Academic Policies

This bulletin contains policies and requirements for all undergraduate programs. It can also be accessed through the College website at http://www.columbiasc.edu.

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 Standard, Ethics and Review 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. Petition for exception to specific major or minor program academic policies must be made following the Academic Grievance Procedure listed in this bulletin.

Graduation Requirements

Degree Requirements

A student is generally graduated according to degree requirements published for the semester of her/his initial Columbia College registration as a degree-seeking student unless attendance has not been continuous. In cases of readmission, degree requirements published for the semester of readmission must be met.

Any student may choose by written request to be graduated according to degree requirements published after her/his current graduation requirements. A student making this choice must accept all changes made to the degree requirements between the two publication dates.

The College reserves the right to change requirements for graduation when it is decided that such changes are necessary. Graduation is permitted only after a student has completed all attempted courses and has satisfied all of the relevant academic requirements for her/his degree program. A graduate must satisfy all financial obligations to the College to be able to participate in Commencement, receive a diploma, or have her/his official transcripts released.

Semester Hours

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are required to complete 120 semester hours of college work. This work must include the appropriate General Education requirements and a major field of study chosen from those listed in this bulletin. Students enrolled in the Second Bachelor’s Degree program should refer to the special requirements.

GPA Needed for Graduation

The College requires a final cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and a GPA of at least 2.50 in the major and optional minor fields.

Residence Time

Degree applicants must complete 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.

A student must take at least half of the hours in her minor at Columbia College.

Application for Degree

A student must file an Application for Degree with the Office of the Registrar. Students completing requirements in December must turn their form in no later than October 1 and for May completion no later than February 1, and for August completion no later than June 15. Degrees will be issued at commencement in May and December.

Walking at Commencement

Students who fail to satisfy all requirements to complete their degree may petition to participate at Commencement if the following criteria have been met.

1. Student was approved by the Board of Trustees and Faculty to graduate,
2. Student has no more than 6 hours of outstanding coursework or student has completed all course requirements but has not yet passed a required licensure examination.
3. Student is registered for all remaining coursework in the subsequent regular semester.
4. Student has a 2.5 GPA in the major and a 2.0 CC cumulative GPA
5. Student has satisfied all financial obligations to the College through the end of the current semester and for the subsequent semester in which they are registered.

Credit Restriction Policies

Courses in the Major and Minor

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.

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.

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.

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: 1) 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 2) the additional 30 hours may include courses taken prior to the first graduation to make a total of 150 semester hours.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Columbia College may confer a second bachelor’s degree upon 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. The two degrees must be in different majors.

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

Leave of Absence

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 may apply for a leave of absence. A leave of absence may be granted for one calendar year from the date of the Leave of Absence would go into effect. 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.

In the semester prior to the student’s return to Columbia College, the student will need to contact the Registrar’s Office to notify them of their intent to return. The student will then contact her/his advisor in order to register for the next semester. 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. Make an appointment with her/his financial aid counselor to discuss the financial aid
2. Make an appointment with her/his academic advisor to discuss her/his plans
3. Submit the Withdrawal and Leave of Absence Form on Koala Connection.

Leave of Absence requests will be reviewed by either the Provost or the Dean of Student Success and Services for approval.

Withdrawal from College

Students who find it necessary to discontinue their college work during a session must complete a Withdrawal and Leave of Absence Form, available in Koala Connection, before the last day to withdraw. Failure to follow this procedure by the appropriate deadline 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. Deadlines can be found on the Academic Calendar.

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

Online Programs Only

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.

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

Grading System

Grade Point Average

In addition to individual course grades, the quality of a student’s work is indicated by her grade point average (GPA). Numerical values called grade points are assigned to each letter grade as indicated in the grading system. The grade points earned in a course are computed by multiplying the appropriate grade point value by the number of semester hours credit assigned to the course. The GPA is obtained by dividing grade points earned by semester hours attempted. Credit earned at other institutions and courses taken on a pass/fail basis are not used in calculating the GPA.

Course Withdrawals

Following the add/drop period, students may withdraw from courses by completing a Course Withdrawal Form, available in Koala Connection. 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.”

Online Program Courses Only

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.

