along with any associated fees for the course and will adhere to the drop deadline for the co-enrolled course. 

Any student in the Day or Evening College may apply to co-enroll in the Online College during any given module. The number of co-enrolled online semester hours may not exceed 50% of the student’s total semester hours. All tuition charges and drop deadlines of the student’s initial College will apply to the student’s full schedule for all courses, including Online College courses.

If an Evening College or Day College student is enrolled in an Online College course for module two and/or module three and chooses to drop the course or courses after his/her College add/drop deadline but prior to the add/drop deadline for the module, the student will remain responsible for the tuition charge. No adjustments will be made to financial aid with the exception of a Pell Grant if the student was awarded one for the semester. A notation of ‘NG’ for ‘No Grade’ will be entered for the dropped course(s) on the student’s transcript. If the student drops an Online College course during the standard add/drop period of their College, then the course will not remain on the transcript and no grade of ‘NG’ will be entered for the course and tuition and Financial Aid may be adjusted. Any Evening College or Day College student wishing to co-enroll in an online course after the add/drop period for the College has passed must petition the Provost’s Office for approval.

Specialized Credit Issues

Advanced Placement Options

Columbia College recognizes the concept of “course equivalency.” This concept permits the College to certify the educational value of private study and other out-of-class experiences and, following appropriate evaluation by the College, enables the student to receive academic credit towards a degree. Grades and quality points are not assigned to credits awarded by examination

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP)

Columbia College awards credit to students who have passed certain AP examinations at an acceptable level. These tests must be taken prior to enrollment. Divisions reserve the right to verify test results. The following table outlines credit acceptance. Credit may be awarded for other examinations not listed below.

 The College Board’s College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Columbia College awards credit to students who have passed certain CLEP Examinations at an acceptable level. These tests may be taken prior to enrollment or after a student has actually begun studies at the College. In most cases, the optional essay is also required. Divisions reserve the right to verify test results. The following table outlines credit acceptance. Credit may be awarded for examinations not listed below.

The International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

Columbia College awards credit to students who have taken college-level courses in secondary school through the International Baccalaureate Program. Students who have achieved an acceptable score on higher-level IB examinations and some standard-level examinations will be awarded credit. These examinations must be taken prior to enrollments. Divisions reserved the right to verify examination results. The following table outlines credit acceptance. Credit may be awarded for examinations not listed below.

* Credit for specific courses may be awarded based on which history examination options the student chose.

** Credit for specific courses may be awarded based on a review of the student’s portfolio.

Continuing Education and Training Credit

Students in an online program may earn up to a maximum of 32 semesters hours of credit for completion of applicable continuing education and training programs provided by one of the following institutions: FBI National Academy, FEMA Emergency Management Institute, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, National Academy of Criminal Justice, National Fire Academy, School of Police Staff and Command, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, South Carolina Fire Academy, and the Southern Police Institute. Similar institutions run by other states may be considered on a case-by-case basis. One semester hour of credit will be awarded for every documented 37.5 clock hours of training. All credit earned this way will be counted as elective credit only and will not satisfy any major or general education requirements.

Other Credit Options

Credit may also be awarded by individual divisions through other standardized nationally-administered tests, such as the SAT Subject Tests, or by divisional examination. Credit earned in these ways must have a Columbia College course equivalent. The maximum credit a student may earn through divisional examinations is 15 semester hours. Contact specific divisions for more information.

Placement in Modern Languages and Mathematics

A student’s placement in a subject will determine the courses she or he will be eligible to register for in that subject. Additional coursework may be required.

Modern Languages

Most students will be automatically placed in SPAN 121   Elementary Spanish I in preparation for SPAN 122   Elementary Spanish II, which satisfies the modern language requirement for General Education. Students can exempt SPAN 121 and place directly in SPAN 122 based on prior knowledge of Spanish. Students who wish to exempt SPAN 121 are required to take the Spanish placement.
Students can satisfy the Modern Language General Education requirement in the following alternative ways.

• Scoring high enough on the Spanish placement test. Students must take the Spanish placement in a proctored environment to be eligible.
• Transferring college credit for a modern spoken language from another accredited institution (earned through dual enrollment or transfer credits)
• Having earned designated scores on AP, IB or CLEP exams (see chart under “Specialized Credit Issues” in this Bulletin).

Note that Latin or Greek do not qualify as a modern language.

