Academic Information

Academic Freedom Policy

Wor-Wic strives to create an educational environment that encourages academic freedom as an essential component of scholarship. Faculty are free to present information and ideas related to their course content, and college students should expect to test and explore their personal views, beliefs and philosophies in new contexts during the educational process. Faculty are, however, expected to present as many sides of a controversial issue as practical within their classroom teaching, assigned readings or instructional handouts.

Grading System

Students who are not progressing satisfactorily receive a notice with a “U” (unsatisfactory) grade at mid-semester. At the end of each semester, all students are issued final grades and these grades become part of the student's transcript. Each letter grade is equivalent to a specific number of points, as follows:

Self-Paced Courses

Self-paced courses allow students to work at their own pace, either in a classroom or laboratory, or, in the case of related field experience and practicum courses, at a work site. Self-paced office technology courses require the course work to be completed in the MTC 200 computer laboratory. Instructors are available during all computer laboratory hours. Students registered for a self-paced office technology class must pick up a syllabus in MTC 200 during the first week of class.

Proficiency Examinations

A student can receive credit for selected courses offered by the college by achieving a passing grade on an institutional proficiency examination. Only students who have been formally admitted to the college are eligible to take proficiency examinations. Students cannot take a proficiency examination for a course in which they are currently enrolled or have previously been enrolled. Each academic department determines which courses can be challenged and when the examinations will be administered. Students should obtain specific information on examination dates, registration procedures and any prerequisites or fees from the department head.

Auditing a Course

A student interested in auditing a course must meet prerequisites and register during a regular registration session, indicating that the course is being audited. A full- or part-time student who audits a course must pay regular tuition rates. The student is entitled to participate in all course activities, but is not required to take examinations or produce papers or projects. The student does not receive college credit for the course. In order for an audited course to be recorded on the student's transcript as an “AU” grade, minimum standards of attendance must be met, with such standards set by the instructor at the beginning of the course. After obtaining the consent of the instructor, a student who has registered to audit a course can request that it be changed to the status of a credit course, or vice versa, if such a change is requested prior to the last day for dropping classes and if all course requirements have been met.

Course Substitutions

A student can request a course substitution or waiver by submitting a written request to his or her advisor. The advisor completes a “Request for Course Substitution/Waiver” form, attaches supporting documentation and submits it to the department head of the student’s program of study. The department head provides his or her recommendation to the dean. After it is recommended by the dean and approved by the vice president for academic and student affairs, the request is submitted to the registrar’s office for implementation.

Distance Education

Distance education is an alternative method of taking credit courses whereby the majority of the instruction occurs when the student and the instructor are not in the same place at the same time. Information is distributed through learning technologies to students who have time constraints, work schedule conflicts or are otherwise unable to attend classes at a specific college location at a designated time. Online courses require on-campus testing or testing at an approved off-campus testing center. Students enrolling in their first online course must complete an on-campus distance education orientation session or the online student orientation on the college Web site. Orientation dates and times are posted on the college Web site. Wor-Wic offers the following distance education options:

Hybrid Courses

A hybrid course is a blend of face-to-face and Web-based instruction. Required classroom time is split between on-campus class time and Web-based activities, which include interactive forums, assessments, research and/or video. In order to participate, students must have access to a computer with an Internet connection.

Interactive Television Courses

Interactive television is available at Wor-Wic’s campus. The instruction takes place in television classrooms, where programming is broadcast to and from other sites in Maryland.

Online Courses

A World Wide Web site is used to support each online course with a syllabus, study guide, help topics and relevant course material. A Web-based message board provides interactive forums for discussion about the course. Communications between the instructor and the student are not simultaneous, but occur through e-mail, fax messages, chat rooms and listserves. In order to participate, students must have access to a computer with an Internet connection.

Requirements for Continuous Enrollment

Satisfactory academic progress is based on the student’s academic standing as determined by his or her grade point average and the percentage of courses passed. To make satisfactory academic progress, students must maintain the following standards in accordance with their overall credit hours attempted:

Credit hours counted as attempted for the purpose of measuring satisfactory academic progress are from all courses, including developmental, in which a student received a grade, with the exception of “AU”.

Grade Point Average

A student's grade point average (GPA) is recorded on his or her transcript. Courses for which a grade of “A,” “B,” “C” or “D” is received are included as both credit hours attempted and points earned. An “F” grade is included as credit hours attempted, but no points are earned. Grades in developmental education courses are not included in the GPA calculation. Transfer credits are counted toward credits needed for a degree, but they are not used in the computation of grade point average (except for the calculation of admission points in emergency medical services, nursing and radiologic technology). The GPA is calculated in the following manner:

Repeating a Course

A student can repeat a course for credit only when he or she has not received a grade of “B” or better in that course. If a student has received a grade of “B” or better in a course for which transfer credit has been awarded, that course cannot be repeated for credit at Wor-Wic. When a student repeats a course, both grades appear on the student's transcript. Only the last grade is used for computing total credit hours attempted and grade point average.