Incomplete

The grade of incomplete may be given for incomplete work for any course in which work remains undone and the student is unable to fulfill all requirements because of circumstances beyond her/his control. This grade is not given in lieu of unsatisfactory or failing grades (for completed courses) with an opportunity of improving the grade later. The grade of incomplete is received and recorded only by the following procedure:

A grade of INC may be given only at the end of the course. The following are appropriate reasons for giving an incomplete:

1. The student is ill and this can be satisfactorily documented.
2. There is a death or illness in the student’s family and this can be satisfactorily documented.
3. The student had to participate in an internship and was unable to complete some course work.
4. Extenuating circumstances, such as deployment, call to service in state or national emergencies.

The steps below will be adhered to when granting an incomplete:

1. A student may request an incomplete no later than the last day of class. Any appropriate documentation must be supplied within five business days of the request. 
2. The student must have completed approximately 50% of the course to be eligible for an incomplete.
3. Using the appropriate incomplete form, an instructor will contract with the student for a deadline to clear an incomplete which must be completed by the end of the following semester. If no grade is submitted by the given deadline, the Registrar’s Office will contact the instructor for a final grade. If no grade is submitted, the incomplete will be changed to an F.
4. If a faculty member becomes ill, dies, or leaves the institution, then any final decisions about grades will be determined by the program.
5. When incompletes are completed, the action appropriate for the student’s standing becomes effective as soon as possible: Academic Honors, Warning, Probation, etc.

Students who utilize financial aid are also advised to check with the Office of Financial Aid to determine the effect of incompletes (or withdrawals) on financial aid eligibility.

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.

Repeated Courses

Courses may be taken to improve academic standing. The highest grade earned on a repeated course will determine the number of grade points to be used in calculating the cumulative GPA. Repeated courses are included in the semester hour load and are subject to the usual fee assessment.

The course descriptions for some courses include a note that the course may be taken multiple times for credit. For those courses, and those courses only, a student may earn credit for taking the course multiple times. The hours and grades earned for all of the times the course is taken, subject to any limitations included in the course description, are used to determine the student’s cumulative hours earned and cumulative GPA. However, if a student receives a grade of “D”, “WD”, “F”, or “U” in such a course, the student will be assumed to be repeating the course to improve academic standing as in the previous paragraph when she next takes the course. In the
case of a grade of “D”, the student may, in writing, inform the Registrar’s Office that she is taking the course for additional credit and not repeating it for improvement.

If a student receives a failing grade (“WD”, “F”, or “U”) three times in the same course at Columbia College, the student may not repeat the course at Columbia College, and one grade of “F” will be used to compute the cumulative GPA.

Grade Reports and Disclosure of Grades

At the close of each semester, final reports of courses attempted and grades are released to students. Mid-semester grades are regarded as progress reports. They are not used as a basis for administrative actions such as academic probation or student activity disqualification, but they are the basis of extra advisory action. All grades are available to students on Koala Connection.

Grades will not be disclosed or posted in any way that would allow another person to identify an individual student’s grade.

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 Day 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 full semesters: Classes offered in a shorter term (e.g., 7-week term) 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: An online or hybrid 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 Standing/Probation/Dismissal

Academic Probation

Continuance in good standing depends on the quality and quantity of work achieved. The following scale is used to determine minimum conditions for satisfactory academic progress. (See academic progress standards in the Financial Aid section of this catalog.)

Failure to meet such standards will result in a student being placed on academic probation and limited to registering for no more than 13 semester hours in the subsequent term. Failure to maintain minimum conditions for good standing may result in dismissal.

Academic Dismissal

A student whose first semester is a fall semester and who is placed on academic probation at the end of her/his first semester at Columbia College will be dismissed if her/his cumulative GPA is less than what is required for good academic standing after her/his second semester. Any other student who is placed on academic probation will be dismissed if she/he remains on academic probation for two consecutive semesters and if her/his cumulative GPA is still less than what is required to be in good academic standing.

When the College dismisses a student, the College need not assign further reasons and neither the College nor any of its officers shall be under liability whatsoever for any such action.