Mathematics

Selected mathematics, science and business courses require a mathematics prerequisite or appropriate scores on the Mathematics placement test. Students should consult with their advisor or the Registrar’s Office about whether they need to take the Mathematics placement test.

Specialized Credit/Courses/Programs

Audited Courses

Students have the option to audit a course but cannot receive credit for a course that has been audited unless the course is repeated for credit at a later time. The number of audit hours is not counted in the student’s regular course load. Students must satisfy the instructor’s attendance policy for an audit. Audited courses do appear on the student transcript with a grade of ‘AU’ for audit but will carry no grade points, will not be counted in the grade point average (GPA), and will not carry any credits towards graduation.

Pass/Fail Credits

Students may elect a limited number of courses on a pass/fail basis. A grade of pass will count toward graduation but will carry no grade points and will not be counted in the grade point average (GPA). It may be elected subject to the following criteria:

1. No courses may be elected on a pass/fail basis which are required as part of the General Education requirements, for certification, or as part of the major or minor. A grade of pass/fail will be mandatory for comprehensive examinations and all courses with course numbers ending in “70,” and in all one-semester-hour Physical Education Activity (PEA) courses.
2. No more than 18 credit hours may be elected on a pass/fail basis. No more than one course may be taken on a pass/fail option in any one semester. These restrictions do not apply to courses that are mandatory pass/fail.
3. A student electing the pass/fail option must be enrolled full-time at the College for the semester the option is taken and must not be on academic probation.
4. A course taken on a pass/fail basis may not be taken again for a grade (nor may the pass grade be changed to a letter grade), and no course previously failed may be taken again on a pass/fail basis. (An exception may be made to this requirement only if a student decides to change her major or minor to the field in which the pass/fail option was used, and then only with the approval of the instructor of that course and the Provost.)
5. A student who elects a pass/fail option must do so at registration by completing a Pass/fail Petition, and no change may be made after the add/drop period.
6. A pass grade shall reflect a level of achievement equal to the work of other students in the same class who receive a grade of “C” or better.

Independent Study

In order to fulfill their intellectual potential, Columbia College believes students should have substantial opportunity to work independently on projects initiated and designed by them. These projects consist of individual work under faculty supervision or guidance as specified.

1. The Application for Independent Study must be approved by the advisor, instructor, Division Dean and Provost prior to the close of registration. Forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.
2. Credit for independent study is available to qualified students of all classifications.
3. Credit restrictions: No more than 15 semester hours may be earned through independent study.
4. Regular course offerings should not be taken independently.
5. A student will not be permitted to pursue more than two independent study projects during a semester and may earn a maximum of six semester hours credit by independent study during one semester.
6. Independent study courses count as a part of the student’s credit load.
7. Students for whom an Independent Study form has not been received by the close of late registration will be dropped from the appropriate course.

Internships for Academic Credit

At Columbia College, the internship is a structured, supervised, credit-bearing educational experience which involves, at some level, practical application component outside the Columbia College classroom. Many academic programs offer an internship opportunity to connect the often theoretical, traditional classroom and the workplace. These internship experiences take many forms; therefore, the student should consult with her advisor, Career Services, the relevant program chair, and the potential faculty supervisor as soon as possible.

Specific steps students need to take in order to register for an internship for academic credit:

• Discuss the internship with the potential faculty supervisor to develop student learning outcomes, methods for reflecting on those outcomes, and to plan and secure placement.
• Fill out the Learning Contract for the program area of the desired internship during advisement. The completed form is submitted to the Director of Career Services as soon as the site and site supervisor have been confirmed.
• Placement should be secured and the Learning Contract submitted prior to the beginning of the semester of the internship.
• All internships require “Consent of the Instructor” as a prerequisite for registration. The faculty supervisor will notify the Registrar’s Office when a student has completed the Learning Contract and may then be registered for the course.
• Certain internships in some programs have additional prerequisites. These prerequisites are published in the Course Descriptions below. Students should check with their advisors that they meet these additional prerequisites before moving forward with the process.

Additional policies concerning internships for academic credit:

• Internships have course numbers ending in 70; one or two letters may follow the 70.
• Internships require a minimum of 30 hours of on-site work for each semester hour of credit.
• On-site hours performed prior to completing the Learning Contract and registering for the course cannot be counted towards the hours needed for academic credit.
• Students must reflect on how the student learning outcomes are being achieved during the internship period.
• Internships are graded on a pass/fail basis.