Academic Performance

Students are expected to maintain a high level of academic performance. Assistance is provided in an attempt to help students maintain satisfactory academic progress. A student who does not maintain satisfactory academic progress can be dismissed from the institution. A student who is concerned about his or her academic progress should consult with his or her academic advisor.

Academic Probation

Academic progress is measured at the end of each semester and combined summer sessions. When a student fails to meet the standards for satisfactory academic progress, he or she is placed on academic probation. A student on probation is limited to three courses per semester. To be removed from probation, a student must reattain satisfactory academic progress by meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements for continuous enrollment with his or her overall GPA and percentage of credits passed. A student can continue to re-enroll while on probation as long as his or her probation semester GPA and percentage of credits passed meet the minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress.

Academic Suspension

A student is placed on academic suspension when his or her probation semester GPA or percentage of credits passed falls below the minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress. A student suspended after a spring semester or summer session cannot register for courses until the following spring semester. A student suspended after a fall semester cannot register for courses until the next summer session. A student readmitted after a suspension is considered to be on probation. Students in this status are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic advisor in order to maximize their chances of successfully reattaining satisfactory academic progress.

After a second academic suspension, the student is required to attend a conference with the director of retention and student success, dean of student development, the student’s assigned advisor and other appropriate college employees to determine the advisability of the student continuing his or her studies at the college. Students seeking readmission following their second suspension should contact the director of retention and student success.

Academic Grievances

A student who believes that he or she has been treated unfairly by a faculty member regarding an academic matter should make an appointment with the faculty member to discuss the situation. Academic matters include interactions between a faculty member and a student that affect student performance and/or evaluation in a particular course.

If, after meeting with the faculty member, the student does not believe the problem is solved, a continuing education student should meet with the continuing education director responsible for initiating the course and a credit student should meet with the department head. If the faculty member is also the department head, the student should meet with the dean. If the student still believes the problem has not been satisfactorily resolved, then he or she may submit a written grievance to the chairperson of the academic standards committee of the faculty council.

A student grievance to the academic standards committee should include the student's name, the faculty member's action that is the basis for the student's grievance, what the student believes is wrong about the faculty member's action, the steps of the grievance procedure the student has taken, when each step was pursued, the results of each step and an explanation of what the student wants the academic standards committee to do for the student. The academic standards committee then reviews the case and submits its recommendation to the vice president for academic and student affairs.

The vice president reviews the recommendation and the grievance process and forwards a recommendation to the president. The decision of the president, upon notification of the parties involved, is final. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate academic grievance procedures within 30 days after the alleged incident. The hearing guidelines for the academic standards committee are provided in the appendix of the college catalog.

Dean's List

Students who complete a semester with six credit hours or more with a grade point average of 3.50 or better without having received a grade of “I,” “F,” “R” or “W” are cited as superior students by the vice president for academic and student affairs. At the end of each semester, an official list with the names of these students is submitted to area newspapers for their publication consideration. A student whose name appears on the list also receives formal recognition on his or her transcript.

General Education

Philosophy and Objectives

Wor-Wic strives to combine the advantages of a general education core with opportunities to pursue a variety of occupational and technical programs. The curricula for the associate degree are designed to broaden and deepen the student's education by helping the student develop the ability to:

1. Express ideas effectively through oral and written communication;
2. Think critically and reason logically;
3. Read and analyze a written text;
4. Apply mathematical models to the solution of problems;
5. Evaluate individual, societal and cultural relationships;
6. Use the scientific method in understanding the interdependence of humankind and the environment;
7. Demonstrate the appropriate use of technology to obtain and communicate information; and
8. Internalize the core values of the institution, including community, diversity, honesty, learning, quality, respect and responsibility.

General Education Requirements

A specific distribution of at least 30 general education credit hours is required for an associate of arts, associate of science or associate of arts in teaching degree and at least 20 general education credit hours are required for an associate of applied science degree. Some degree programs have specific general education course requirements, but where none exist, students can select elective courses from the following categories in order to reach their 20 or 30 credit hour minimum. A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in the U.S. is exempt from all general education courses within the major that are not major course requirements or prerequisites for other courses within the major.

Honors Program

The honors program provides qualified students with an opportunity to challenge their academic potential through enriched learning experiences. The program features small, seminar-style classes involving extensive interaction between faculty and students, with an emphasis on collaboration and inquiry. Honors courses encourage critical and creative thinking through the writing of short and long essays and the reading of original works of significant writers and thinkers from classical through contemporary times. The honors program prepares students to transfer and excel academically at a four-year college. Two core honors courses (ENG 200H and IDS 200H) and a selection of elective honors courses representing various academic departments are offered each year.

