Academic Policies and Procedures

Student Success Courses

See University System of Georgia Academic and Student Affairs Handbook Section 2.9 and Board of Regents Policy Manual Section 3.3.7, and University System of Georgia Co-requisite Learning Support Manual.

USG Institutions, such as GGC that admit students with high school grade point averages (HSGPA) or standardized test scores indicating that they will require additional support to succeed in collegiate English or mathematics courses must offer Co-requisite Learning Support courses in these areas. The default placement for new students will be in an entry- level collegiate course with co requisite learning support unless students meet one of the exemption criteria (for co requisite support) indicated below.  One-on-one consultation, tutoring and academic advisement are provided to help students succeed in collegiate level credit courses.

Student Success Learning Support Courses in English and Math

Student Success (SS) offers Student Success/Co-requisite Learning Support courses designed to prepare students for college-level work.

1. These courses include, but are not limited to ENGL 0999 Support for English Composition; ENGL 0999E Support for English Composition-EAP; MATH 0996 Support for Elementary Statistics; MATH 0997 Support for Quantitative Reasoning; MATH 0998 Support for Mathematical Modeling; and MATH 0999 Support for College Algebra.
2. No degree credit will be earned in Student Success courses, but institutional credit will be awarded.
3. The following grades are approved for Student Success/Learning Support courses in English and Mathematics.

• Passing course grades: A, B, C
• Failing course grades: F, WF
• Academic progress satisfactory, but coursework incomplete (may be awarded if the student also receives and “I” in the paired collegiate course)
• Withdrawal without penalty: W
• Student auditing Student Success course that is not required but taken voluntarily: V

Georgia Gwinnett College may use any of these grades or symbols that it deems appropriate for its Student Success program. Note that “D” or S/U are not allowed as grades in Student Success courses

Student Success Course in English for English as a Second Language (ESL) Students

The English for Academic Purposes/English as a Second Language (EAP/ESL) program provides instruction in academic English and tutoring support for students for whom English is a second or additional language. The co-requisite English Learning Support course in the EAP program is ENGL 0999E, Support for English Composition-EAP, which is taken together with ENGL 1101. Entering students for whom English is a second or additional language and who do not present high school GPA, SAT, ACT, or other scores high enough to exempt placement testing for English may submit authorized Classic Accuplacer or Next Generation Accuplacer placement test scores, which will be used to determine course placement into either collegiate-level English without learning support; or else into the Student Success English co-requisite course (ENGL 0999E) along with the collegiate course (ENGL 1101). Students with transfer credit for ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1102 and no Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) deficiency in English or other English language proficiency requirements are not required to enroll in the ENGL 0999E course. Students in co requisite ENGL 0999E exit the learning support course and fulfill the learning support English requirement by achieving a passing score in the collegiate-level ENGL 1101 course.

If a student does not meet GGC’s minimum English Proficiency requirements as indicated by an approved method for determining English Proficiency) and is thus not granted regular admission, the student can instead be referred to and admitted into GGC’s approved English as a second language program, the English Language Institute (ELI). The GGC ELI program is an approved USG campus-based ESL program of study. Therefore, proof of completion of the English Language Institute can provide students a waiver of the USG English Language Proficiency requirement at accepting USG institutions, including Georgia Gwinnett College.

Evaluation for Learning Support Placement

 New student with fewer than 30 semester hours are required to demonstrate proficiency in English (reading/writing) and mathematics to register for college-level courses unless they are enrolled in a program for which ENGL 1101 or a mathematics courses is not required. If student enroll in programs that do not required ENGL 1101 or a mathematics course, but they choose to take one of these courses, standard assessment and placement rules will apply.  the default placement for all students will be in entry level collegiate English and mathematics with co requisite Learning Support unless the exemption criteria outline below are met.  All student must be made aware that they have the option to take placement tests,which may place them directly into collegiate courses or in less credit intensive levels of co requisite Learning Support.  Students interested in taking placement tests should be encourages to do so. 

(See USG Academic and Student Affairs Handbook Section 3.2.4 for more information on evaluation for learning support placement.) Students who do not meet any exemption criteria may waive placement testing if they are willing to accept placement in co requisite learning support at the highest level of credit intensity offered at GGC. Exception: students wishing to enroll in MATH 1111 College Algebra (with or without co requisite learning support), must take the mathematics placement test unless they have met the criteria for direct placement into MATH 1111 or MATH 1111 with co requisite learning support.

Students may take the placement exam twice. Placement exams are administered by Testing Services. The University System of Georgia may mandate or recommend the use of specific placement exams (e.g., Next Generation Accuplacer) and scores for placement into college-level courses. Georgia Gwinnett College may require students to take additional placement exams to refine placement of new students within the guidelines for the University System.Students with Student Success (i.e., co requisite learning support) requirements are placed into co requisite courses. A summary of the exemption criteria follows:

Students meeting any of the exemption criteria in one or more of the areas below may enroll in ENGL 1101 without the co requisite Learning Support course, ENGL 0999. 