Readmission of Dismissed Students

A student who is dismissed for academic difficulties is eligible to apply for readmission after one semester. Readmission is assessed based on the student’s financial standing with the College and previous judicial record.

If readmitted, the student will be placed on academic probation with a maximum course load of 13 semester hours. She/he will once again be dismissed for academic reasons if her cumulative GPA remains less than what is required for good academic standing after two consecutive semesters and will only be eligible for readmission through the Academic Renewal Policy.

Academic Renewal Policy

A student whose cumulative grade point average is below 2.00 who applies for readmission to Columbia College after an absence of at least three calendar years from Columbia College may apply for academic renewal. Under academic renewal, a student will receive credit toward graduation for grades of “C” or above on courses previously taken at Columbia College but will not receive any quality points.

The following provisions apply to the academic renewal policy:

1. A student must accept or reject academic renewal upon readmission.
2. A student will be granted academic renewal one time only.
3. A student who has twice been excluded for academic reasons will be eligible for academic renewal.
4. A student admitted under academic renewal will be considered in good academic standing. In addition, failing grades received in a course taken at Columbia College before academic renewal will not be considered in determining whether the student may repeat a course.
5. Any academic credit earned at another regionally accredited institution will be evaluated according to current College transfer policy.
6. Following readmission under the academic renewal policy, a student must complete a minimum of 25 percent of all courses required by the degree at Columbia College, including 12 semester hours in her major. This requirement means that at least 30 semester hours of coursework must be taken at Columbia College.
7. A student who accepts academic renewal and who subsequently completes at least 55 hours of graded (not pass/fail) coursework will be eligible to graduate with honors from Columbia College in accordance with appropriate GPA honors requirements.
8. The student’s permanent academic record will remain an unmodified record of all work attempted at Columbia College. The record will contain a statement that the student has been granted academic renewal by Columbia College.

Academic Honors

President’s List

Students who have earned a minimum of 12 semester hours in a semester, who have a GPA of 4.00 for that semester, and who have not received a course grade of “F,” “U,” “WD,” or “INC” in that semester are placed on the President’s List. The 12 semester hours may not include pass/fail courses, and only Columbia College work qualifies a student for the President’s List.

Dean’s List

Students who have earned a minimum of 12 semester hours in a semester, who have a GPA of 3.50 or better for that semester, and who have not received a course grade of “F,” “U,” “WD,” or “INC” in that semester are placed on the Dean’s List. The 12 semester hours must include nine semester hours taken on a graded basis and may not include elective pass/fail courses. Only Columbia College work qualifies a student for the Dean’s List.

Annual President’s List

Students who have earned a minimum of 12 semester hours in an academic year, who have earned no more than 11 semester hours in any one term (Fall semester, Spring semester, or Summer sessions) during that year, who have a GPA of 4.00 for classes taken during that year, and who have not received a course grade of “F”, “U”, “WD”, or “INC” during that year are placed on the Annual President’s List. The 12 semester hours may not include pass/fail courses and only Columbia College work qualifies a student for the Annual President’s List.

Annual Dean’s List

Students who have earned a minimum of 12 semester hours in an academic year, who have earned no more than 11 semester hours in any one term (Fall semester, Spring semester, or Summer sessions) during that year, who have a GPA of 3.50 or better for classes taken during that year, and who have not received a course grade of “F”, “U”, “WD”, or “INC” during that year are placed on the Annual Dean’s List. The 12 semester hours must include nine semester hours
taken on a graded basis and may not include elective pass/fail courses. Only Columbia College work qualifies a student for the Annual Dean’s List.

College Marshals

Five students with the highest scholastic average from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes serve as marshals. The senior with the highest average serves as Chief Marshal.

Honor Graduates

Honors in three levels of attainment are conferred at graduation. Candidates for baccalaureate degrees who have demonstrated unusual scholastic ability by the maintenance of a cumulative GPA between 3.950 and 4.000, inclusive, graduate summa cum laude; candidates with a cumulative GPA between 3.850 and 3.949, inclusive, graduate magna cum laude; and candidates with a cumulative GPA between 3.750 and 3.849, inclusive, graduate cum laude. Honor graduates must have earned 55 semester hours of graded coursework at Columbia College.

