Academic Information

Planning and Managing Course Load

Placement Tests
All students entering a degree or certificate program are required by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to take assessment tests in order to ensure appropriate placement in classes. The tests assess students’ skill levels in reading, writing and mathematics. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with academic background information, are used by college advisors to help students choose courses prior to registration. Should developmental work be necessary, you’ll receive help to select the courses you need.

Writing
Satisfactory performance on the English Placement test or in ENG 10, Basic Writing Skills, is necessary to enroll in ENG 11, College Writing. Those students whose scores indicate that they need additional work in writing will be placed in ENG 10.

Reading
Students who perform below the required level on the reading skills test must successfully complete RDG 09, Fundamentals of Reading Development, and/or RDG 10, College Reading and Learning Strategies, before the end of their second semester.

Mathematics
Students who perform below the required level on the arithmetic test must successfully complete MTH 01, Arithmetic. Students who score below the required level on the elementary algebra test must successfully complete MTH 1N, MTH 4N, or MTH 07, depending on their math background and academic program.

English as a Second Language
Students who enter the College through the English-as-a-Second-Language program must complete appropriate placement tests administered by the Director of Student Testing and Assessment upon completion of the ESL program. Those who perform below the required level on the assessment tests will be required to complete ENG 10 and/or RDG 10 as appropriate.

Attendance
Attending every class meeting is important to your success in college. Guidelines for attendance are established by the faculty within a department or program, with the approval of the divisional assistant dean. Instructors provide students with that attendance policy in writing by the end of the first week of classes, including how excused and unexcused absences will affect grades. Faculty members take attendance for each class session. It is the student’s responsibility to know the attendance policy in each class and laboratory.

Unless an announcement is made to the contrary, a class is considered dismissed if the instructor does not appear within fifteen minutes of the beginning of a class period. Students who expect to be absent for an extended period due to illness, accident, or other unavoidable problem should notify the Vice President of Enrollment Services.

Students who attend a field trip should make arrangements with their other course instructors to make up any assignments missed on that day. Those who cannot attend classes, take an exam, study, or fulfill class assignments on a particular day because of their religious beliefs will be given an opportunity to make up their work at the convenience of the instructor. Students cannot be penalized for taking advantage of this right.

Course load
A full-time course load is 12 credit hours or more a semester. Students on academic probation can register for no more than 13 credits. A load of five courses (15 to 17 credit hours) is considered to be the normal load, although in some programs more credits may be required in some semesters to complete the program within two years. Honor students (3.2 or higher average) may register for six courses (18-20 credit hours). Requests for exceptions may be made in writing to the Academic Standing Committee.

Plan for at least two to three hours of study for each class hour. A student carrying 15 credits, for example, should schedule 30 to 45 hours for study each week.

Final examinations
Final examination, including projects and other evaluation activities, are given during the week following the end of classes each semester. Final examinations can be made up only for compelling reasons, such as accidents or sickness, and with the permission of the instructor. A physician’s certificate may be required if the reason is medical. A student who misses a final examination is responsible for contacting the instructor and arranging to take the exam during the scheduled make-up and conflict period or at another time. If the instructor is not available the student should contact the appropriate divisional assistant dean.

Registering for courses
Students may register for classes at any time during the registration period. All students are to be registered in courses by the end of the first week of classes. No course changes will be permitted after that time, except with written approval of the faculty member concerned. Course change forms may be obtained in the Advisement Center or the Enrollment Center.

Dropping a course
Students who need to adjust their schedules due to a change in program or other reason may do so during the registration period and through the first week of classes. After the first week of classes student cannot add a class without instructor authorization. Students may drop any course through the second week of classes without penalty. After the second week of classes any student who drops a class will receive a grade of “W” (see “Withdrawal Policy”).

To receive a “W,” students must consult a counselor and the instructor by or before the tenth week of classes. The counselor and instructor sign a withdrawal form signifying that the consultations have occurred. Withdrawal forms also are available in the Advisement/Counseling Center. A grade of either “W” or “F” may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor to any student who withdraws from a course or from the College after the tenth week of classes. Forms must be forwarded to the Enrollment Center.

Auditing a course
A student may audit a single course for no credit with the consent of the instructor. A student may register for audit one week prior to the start of class through the Drop/Add period. No grade is given, but the notation of “L” is made on the permanent record. A student may repeat a course for credit the next semester after auditing a course.

Repeating a course
Students receiving a “C-” or “D” or “F” for a course may repeat the course once. The grade received on the second attempt becomes official. Courses in which the student receives a “C” or higher cannot be repeated for credit. Students who wish to repeat clinical courses must apply for readmission to the program.