Students must:

• have transferred or transferable credit for an Area A English Course (must meet the minimum grade requirement for the institution - which may be a “C” or higher; OR
• have a High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA) if 2.7 or higher (for those admitted for Spring 2024 or after) AND have completed the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) in English: or
• score 430 or higher on the SAT (old) Critical Reading; OR
• score 480 or higher on the SAT (new) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section; OR
• score 17 or high on the ACT English or ACT Reading: OR
• score 61 or higher on the Classic Accuplacer Reading Comprehension test AND score 4 or high on the Accuplacer WritePlacer test; OR
• score 237 or higher on the Next Generation Accuplacer Reading Comprehensive test AND score 4 or higher on the Accuplacer WritePlacer test.

Students meeting any of the criteria on the list below may enroll in MATH 1111 with co requisite Learning Support MATH 0999; or may enroll in MATH 1001, MATH 1101, or MATH 1401 without the corresponding co requisite Learning Support course, MATH 0997, MATH 0998, or MATH 0996:

Student Must:

• have a High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA) of 3.1 or higher (for those admitted for Spring 2024 or after) AND have completed the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) in Mathematics; OR
• score 400 or higher on the SAT (old) Mathematics; OR
• scores 440 or higher on the SAT (new) Mathematics; OR
• score 17 or higher on the ACT Mathematics; OR
• score 67 or higher on the Classic Accuplacer Elementary Algebra test; OR
• score 258 or higher on the Next Generation Accuplacer Quantitative Reasoning, algebra and Statistics test

Criteria for Direct Placement into MATH 1111: Students meeting any of the criteria below may enroll in MATH 1111 without the co requisite Learning Support course, MATH 0999.  Students meeting these criteria will also be eligible to enroll in MATH 1001 (Quantitative Reasoning), MATH 1101 (Introduction to Mathematical Modeling) or MATH/STAT 1401 (Elementary Statistics without co-requisite Learning Support.

Students must:

• have transferred or transferable credit for an Area A mathematics course (must meet the minimum grade requirement for the institution - which may be a “C” or higher)’ OR
• have been placed in pre-calculus or a higher mathematics course (e.g., College Trigonometry or some form of calculus;) OR
• have a High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA) of 3.2 or higher AND have completed the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) in Mathematics; OR
• score 470 or higher on the SAT (old) Mathematics; OR
• score 510 or higher on the SAT (new) Mathematics section; OR
• score 20 or higher on ACT Mathematics; OR
• scores 79 or higher on the Classic Accuplacer Elementary Algebra test; OR
• score 266 or higher on the Next Generation Accuplacer Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics test.

Note: The current minimum exemption threshold scores for placement are maintained by Student Success.

Policies for Students with Student Success Requirements

Student Success Learning Support Courses in English and Math

Learning Support is a general term for programs designed to assist students with collegiate work. Under these policies, USG institutions like GGC may serve students who fall below USG collegiate placement standards but also have the flexibility to develop more rigorous academic criteria with which their students must comply. Co-requisite Learning Support courses are intended to serve students who need additional support in mathematics or English (reading/writing). Students who may be served within the Learning Support program are:

A. Students who do not meet USG criteria to exempt Learning Support placement.

B. Students who are determined by GGC to need academic assistance even though they are eligible to be admitted without Learning Support requirements under USG policy.

C. Students who elect to enroll in Learning Support courses to gain additional support while they are enrolled in entry-level English and mathematics courses.

The learning support courses offered at GGC may include ENGL 0999 Support for English Composition; ENGL 0999E, Support for English Compositing-EAP; MATH 0996, Support for Introduction to Statistics, MATH 0997, Support for Quantitative Reasoning; MATH 0098, Support for Mathematical Modeling; and MATH 0999, Support for College Algebra.

General Rules Regarding Learning Support Program Operations:

 Learning Support courses are offered exclusively in “co requisite” format. The co requisite format means that students requiring Learning Support will enroll in both a collegiate course (ENGL 1101, MATH 1401, MATH 1001, MATH 1101, or MATH 1111) and a co requisite Learning Support course (ENGL 0999, MATH 0996, MATH 0997, MATH 0998, or MATH 0999) that is designed to support mastery of the skills and concepts needed to pass the collegiate course in a “just-in-time” manner. Students who are required to enroll in co requisite Learning Support courses along with collegiate courses must remain enrolled in BOTH courses. Students may not withdraw from either the co requisite Learning Support course or the paired collegiate course without withdrawing from both courses. Student Success will coordinate the academic advisement of students with Learning Support requirements to ensure that these students are informed about their requirements. No degree credit will be earned in Learning Support courses, but institutional credit will be awarded. Students will satisfy and exit Learning Support requirements by successfully passing (as defined by the institution) the corresponding Area A collegiate-level course.

Prerequisites for College-Level Classes

A. Students who are required to enroll in co requisite Learning Support courses are not permitted to enroll in credit bearing courses that require mastery of the content or skills of the Learning Support courses as prerequisite.

B. The following core curriculum areas may required students to complete or exempt co requisite Learning Support requirements.

• Completion or exemption from co requisite Learning Support English may be a prerequisite for Social, Natural, and Physical Science courses.  (Additional areas for exit or exemption such as Learning Support Mathematics are at the discretion of the institution)
• Placement into or exemption from co requisite Learning Support English is required for placement into ENGL 1101.  Completion or exemption from co requisite Learning Support English is required for placement into all other college-level English Courses.
• Placement into or exemption from co requisite Learning Support mathematics is required for placement into MATH 1001, 1101 or 1111.  Completion of or exemption from co requisite Learning Support mathematics is required for the placement into all other college level mathematics courses.
• Completion or exemption from co requisite Learning Support mathematics may be a prerequisite for physics and chemistry courses.
• Any courses with pre-requiisite of any other college-level course would required exit or exemption from related Learning Support requirements.