Candidates who have fewer than 55 semester hours of graded coursework at Columbia College and who demonstrate scholastic ability by the maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 3.750 or higher are awarded honor cords which they may wear at Commencement.

Credit From Other Institutions

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.

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 grade adjustment will be made at Columbia College.

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.
• 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.

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.

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 or can be downloaded on Koala Connection.

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. Students may not take transient course work during their last semester at Columbia College.

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.

Other Credit Options

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.

Credit by Examination

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.

Continuing Education and Training Credit

Students may earn up to a maximum of 24 semester hours of credit for completion of a state- or federally-certified program provided by institutions such as the 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, the Southern Police Institute, or state-approved college academies. Similar institutions offered in other states may also be considered. Annual training will not be considered.

One semester hour of credit will be awarded for every documented 37.5 clock hours of the program (or for one full-time week at an academy). Program credit will be counted toward elective hours only and will not satisfy any major or general education requirements. Official transcripts must document program completion/graduation and transcript(s) submission is permitted one time per student for evaluation. A committee will determine and approve the total number of credits awarded.

Advising

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. Day College students are required to meet with their assigned faculty advisor every semester, prior to enrollment for the next semester. Online programs and Evening College students are strongly encouraged to meet with their advisor prior to enrolling for the next semester, but advisor clearance is not required. 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. Prepare for the advising appointment by reviewing their degree requirements and possible courses based on the current course schedule,
3. Inform her/his advisor of schedule changes, course withdrawals, and other unexpected events in her/his progress during a semester,
4. Have no outstanding charges in the Office of Financial Services which inhibit pre-registration or registration,
5. Complete registration for each semester during the allotted time,
6. Meet all requirements for the anticipated degree as stated in the Bulletin, and
7. 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.

Career Advising

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. Students are encouraged to seek professional opportunities of growth and development through career coaching, mentoring, and other applied learning experiences provided by the Office of Career Services.

Role of a Career Coach
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.
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.

Career Advising Preparation
Students will:

1. Arrange a meeting with a Career Coach.
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.

Registration Procedures

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.

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.

Co-Enrollment

Any student in the Evening or Online Colleges 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 Day College for the course.

Any student in the Day College may apply to co-enroll in the Evening or Online Colleges. The number of co-enrolled semester hours may not exceed 50% of the student’s total semester hours. 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.

Students that co-enroll will adhere to the add/drop policies that apply to the specific course(s). If students add/drop courses that begin later in the semester, tuition and financial aid will be adjusted accordingly. Students should consult with Financial Services prior to adjusting their schedules after the start of the semester.

Waitlists

A student may add themselves to a waitlist for a course that is full during the add/drop period via Koala Connection. If a seat becomes available, the Registrar’s Office will contact the student in writing to offer the seat. The student will then have 24 hours to respond to the offer. If the student does not respond, the student will be removed from the waitlist and the seat will then be offered to the next person on the waitlist. The Registrar’s Office will not automatically enroll a student on the waitlist without consulting with the student in advance.

Course Availability

Certain courses required for degree completion are offered on a rotating basis. It is the student’s responsibility to know his/her degree requirements and take the necessary courses when offered. If a required course is not taken in the scheduled rotation, additional semesters may be required for degree completion.

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. The Provost makes the decisions regarding exception to Liberal Arts (LA) course requirements.

Course Changes

During the first week of classes each semester, course changes may be made via Koala Connection. All changes are subject to space and availability and should be made in consultation with the student’s advisor. Courses dropped during the add/drop period will not appear on a student’s transcript.

It is the student’s responsibility to carry out schedule changes in accordance with the proper procedures. A student who attends a course, but fails to officially add it during the allotted time, will receive no credit for the course. A student who has failed to add the course they are attending may request a late add of the course through the Provost’s Office. A student who fails to properly drop a course will receive the grade he/she has earned in that course.

Credit Load Per Semester

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).

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 Internship and Learning Contract Form for the program area of the desired internship during advisement. Submit the completed form to the Registrar’s Office prior to the beginning of the semester of the internship.
• Student will be added to the course only after the completed Internship and Learning Contract Form has been submitted to the Registrar’s Office.
• 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.