Entrance Criteria

In order to accommodate students with diverse backgrounds and needs, the honors program offers a range of entrance criteria. Students can enter the honors program or take an honors course if they:

1. Possess a combined reading and mathematics SAT score of at least 1,100;
2. Possess a composite ACT score of at least 24;
3. Hold a high school diploma with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher (unweighted for certificate of merit courses);
4. Maintain a grade point average of at least 3.50 over nine credit hours at Wor-Wic or from a transfer institution;
5. Possess acceptable diagnostic assessment scores at Wor-Wic; or
6. Are recommended by the honors program committee.

Honors Designation

In order to receive designation as an honors program graduate at commencement exercises, a student must:

1. Complete ENG 200H and IDS 200H with grades of "B" or better;
2. Complete two other honors courses with grades of "B" or better;
3. Receive an overall grade point average of at least 3.00 in all honors courses; and
4. Maintain an overall grade point average of at least 3.25 while enrolled at Wor-Wic.

Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded a degree or certificate, students must submit a completed “Application for Graduation” form. Students should submit their application at least one semester prior to their expected completion date.

There are six completion dates each year that correspond to the end of the fall and spring semesters and each summer session. Degrees and certificates are posted to student transcripts at the end of each semester or session for students who complete the requirements for their awards at these times. Students who satisfy the requirements for a degree or certificate at a time other than at the end of the semester or session have their awards posted after the next completion date.

Proficiency examination and transfer credit hours cannot equal more than 60 percent of the hours needed for an associate degree or certificate of proficiency.

Students who have been continuously enrolled without having two or more semesters of non-enrollment (excluding summer sessions) can graduate according to the course and graduation requirements of the catalog in the year in which they first enrolled or the catalog of any subsequent year.

Associate Degree

An associate degree is awarded to students who complete their specific program requirements as well as the following college criteria:

1. At least 60 credit hours with a "C" (2.00) grade point average or better;
2. A minimum of 24 credits completed at Wor-Wic, including the student's final 15 credit hours (unless an exception is approved by the vice president for academic and student affairs);
3. At least 20 credits in general education courses for an associate of applied science degree and 30 credits for an associate of arts or associate of science degree;
4. At least 24 credits directly related to the occupation in vocational and technical programs; and
5. A general education competency assessment.

Certificate of Proficiency

A certificate of proficiency is awarded to students who complete their specific program requirements as well as the following college criteria:

1. A "C" (2.00) grade point average or better; and
2. A minimum of 40 percent of the required courses completed at Wor-Wic (unless an exception is approved by the vice president for academic and student affairs).

General Education Competency Assessment

Associate degree students must complete a general education competency assessment before being awarded a degree. The assessment measures the general education competencies exhibited by potential graduates. The assessment is administered only on specific dates during the year. These dates are available in the registrar’s office. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange his or her schedule to take advantage of the assessment dates. A student who has an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution is exempt from taking the assessment. Students who have questions about the general education assessment should contact their advisors.

Awards and Honors

Associate degree graduates with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.80 graduate “with high honors,” while those with at least a 3.50 grade point average graduate “with honors.” Certificate of proficiency graduates with a grade point average of at least 3.50 graduate “with distinction.” To be eligible for these honors, a student must not have any “F” grades in a course at the 100- level or above, no more than one “R” grade and no more than one “D” grade.

Diplomas

Diplomas are ordered for students whose graduation has been confirmed by the registrar’s office, at the end of each semester and session. Diplomas are mailed to graduates after they are received, approximately eight weeks after the graduation date.

Participation in Commencement

Wor-Wic conducts one commencement ceremony each year. Students are eligible to participate if they have completed the requirements for their degree or certificate at the end of the fall semester or if they are completing the requirements for their degree or certificate at the end of the spring semester. Students completing in the summer can also participate if they have nine credits or less remaining, they have registered for their remaining course work and they have met all other graduation requirements by the third Friday in April. Students graduating with an associate degree must also complete the general education competency assessment.

Letter of Recognition

In order to be awarded a letter of recognition, students must complete their specific program requirements with a grade of “C” or better in each course and submit a completed “Application for Letter of Recognition” form. Letters of recognition are provided to students whose completion has been confirmed by the registrar’s office, at the end of each semester or session. Letters are mailed to students about eight weeks after each completion date.

Transfer

A student who wants to transfer to a four-year institution should consult with his or her advisor and the institution to which he or she intends to transfer to ensure that the courses taken at Wor-Wic will fulfill the requirements of the transfer institution. Students and advisors can determine if a course is transferable by visiting the Web site of the Articulation System for Maryland Colleges and Universities (ARTSYS). Maryland Higher Education Commission has policies governing the transfer of students among the two- and four-year public institutions in Maryland. These policies are provided in the appendix of the college catalog.

Transcripts

Students can obtain copies of their transcripts by completing a “Transcript Request” form, available in the registrar’s office or on the college Web site at www.worwic.edu. Transcript requests are processed in the order in which they are received. Students should allow ample time for processing and delivery through the U.S. Postal Service. More information about transcripts can be obtained by calling the registrar’s office at (410) 334-2907.

For additional information, refer to the Requesting a Transcript section of this website.

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