C. Courses such as music, art, and film are open to students with Student Success requirements.

D. Students who exceed the USG minimum requirements but are required by GGC to take Student Success (i.e., Learning Support) courses in order to prepare for core curriculum courses may, a the institution’s option, be exempted from any or all of the requirements specified in this section.  However, all such requirements imposed by GGC must be satisfied by the time the student has earned 30 semester credit hours or the student must enroll in course work that will satisfy the requirements every semester of enrollment until the requirements are satisfied.

E. Students who have USG mandated Learning Support requirements, during each semester of enrollment, must first register for all required co requisite Learning Support courses and paired collegiate courses before being allowed to register for other courses.  This policy also applies to part-time students.  Two exceptions are possible.

• Students requiring Learning Support in both English and mathematics may defer enrollment in co requisite Learning Support and the accompanying collegiate courses in one area, but must be continuously enrolled in one or both until the college level courses have been passed. In cases where students cannot take courses in both Learning Support areas simultaneously, enrollment in ENGL 1101 with co requisite Learning Support should take priority. All Area A requirements must be completed within the first 30 credit hours, including college-level and co requisite requirements in both English and mathematics.
•  In the event that a required co requisite Learning Support/collegiate course pair is not available, a student may enroll in one or more unrelated courses for degree credit if the student has met the course requirements, subject to the written approval of the President or designee.

30-Hour Rule

Students who have accumulated 30 semester hours of college-level credit and have not successfully completed required Learning Support courses may enroll only in co requisite Learning Support courses and paired collegiate courses until all Area A requirements are successfully completed. Students with transfer credit or credit earned in a certificate or prior degree program who are required to take co requisite Learning Support courses for their current degree objectives may earn up to 30 additional hours of college-level credit. After earning the additional hours, such students may only enroll in co requisite Learning Support courses until all Area A requirements have been completed. GGC may limit the accumulation of college-level credit without completion of Area A requirements to 20 hours.
 

Withdrawal from Student Success Courses

Students with Student Success requirements who are enrolled in both Student Success courses and collegiate-level courses and who withdraw from required Student Success courses are not required to withdraw from unrelated collegiate courses.

Student Success Attempts

• An attempt is defined as an institutional credit course in which a student receives any grade or symbol except “W”.
• Students who have been suspended from the institution without completing Student Success requirements may complete their Student Success requirements and additional collegiate-level work at SACSCOC accredited TCSG institutions during the suspension.
• There are no limits on attempts in co requisite Student Success courses.

Exit Policies for Student Success Courses

Students will exit Learning support (LS) requirements in English and/or mathematics by passing the collegiate-level course in the Learning support area with a grade that meets the minimum grade requirement for the collegiate course at GGC (typically a “C” or higher). Because registration for the next semester occurs before final grades are calculated, students may initially register for college-level courses but then not exit the Student Success requirements that are prerequisites for their college-level courses. It is the responsibility of the student to amend his or her class schedule by removing the college-level courses for which the student has not satisfied the prerequisites and register for any required Student Success courses from which the student did not exit. There are no limits on attempts in co requisite Student Success courses.

Voluntarily Enrolling in Student Success Courses

Students who are not required to take Learning Support courses in a disciplinary area may elect to enroll in Learning Support courses in a non-required area for institutional credit or on an audit basis.

Learning support for Transfer Students

Students transferring into a USG institution will be exempt from Learning Support English requirements if they have completed a transferable Area A English course and will be exempt from Learning Support Mathematics requirements if they have completed a transferable Area A Mathematics course. Otherwise, they will be evaluated for Learning Support/collegiate placement according to the same criteria as other entering students.

Learning Support Rules for Returning Students

Students who return to USG institutions after an absence are subject to the following rules concerning Learning Support.

• Students who have completed transferable coursework in Area A English or mathematics are exempt from Learning Support requirements in that area.
• Students who were exempt from Learning Support requirements during their previous attendance period remain exempt from those requirements upon readmission.
• Students who last attended with outstanding Learning Support requirements will be placed in the appropriate Area A courses with co requisite Learning Support courses upon readmission. Students who do not wish to be placed in Learning Support may opt to be reevaluated or to take a placement test for possible Learning Support exemption.

Students with Special Needs Required to Enroll in Student Success Classes

Students with documented learning disorders as defined in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook, Section 3.3, who are required to enroll in Learning Support, must fulfill all stated requirements, including placement testing (if needed, Next-Generation Accuplacer or system-approved alternate) and course requirements. General and specific guidelines for documentation of learning disorders appear in Section 3, Appendices D and E. Students will be provided with appropriate testing and/or course accommodations as described in 3.3.5, Learning Support Considerations.

Appropriate course and testing accommodations should be made for students with sensory, mobility, or systemic disorders. General and specific guidelines for documentation of these disorders appear in Section 3, Appendices D and E. Documentation on such students is to be maintained at the institution and summarized in the annual report on accommodations for students with disabilities.