Foreign Study

To encourage students to broaden their cultural backgrounds, Columbia College offers a number of opportunities for foreign study. Under the supervision of the Columbia College faculty, foreign study courses are offered in such areas as art, English, history, music and Romance languages.

Columbia College also has cooperative programs with other colleges throughout the United States and in several foreign countries, making it possible for students to spend a semester or a full academic year studying abroad.

Washington Semester

The College offers a semester of study each fall in Washington, D.C., for qualified students. The semester includes coursework and seminars on women in politics, along with custom-designed internships in students’ areas of interest.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

Columbia College students are eligible for voluntary participation in ROTC programs leading to commissions in the U.S. Army upon graduation. Two- and four-year programs are currently offered through an agreement at the University of South Carolina.

Columbia College students enjoy all the benefits accorded ROTC students at the host institution. Scholarships, available to qualified students, include monthly subsistence allowances, full tuition, and books. Students receive a maximum of nine semester hours for ROTC courses, which are counted as electives toward graduation. Students assume responsibility for inter-campus transportation.

Further information about the ROTC program is available through the Columbia College Office of Admissions and the University of South Carolina Army ROTC Office.

Credit Restriction Policies

Courses in the Major and Minor

Day College

A student is expected to take her major and minor courses at Columbia College. After entering Columbia College, any major and minor courses taken at other institutions (whether prior to or after the declaration of major or minor) will not be accepted without written approval of the program chair for the major or minor. A student must take at least 12 semester hours in her major at Columbia College. These 12 hours cannot include courses graded on a pass/fail basis. A student must take at least one-half of the hours in her minor at Columbia College. When a student is pursuing more than one major, there must be at least 15 hours counting toward each major that are not also counted towards the other major(s). No more than one-half of the credit hours for a minor may also be counted toward a major. General Education courses may satisfy simultaneously both General Education and minor requirements, but may not simultaneously satisfy both General Education and major program requirements.

Required semester-hour ranges for various Columbia College programs are specified below:

Evening College

A student is expected to take her/his major and minor courses at Columbia College. After entering Columbia College, any major and minor courses taken at other institutions (whether prior to or after the declaration of major or minor) will not be accepted without written approval of the program chair for the major or minor. A student must take at least 12 semester hours in her/his major at Columbia College. These 12 hours cannot include courses graded on a pass/fail basis. A student must take at least one-half of the hours in her/his minor at Columbia College. When a student is pursuing more than one major, there must be at least 15 hours counting toward each major that are not also counted towards the other major(s). No more than one-half of the credit hours for a minor may also be counted toward a major. General Education courses may satisfy simultaneously both General Education and minor requirements, but may not simultaneously satisfy both General Education and major program requirements.

Required semester-hour ranges for various Evening College programs are specified below:

Online Program

A student is expected to take major and minor courses at Columbia College. After entering Columbia College, any major courses taken at other institutions (whether prior to or after the declaration of major) will not be accepted without written approval of the program chair for the major or minor. A student must take at least 12 semester hours in the major at Columbia College. These 12 hours cannot include courses graded on a pass/fail basis.

Final Work for a Degree

If a student takes transient work during her/his last semester before graduation, she/he must ensure that she/he will finish transient course(s) and that the formal transcript of transient credit will be sent to Columbia College prior to the College’s deadline for submission of senior grades.

Other Course Restrictions

Physical Education Activities

A limit of six semester hours in PEA courses may count towards graduation requirements with a limit of one course per semester. Additional courses may be taken and will appear on transcripts but will not be counted towards the 120 hours needed for graduation.

Transfer Credit

Columbia College’s transfer credit policies are intended to facilitate the transfer of credit from other institutions while also ensuring the quality of courses being transferred as well as their comparability with Columbia College courses and their relevance to the mission and programs of Columbia College.

To further ease the transfer process, Columbia College has established a bridge program with Midlands Technical College.

Eligible Credit

In order to ensure the quality of the transfer credit, only courses taken at a regionally accredited post-secondary institution in which the student earned a grade of “C” or better will be evaluated for transfer credit. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis will be evaluated for credit if the student earned a passing grade and the passing grade is equivalent to earning a grade of “C” or better. Audited courses and courses taken for no credit will not be evaluated. All courses meeting the criteria above, regardless of their mode of delivery (on-line, blended, or traditional), will be evaluated for transfer credit. In addition, the mode of delivery of a course does not affect the results of its evaluation. However, only courses taken at or as part of a study abroad program through the institution issuing a transcript will be evaluated for credit.