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.

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 or are available for download on Koala Connection.
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, except under exceptional circumstances.
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. An independent study course will be added to a student schedule only after the completed independent study form has been approved and submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

Class Absence

College sanctioned events are important to building a rich and multi-faceted student experience, a core value of the college mission. Therefore, if a student is representing the college in an official capacity (e.g.: academic conference, student government, course field trips, athletics, performances) and the Office of the Provost has approved the activity, in writing, as an official college-sanctioned event, that class or lab absence shall be excused. Such students are responsible for all coursework missed; faculty are responsible for articulating a clear attendance policy that specifies an acceptable number of excused and unexcused absences and for determining a reasonable time frame and method for making up missed work.

It remains the responsibility of the student to communicate accurately and regularly with the professor or instructor about missed class due to any reason, including for college-sanctioned events. During the first week of each semester students shall provide advanced official documentation of proposed college-sanctioned events that will result in excused absences, unless such notice is impracticable (e.g. rescheduled events). Students and faculty may appeal the administration of any aspect of this policy directly to the Provost whose decision shall be final.

The policy for class attendance for all students is to be established by each instructor in his or her own class. That policy should be consistent with the attainment of educational objectives and the development of the student’s personal maturity. A written statement of this policy shall be given to students at the first class session and a copy shall be filed with the Provost.

Absences will be excused at the discretion of the individual professor. If students have to miss class because of participation in a varsity athletic game or other official college business, faculty will give them the opportunity to turn in work in advance or make up work missed if at all
possible. A student whose absences exceed the number allowed by the instructor’s policy shall receive the grade of “FA” for that course.

Students who desire exceptions to a professor’s attendance policy should appeal to the Division Dean no later than mid-semester following the semester in which the class was taken. If the professor is the Division Dead, the appeal should be made to the Provost. In case of extreme hardship, the Provost or the President of the College has the authority to make an immediate decision on an appeal.

Academic Grievance Procedure

Some major or minor academic programs have program specific academic policies (e.g., eligibility to field experience or clinicals). A student who wishes to appeal for an exception to a program specific academic policy must follow the procedure below.

1. If the program has an appeal process for program academic policies, this process must be followed.
2. If a program does not specify an appeal process, the student must first submit a written petition to appeal the policy to the Division Dean. The petition must clearly state the policy that is being appealed, the reason for the appeal, and provide any supporting documentation. The Division Dean will constitute a review committee of three or five members, including the Division Dean, the chair of the program, and at least one other program or division faculty member to hear the appeal. One of the committee members must be outside the program. The review committee will review the appeal and any related documentation and vote on the appeal. The review committee may approve the appeal, deny the appeal or approve the appeal with conditions. The Division Dean notify in writing the student and program chair of the review committee’s decision.
3. If the student wishes to appeal the decision obtained in step (1) or (2), then the student must submit a written petition to the Provost who will convene an Academic Grievance Committee. The Provost will make a copy of the written petition available to all members of the grievance committee prior to the meeting. The Academic Grievance Committee is chaired by the Provost and consists of three members of the Standards, Review, and Ethics Committee and two students appointed by the Provost. The Provost has no vote in the Academic Grievance Committee’s deliberations. The student who is petitioning for an appeal and the chair of the program involved may be requested to present their case at the Academic Grievance Committee meeting.
4. The Provost must inform the student, program chair and division dean in writing of the Academic Grievance Committee’s decision.
5. If the decision does not resolve the grievance, then the student may petition in writing the President of the College. The decision of the President must be communicated in writing to the student, the Dean of the Division and the chair of the program
6. The student lodging the grievance action may ask another Columbia College student, faculty member, or staff member to accompany them to any of the conferences or Grievance Committee meetings scheduled as part of the appeal process.

The grievant has 30 days from the time they were informed of being negatively impacted by a program specific academic policy to notify the Provost in writing of their intent to request a hearing before the Academic Grievance Committee. Step (1) or (2), as appropriate, must be followed before the student may submit a request for a hearing. Failure to follow the established procedure may result in the denial of the request.