GGC Honors Program

The GGC Honors Program provides a distinguished, integrated educational experience that challenges students of distinction to demonstrate excellence in Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Creativity. The Honors Program challenges students to discover the deepest meanings of these core values and apply them to their studies, potential careers, and daily lives. Qualified students admitted to the Program explore the core values via a rich and varied set of curricular and co-curricular experiences that challenge students academically, develop their creativity, foster within them an abiding commitment to civic engagement, and enhance their leadership skills.

Members of the Honors Program are offered a variety of benefits. They are eligible for enrollment in Honors versions of several core curriculum classes, designated as such on transcripts, co- and extra-curricular programming, events that enrich their college experience, and interdisciplinary Honors 3000 Special Topics seminars developed by faculty from disciplines across the college. Honors courses are limited in size to foster in-depth discussions and active, student-centered learning in an engaging and supportive atmosphere

Honors Program Student Learning Outcomes

Members of the Honors Program are expected to demonstrate progress related to and eventual mastery of the following outcomes:

• Creative thinking
• Critical thinking
• Civic engagement
• Effective multi-modal communication
  • Written
  • Oral

GGC Honors Program Admission Policy

Honors Program applicants are reviewed holistically and must meet the following criteria:

• Have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Write an essay adhering to the guidelines and requirements contained in the Honors Program Essay Instructions (PDF)
• Obtain a letter of recommendation from a GGC faculty and/or staff member. Or, in the case of first-year or transfer students, a letter of recommendation from a faculty and/or staff member from the student’s previous institution
• Complete an interview conducted by the Director and the Honors Program Leadership Council
• Complete the Apply to Honors Program form, which requires students to give information about their co-curricular and extra-curricular activities

Honors Program Expectations and Requirements

• To graduate “with Honors Program distinction” noted on their transcripts, students in the program are required to meet the following criteria:

• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2 in college-level courses
• Remain active in the program for four or more semesters
• Enroll in and successfully complete the Honors 1000 1-credit seminar (first-year freshmen only)
• Enroll in and successfully complete a minimum of two (2) Honors 3000 Special Topics courses before graduation
• Demonstrate mastery of the Honors Program Student Learning Outcomes
• Maintain a portfolio demonstrating their commitment to GGC’s four core values and appropriate progress towards mastery of the program learning outcomes.

Students accepted to the Honors Program should meet the following expectations

• Demonstrate commitment to leadership, creativity, scholarship, and service
• Participate in and document at least one activity per semester related to each of the four core values
• Attend Honors Program meetings
• Play an active role in at least one service project each semester
• Represent the college appropriately at school functions and in the community; and
• Abide by all schools’ policies and codes of conduct

Student Study Abroad Policy and Procedures

Purpose and Policy Statement

This policy defines several types of study abroad and service-learning opportunities and provides eligibility and credit transfer requirements, as well as requirements for participating in the programs. The policy also stipulates requirements for students receiving financial aid and GGC stipends.

Scope

The policy applies to all students interested in an education abroad program and is implemented primarily by the staffs of the Offices of Internationalization, Financial Aid, Student Accounts. All study abroad and service-learning program directors and their respective deans or supervisors are also responsible for understanding and complying with the policy.

Definitions

Affiliate programs: programs organized by third-party providers with which GGC has affiliation agreements.

Education abroad: an umbrella term for experiential learning programs or activities which occur in a different country and are designed to enhance participants’ academic and intercultural experience. Education abroad at GGC includes study abroad, research abroad, internships abroad, service or civic engagement abroad, and teaching abroad. Activities include, but are not limited to, classroom study, research, and excursions.

Exchange programs: programs which enable GGC students to study for a semester or an academic year at a foreign college or university with which GGC has an exchange agreement. Classes may be taught in the host language, English, or both. Courses taken through GGC exchanges or with GGC exchange partners count as transfer credit.

Faculty-led study abroad programs: programs led and taught by GGC faculty members. The programs grant GGC resident credit, and no course substitution or transient permission is necessary. Students participate in lectures, site visits, excursions, and tours as part of the program.

Good standing: A student is in good standing with the College if they are eligible to enroll in classes and are not on Academic or Conduct Probation.

Good academic standing: A student is in good academic standing if their cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College grade point average is at or above the minimum cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College grade point average for the number of semester hours attempted plus transfer hours as shown in the GGC Catalog.

International internships: opportunities for students to work in an organization abroad to gain practical, real-world experience or satisfy requirements for a course or program of study.

Service learning: a form of study abroad, except that it may or may not be credit bearing. It focuses on contemporary global and transnational issues and emphasizes human connection. Service learning incorporates community work into students’ educational experiences by providing real-world learning experiences that enhance students’ academic learning while providing a tangible benefit to the community in which the activity occurs. GGC service learning may also be carried out in an appropriate setting within the United States.

Study abroad: a credit-bearing program of study in a foreign country. Participants earn grades for the course(s) they take, and the grades may or may not transfer to the participant’s home campus.

USG programs: programs organized by other colleges and universities within the University System of Georgia.

Eligibility and Requirements

The following criteria describe eligibility requirements for all GGC study abroad and service-learning programs.