Transcripts from the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcripts System (AARTS) will be evaluated for potential transfer credit. Credit may also be awarded on the bases of scores from AP, CLEP, IB, and other standardized examinations as well as departmental examinations.

Evaluation of Credit

Potential transfer credit is evaluated on the basis of level, content, comparability, and relevance. Transfer credit will not be awarded for developmental courses or courses below the lowest-level Columbia College course in a subject. Most other transfer courses, subject to the limitations below, will be awarded credit. Transfer courses may be deemed equivalent to Columbia College courses. Depending on the level, content, and relevance of the course, non-equivalent transfer credit may satisfy requirements for a major or minor, may satisfy general education requirements, or may only count as an elective. Evaluation of transfer credit is done by the Registrar’s Office although the decisions about the acceptability of transfer credit are made by the appropriate Division Deans.

Limitations of Credit

Columbia College has the following limitations on transfer credit.

• A student may transfer a total of at most 90 semester hours from junior colleges, technical colleges, or two-year institutions.
• General education or elective credit will be awarded for science courses more than 10 years old. However, those courses may not be used to satisfy a major or minor requirement in the sciences. A transferred science course without an associated laboratory component will only be eligible for elective credit unless the laboratory component is completed within five years of the completion of the original course.
• Credit is not awarded for computer courses more than 8 years old.
• Only non-equivalent elective credit is awarded for business or economics courses more than 10 years old.
• Only non-equivalent elective credit is awarded for education courses more than 10 years old.
• A maximum total of 6 hours of physical education activity courses (either taken at Columbia College or transferred in) may count towards the 120 hours needed for graduation.
• At most 3 hours of non-equivalent elective credit will be awarded for one “Introduction to College” seminar; additional seminars will not be awarded credit.
• Non-equivalent elective credit may be awarded for internships or field experiences.
• Transfer credit is not awarded for courses taken the semester following a student’s academic exclusion from Columbia College.

Other Policies Relevant to Transfer Students

• Students must take 30 semester hours of Columbia College coursework before graduation.
• Students must take at least 12 semester hours of major coursework at Columbia College before graduation. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis do not count towards these 12 hours.
• Students must take at least half of the hours in a minor at Columbia College in order to graduate with the minor.
• Students must have 55 hours of letter-graded coursework at Columbia College and a sufficiently high cumulative GPA to be eligible for graduation honors.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Columbia College may confer a second bachelor’s degree upon current students wishing to pursue two different degrees concurrently; Columbia College alumnae wishing to pursue a second degree of the same type or of a different type; and students who have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year college who wish to pursue a second degree of the same type or of a different type. The two degrees must be in different majors. The following requirements pertain to students from the categories identified above:

Students wishing to pursue a second degree or two degrees concurrently must: (1) consult with an advisor in each major for which a degree is sought; (2) submit a Dual Degree Form to the Office of the Registrar; (3) adhere to the requirements of the Columbia College Bulletin under which the student is accepted for the second degree; (4) meet all Columbia College requirements for the major, including any specified general education courses; (5) contact the Columbia College Division of Education if the second degree involves teacher certification to determine additional courses which may be required; and (6) complete a minimum of 30 semester hours at Columbia College beyond those required for the first degree.

Requirements regarding grades, residence, proficiency, and application for degree.

The student must earn at Columbia College a minimum of 25 percent of all courses required by the degree at Columbia College. This requirement means that at least 30 semester hours of coursework must be taken at Columbia College.

A student must take at least 12 semester hours in her major at Columbia College. These 12 hours cannot include courses graded on a pass/fail basis.

Concurrent Bachelor Degrees

Students may pursue two different degree types in different majors at Columbia College concurrently. All requirements for each major and degree must be met in order to graduate with both degrees. If the student graduates with both degrees at the same time, then she/he need only complete a total of 120 hours just as if she/he were a double major with a single degree. However, if she/he graduates with one degree prior to the other one, then she/he will be considered as pursuing a second degree and subject to the rules above with two exceptions: one, she/he may continue to use the degree requirements in the Bulletin she/he used for the first degree provided continuous enrollment is maintained and two, the additional 30 hours will be required (to make a total of 150) although they may include courses taken prior to the first graduation.