Student Grade Grievance Procedure

A student who wishes to appeal for an exception to a grade must follow the procedure below.

1. The grade grievance procedure may be pursued only to contest a final course grade.
2. A student who believes that they have been unjustly evaluated and assigned an unfair course grade by a professor must first contact that professor to discuss the complaint.
3. If the matter remains unresolved, then the student and professor must confer with the Division Dean of the specific division concerned.
4. If the matter is not resolved, then the student must submit a written petition and pertinent documentation to the Dean of the Division concerned. The Division Dean must schedule a meeting with the student and the professor. All documents to be considered must be made available to all parties prior to the meeting. After reviewing the petition and documentation and discussing the issue with the student and professor, the Division Dean must notify the student and the professor in writing of her/his decision.
5. If the matter is yet unresolved, then the student must submit a written petition to the Provost who will convene the Grade Grievance Committee. The Provost will make a copy of the written petition available to all members of the grievance committee prior to the meeting. The Grade Grievance Committee is chaired by the Provost and consists of three members of the Standards, Review, and Ethics Committee and two students appointed by the Provost. The Provost has no vote in the Grade Grievance Committee’s deliberations.
6. The Provost must inform the student and the professor in writing of the Grade Grievance Committee’s decision. This decision must be limited to the issue of the grade. If the grade is changed, the Provost must notify the Office of the Registrar.
7. If the decision does not resolve the grievance, then the student may petition in writing the President of the College. The decision of the President must be communicated in writing to the student and the professor. This decision must be limited to the issue of the grade. If the grade is changed, the President must notify the Office of the Registrar.
8. The student lodging the grievance may ask another Columbia College student, faculty member, or staff member to accompany them to any of the conferences or Grade Grievance Committee meetings scheduled as part of the complaint process.

The grievant has 45 days from the end of the academic term in which the grade was recorded to notify the Provost in writing of their intent to request a hearing before the Grade Grievance Committee. Steps 1-4 must be followed before the student may submit a request for a hearing. Failure to follow the established procedure may result in the denial of the request.

Confidentiality of Student Records

Policies regarding the confidentiality of student records are in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly referred to as the Buckley Amendment. A detailed statement of the policy appears in the Columbia College Student Handbook.

Transcripts

The transcript of a student’s academic record will be released by the Office of the Registrar only upon receipt of the student’s written request. No transcript will be issued to a student who is indebted to the College.

Study Abroad

Students interested in studying abroad for a semester, for an academic year, or during the summer at one of our affiliate programs or partnering exchange institutions may receive advising and assistance in planning the experience. Students interested in short-term service or research-based study travel may also contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs & Community Resources for guidance. Guidance includes program-specific information, including cost analysis and funding guidance; assisting students in preparing to assess the viability of the potential experience with their academic advisors; and providing pre-departure and return education opportunities for students traveling outside the U.S. as well as inbound international orientation programs for students who choose to study abroad at Columbia College. 

In the past, Columbia College had consortia arrangements with language immersion programs at the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain, and with the Catholic University of the West, the CIDEF, in Angers, France. Columbia College maintains an exchange program with universities in Northern Ireland through the Study USA Business Education initiative (BEI), University of Dortmund in Germany, and Sookmyung University in Seoul, Korea. These application-based programs have limited openings and require a campus nomination for eligibility.

Students who attend these programs pay tuition to Columbia College. They may opt to pay room and board to Columbia College and have the college pay the partner institution up to the amount of CC room and board, or they may arrange to pay room and board themselves directly to the affiliate program or partnering institution. Students are responsible for paying their transportation to the sites and for their incidental expenses.

In general, for students interested in participating in non-affiliate study travel programs, Columbia College is happy to try and enable these experiences when possible. Federal financial aid and state financial resources can often apply to the expenses of such programs. Apart from the Dr. Selden K. Smith Endowed Scholarship for Student Global Experience, other Columbia College grants and scholarships may NOT be applicable to this type of study. 

The Office of Multicultural Affairs & Community Resources will assist the student in navigating the application and payment process as well as completing arrangements with the Registrar’s Office to receive academic credit. 

See sections for Transient Study and Transfer Credit for more information regarding academic credits and study 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.