1. GGC students who wish to participate in study abroad programs or service-learning programs abroad must be in good academic standing.
2. Students must be in good standing with the College; i.e., they are eligible to enroll in classes and are not on Academic or Conduct Probation or on any form of academic warnings.
3. Certain study abroad programs may require higher GPAs or other prerequisites.
4. Students must have achieved the required GGC GPA by the application deadline of the study abroad program.
5. GGC students are eligible to participate in study abroad or service-learning programs after completing a minimum of 24 collegiate credit hours by the program application deadline. Transfer students must complete a minimum of one full-time semester at GGC before they may study or serve abroad.
6. International students wishing to study abroad should consult the Office of Internationalization to verify that their student visa will allow them to study or serve in the proposed host country.

Transfer Credit for Study Abroad

Students must verify whether the program is credit bearing and, if so, how many credits and whether the credits will transfer to their GGC program of study.

Courses from affiliate and non-GGC programs will be reflected on another institution’s transcript and will count as transfer credit at GGC.

Requirements for Education Abroad Program Directors and International Exchanges

Purpose and Policy Statement

This policy defines several types of study abroad and service-learning opportunities and provides requirements for academic integrity, faculty compensation, program proposal development and approval, and risk and crisis management. The policy also provides requirements for establishing international exchange agreements.

Scope

The policy applies to education abroad program directors and is implemented primarily by the staff of the Office of Internationalization, school deans, the Vice President for Business and Finance, the Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs/Provost, and the President.

Definitions

Affiliate programs: programs organized by third-party providers with which GGC has affiliation agreements.

Education abroad: an umbrella term for experiential learning programs or activities which occur in a different country and are designed to enhance participants’ academic and intercultural experience. Education abroad at GGC includes study abroad, research abroad, internships abroad, service or civic engagement abroad, and teaching abroad. Activities include, but are not limited to, classroom study, research, and excursions.

Exchange programs: programs which enable GGC students to study for a semester or an academic year at a foreign college or university with which GGC has an exchange agreement.  Classes may be taught in the host language, English, or both. Courses taken through GGC exchanges or with GGC exchange partners count as transfer credit.

Faculty exchange agreement: an international exchange agreement designed to include an exchange of faculty or researchers between institutions for a term exceeding two years.

Faculty-led study abroad programs: programs led and taught by GGC faculty members. The programs grant GGC resident credit, and no course substitution or transient permission is necessary. Students participate in lectures, site visits, excursions, and tours as part of the program.

Good academic standing: GA student is in good academic standing if their cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College grade point average is at or above the minimum cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College grade point average for the number of semester hours attempted plus transfer hours as shown in the GGC Catalog.

Good standing: A student is considered to be in good standing with the College if they are eligible to enroll in classes and are not on Academic or Conduct Probation.

International exchange agreement: a written document outlining the terms and conditions providing for an exchange of students, faculty, or staff or specifying research activity between GGC and a university or other institution located outside the territorial boundaries of the United States of America.

International internships: opportunities for students to work in an organization abroad to gain practical, real-world experience or satisfy requirements for a course or program of study.

Memorandum of understanding: an agreement which recognizes a shared interest between parties in exploring together potential projects, funding, or other arrangements that may lead to specific projects. No clear projects or plans are delineated. It is a legally binding contract subject to the same authorization and campus approval procedures as more specific agreements.

Non provider-organized programs: programs organized and led by the program director, who is responsible for all or most of the logistical arrangements.

Pilot exchange agreement: an international exchange agreement which usually lasts for two years and allows both institutions to review their involvement before making a more substantial time commitment. In many cases, the agreement will be implemented prior to a long-term student or faculty exchange agreement.

Program director: a faculty or staff member responsible for writing the proposal and establishing the program.

Provider-organized programs: programs which rely partly or entirely on third-party providers for logistical arrangements, including program deposit/fee payment, travel (international and in country), accommodations, meals, safety/security, and delivery of the instructional and cultural components.

Service learning: a form of study abroad, except that it may or may not be credit-bearing. It focuses on contemporary global and transnational issues and emphasizes human connection. Service learning incorporates community work into students’ educational experiences by providing real-world learning experiences that enhance students’ academic learning while providing a tangible benefit to the community in which the activity occurs. GGC service learning may also be carried out in an appropriate setting within the United States.

Student exchange agreement: an international exchange agreement designed to include an exchange of students between institutions for a term exceeding two years.

Study abroad: a credit-bearing program of study in a foreign country. Participants earn grades for the course(s) they take, and the grades may or may not transfer to the participant’s home campus.

USG programs: programs organized by other colleges and universities within the University System of Georgia.

Program Proposal Development and Approval

Any type of education abroad program requires a written proposal. Program leaders must submit a proposal for each year they plan to lead the program.
The detailed proposal must be approved before the proposer begins making related travel or logistical commitments.
The detailed/final proposal must address, among others, academics, logistics, risk management, and financial feasibility.
To ensure timely administrative review and budget allocation for the program, a signed hard copy of the final, detailed proposal must be submitted to the Office of Internationalization by the established deadline.

No GGC faculty or staff member may lead more than two programs abroad in a single academic year.
Program leaders must keep accurate financial records and follow guidelines on the use of student money established by the University System of Georgia and GGC.
 

Academic Integrity for Credit-Bearing Programs

The program director must ensure the program is academically substantive and that credit awards are in line with the program curriculum, contact hours, and assignments. The responsibility for ensuring academic credit rests with the dean. Course plans should take advantage of the international setting and ensure academic rigor. Among the factors to consider are these: contact hours, class attendance, syllabus, evaluations, and logistics.

Transfer Credit for Study Abroad

Credit vs. Non-Credit: Not every experiential program abroad is credit bearing. For an education abroad program, students must be sure to verify whether it is credit bearing or not. If it is credit bearing, students must verify how many credits and whether the credits will transfer to their GGC program of study.

Affiliate Programs and Non-GGC Programs: GGC has agreements with several affiliate program providers, and students are encouraged to consider using one of these providers. For non-GGC and affiliate study abroad programs, courses will be reflected on another institution’s transcript and will count as transfer credit at GGC. Please note the following important policies:

1. Completed GGC Request for Transient Permission or a Consortium Agreement Form (unless advised otherwise), Course Substitution, and Study Abroad Course Approval forms are required prior to registering for the program. These forms allow students to plan how courses will transfer in. They also enable students to maintain student status at GGC for financial aid and other purposes.
2. Courses may transfer as major, minor, core, or elective credit. The appropriate GGC school(s), in collaboration with the Registrar’s Office, will determine how the course(s) will transfer and how the course(s) will be applied towards degree requirements.
3. GGC students should contact the Office of Internationalization as early in the planning process as possible to review the steps required for completing the transfer credit or transient permission approval process.
4. Transfer credit will be given only for courses that are from accredited U.S. universities/colleges and/or operated by approved GGC study abroad affiliates or consortia.
5. Other USG Programs: These programs include all public colleges and universities within the state. GGC students may be eligible to participate in study abroad opportunities through these institutions. Students should consider the following regarding USG programs:
   • USG programs tend to be around the same cost and are often led by a faculty member from the host USG institution.
   • To participate in a program through another USG institution, students will need to apply as “transient” students to that school as well as apply to their particular study abroad program.
   • Each institution is different, so students should pay special attention to the instructions given to them by the contact person for that specific USG study abroad program.
6. Foreign Language Programs/Schools: In order for credit to transfer to Georgia Gwinnett College, it must originate from an accredited institution of higher learning in the US or be evaluated by one of the approved credential/evaluation services.

Financial Aid and Requirements

Financial Aid

GGC students can use their federal and state aid, including the HOPE Scholarship, for study abroad. Financial aid can be used on any study abroad program for which the student will receive academic credit. Students studying abroad for an academic year are eligible to apply for both the fall and spring grant competitions. Interested students should make an appointment to meet with Office of Internationalization or Financial Aid.

Important Note: While most students are able to use financial aid to assist with the cost of studying abroad, it is very likely that the student will need to cover these expenses up front and be reimbursed at a later date by financial aid or other scholarships. Due to federal regulations, these funds very rarely come through in time to use them to cover study abroad expenses in advance. Students should be aware of this and make arrangements to have their expenses covered in the meantime.

Securing Financial Aid for Study Abroad Students should complete their FAFSA application well in advance of their term abroad. They should verify how their financial aid package will apply to their study abroad program. This is easily accomplished by meeting with a Financial Aid counselor.

International Education Fee (IEF) Stipends The GGC Study Abroad Grant Program is funded by a mandatory international education fee (IEF). The program has limited funds, and applications will be accepted as long as there are funds. Application deadlines are as follows:

Criteria for IEF Stipends: All IEF stipend applicants must:

1. Have been enrolled the previous semester and be working toward completion of a degree program at GGC,
2. Have earned 24 credit hours,
3. Have a minimum institutional GPA of 2.5 (transfer GPA not considered),
4. Be in the process of enrolling in a study abroad program for which they will receive academic credit.

note:

• Meeting eligibility requirements and submitting an application do not guarantee an award.
• IEF funds may not be used towards study in countries that are currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning.
• Maximum number of awards per student during his/her time at GGC: 2

Award Amounts: If approved for an IEF stipend, students may receive the following amounts:

• Less than 28 days: $500
• 28-41 days: $700
• 42 days or longer: up to $1,500 (depending on availability of funds)

Considerations for determining award amounts for programs lasting four weeks or longer:

• Financial need (based on applicant’s financial aid package),
• Program sponsor (GGC or other),
• Program location (traditional or non-traditional),
• Previous international experience and OI funding,
• Number of credits being earned (applicable only to maymester and summer programs)
•  

The GGC Education Abroad Grant (EAG) Program is funded by a mandatory International Education Fee (IEF).

The program has limited funds, and applications will be accepted as long as there are funds.

Criteria for EAG: All EAG applicants must:

1. Have been enrolled the previous semester and be working toward completion of a degree program at GGC
2. Have a minimum institutional GPA of 2.5
3. Have successfully completed an education abroad program through GGC or any other approved provider

Note

• Meeting eligibility requirements and submitting an application do not guarantee an award.
• Maximum number of awards per student during his/her time at GGC: 1

Award Amounts: If approved, students may receive the following amounts:

• For programs lasting less than 28 days: $500
• For programs lasting 28-41 days: up to $700
• For programs lasting 42 days or longer: up to $900 (depending on availability of funds)

Considerations for determining award amounts for programs lasting four weeks or longer:

• Preference #1: Program sponsor: preference for GGC faculty-led programs
• Preference #2: Program location: preference for non-traditional locations (those outside the West, Australia, and New Zealand)
• Preference #3: Duration of program: preference for longer-term programs (semester or yearlong)

Education Abroad Student Pre-Departure Checklist

Be sure to check off all applicable items below before you depart for your program:

1. Obtain/renew your passport and make sure it is signed and valid for at least six months after your return.
2. Obtain a visa, if required.
3. Determine whether your file is complete for your study abroad program with the Office of Internationalization.
4. Meet with your academic advisor or school Point of Contact to discuss your course selection and have them approve your selection (see Study Abroad Approval Form).
5. Finalize your financial aid (if applicable).
6. For semester programs: Make necessary housing arrangements at GGC for your return.
7. Learn about your host country.
8. Pay any remaining program balance on your study abroad program.
9. If you are registered at GGC: Pay your tuition and fees before departure.
10. Obtain a medical release from your doctor allowing you to travel to the host country (if this is required).
11. Finalize registration for courses if necessary.
12. Register with the US Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
13. Reconfirm your flight(s) to your destination.
14. Check your airline for any baggage restrictions.
15. Make a copy of your passport and other important documents for your family.
16. Make a list of all contact information in your host country. Carry a copy with you and leave one with your family.
17. Bring copies of insurance cards, medical prescriptions, passport/visa, ID cards.
18. Inform your credit card company and/or bank of your travel dates.

Summary of Student Obligations (Mandatory) for Student Abroad and Service Learning

For study abroad: Students ensure that, through their academic advisors, they choose the right course of study. For service learning: Students ensure that, through their advisors, they choose the right service program.

All students:

1. Complete, sign, and submit to the Office of Internationalization all required forms, including an application form, a Waiver of Liability, and the pre-departure checklist for their program within the published deadlines. Electronic forms must also be duly completed and submitted.
2. Submit to the Office of Internationalization all required documents.
3. Obtain signatures of approval as part of their study abroad application and individual advisement process.
4. Attend all mandatory pre-departure orientations.
5. Sign up for the US Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
6. Take all recommended travel prophylaxes/shots, and according to the recommended schedule.
7. Secure and take with them all required travel documents, including passport, visa, and health card. Failure to do so would result in the student not traveling. GGC is not responsible for ensuring participants have the appropriate travel documents.

Global Studies Certification

Global Studies Certification Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the Global Studies Certification Program, a student must:

1. Possess a 2.7 Cumulative GPA
2. Have completed 24 hours of academic credit (with at least 12 hours completed at GGC)
3. Complete/sign the Certification Agreement available in the Office of Internationalization. (This process involves the student, faculty mentor and Certification Coordinator.)

Global Studies Certification Program Completion Policies

To complete the Global Studies Certification program, a student must:

1. Complete at least two (2) i-courses at the 3000 or 4000 level at GGC with a grade of “C” or better. NOTE: Students who took a course in 2012-13 through 2015-16 that is subsequently identified as an i-course may submit a request for the course to fulfill this requirement. The Certification Coordinator will verify whether the course qualifies as an i-course and respond to the student’s request.
2. Complete the Global Studies Certification Capstone Course with at a grade of “C” or better. NOTE: Capstone Course Registration: Pre-registration for the Certification Capstone Course signals the completion of all other certification requirements.
3. Complete a credit-bearing study abroad program, or a course offered in an international location, earning a grade of “C” or better and a minimum of 3-credit hours for the experience.
4. Satisfy the foreign language requirement by demonstrating proficiency in at least one language other than the student’s native language. The foreign language requirement for the Global Studies Certification can be satisfied in any one of the following manners:

• Two Courses at GGC: Completes two GGC courses at any level (in the same language) in Chinese, French or Spanish with a grade of “C” or better.
• Transfer Courses in Foreign Languages: Transfers into GGC with two courses at any level (in the same foreign language) in any USG recognized modern foreign language with a grade of “C” or better.
• AP or IB Credit: Completes Advanced Placement (AP) or IB examinations and scores at the recommended score/level, he/she will receive academic credit in those circumstances and subsequently satisfy the Certification’s proficiency requirement.
• CLEP Testing: Completes CLEP testing for a foreign language and scores at the recommended score/level to receive academic credit.
• Language Testing International Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) or Writing Proficiency Test (WPT): Completes LTI testing and scores at the recommended level to test out of the GGC language requirement without credit.

Global Studies Certification Language Proficiency

The following is a reference chart, which provides additional descriptive factors regarding the range of proficiency standards to satisfy the foreign language requirement of the Global Studies Certification:

[1] Any level, need not be consecutive

[2] Credit in German is currently not awarded through the CLEP, although students are allowed to transfer in credit in German.

[3] At present, students must make a 4 or 5 on the German, Italian, or Japanese AP exam, in order to receive credit, although they can receive credit for Chinese, French, or Spanish 1002 with a score of 3.

I-Courses

I-courses are those courses offered by GGC that have been intentionally designed to promote student learning and development in relation to the College’s 2013-2018 Quality Enhancement Plan. These courses are intended to provide students with opportunities to build intercultural competence and skill. As such, i-courses contain both a high level of international content and the requirements and activities needed to promote student success in achieving the desired learning outcomes at an appropriate level for a given course. The QEP Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) address three broad areas of competence: intercultural awareness (SLOs 1 and 2), communication and collaboration (SLOs 3 and 4), and application (SLO 5).

Student Attendance Policy

The classroom experience is a vital component of the college learning experience. Interaction with faculty and with other students is a necessary component of the learning process. Students are expected to attend regularly and promptly all class meetings and academic appointments. Students who are absent from classes bear the responsibility of notifying their faculty that they will be absent and keeping up with class assignments in conjunction with Faculty provisions in the course syllabus. However, faculty will not request information from students about the specific reason for the absence nor documentation from students regarding a request for an excused absence. Students are not required to give faculty the specific reasons for an absence and students are not expected to send any documentation (including medical documentation) to faculty regarding an absence. Students who are absent and wish to submit documentation (including medical documentation) regarding the absence in order to have the absence qualify as an excused absence can submit the documentation to the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students will verify the absence and will notify the faculty member that the request for an excused absence is justified. An individual faculty member bears the decision as to whether a student’s absence is excused or unexcused, and whether work will be permitted to be made up.  The decision of the faculty in this case is final. However, as with any course-related issue, students may seek additional assistance through the school administration (Department Chairs, Associate Deans, Dean), and may choose to file a written student complaint. Students may also appeal a final grade in a course through the grade appeal process if they feel the faculty’s decision on attendance has affected their final grade. The student complaint process and the grade appeal process are both outlined in the Student Handbook. Students who are absent because of participation in college-approved activities (such as field trips and extracurricular events) will be permitted to make up the work missed during their college-approved absences, provided that the student discussed with and obtained approval from the faculty to make up the work missed prior to the student’s going on the field trip.

Individual faculty may establish additional attendance requirements appropriate to their course’s context, e.g. lab attendance. A student whose class schedule would otherwise prevent him or her from voting will be permitted an excused absence for the interval reasonably required for voting

Student Field Trip and Off Campus Event Policy

Participation in field trips/off-campus events provides students the opportunity to engage in meaningful learning outside the classroom and as such, these trips are a valuable part of the college experience. Such outings permit students to integrate theoretical aspects of learning with practical applications and observations in environments other than the classroom. These experiences thus afford students an alternative means of applying knowledge.

Certain guidelines need to be followed to ensure that students gain the most from participation in field trips.

1. Attendance on field trips/off campus events is optional and students will not be penalized if they do not attend.
2. Alternate assignments may be given in lieu of a student’s participation in field trips/off campus events where said participation would have derived extra credit or other course points.
3. Students who choose to go on field trips must contact the professors of the other classes which will be affected by their participation on the field trip prior to going on the field trip. However, participation on field trips does not exempt students from completing the work which is assigned in the classes that will be missed, nor does it provide a reason for students to miss tests, exams, or other graded work which is performed in the classes that will be missed.
4. Students who are absent because of participation in college-approved activities (such as field trips and extracurricular events) will be permitted to make up the work missed during their college-approved absences, provided that the student discussed with and obtained approval from the instructor to make up the work missed prior to the student’s going on the field trip.
5. The field trip originator will ensure that the students who attend field trips complete the appropriate waivers and forms.
6. The faculty member/field trip originator should deliver copies of the waiver forms to the Dean’s/Director’s office for appropriate filing prior to or within five business days after returning from the field trip or off campus event/project.

Mandatory Participation in Alert Notification System

Georgia Gwinnett College is committed to the safety of our students, staff and faculty. Communication is an important component of campus safety and part of our communication plan includes an alert notification system. Email participation is mandatory for all GGC students, staff and faculty. We also require that each participant provide either a cell phone number for SMS based text messages or a phone number for a voice message alert at a minimum.

Academic Standards of Progress

Course Load

Twelve (12) semester hours constitutes a full-time course load for each semester of enrollment. Any enrollment of fewer than 12 semester hours constitutes a part-time course load for the semester of enrollment. Students may enroll for up to 17 hours per semester without additional approval. Students who desire to enroll in more than 17 hours must obtain approval from their major school. Approval must be given in writing each semester.

Grading

Student progress in a course is measured at the end of each semester in the form of a grade assigned by the course instructor based on the student’s completion of course requirements as stated in the course syllabus. The grade for a course is officially recorded on the student’s academic transcript in the Registrar’s Office. The student is notified of his/her final grades as well as the student’s academic standing for the semester via the college’s web-based academic records system. Final grades and academic standing can be accessed by semester and reflect a semester grade -point average as well as a cumulative grade-point average of all work completed at Georgia Gwinnett College as well as all accepted transfer credit. The deadlines for grade submission may be found in the academic calendar.

Grades Approved in Determining the Grade Point Average

Georgia Gwinnett College shall use the Board of Regent’s Uniform Grading System with the additional grades of WA and FN.

The following grades are approved by the Board of Regents for use in institutions in the determination of the Grade Point Average. Georgia Gwinnett College has added the grade of WA and FN:

The minimum passing grade for most courses is the “D” grade. ENGL 1101 , ENGL 1102 , MATH 1111  (or equivalent courses) and all Student Success courses must be passed with a minimum grade of “C.” Courses in Area F of the Common Core as well as all courses in the student’s major must be passed with a minimum grade of “C.” In addition, courses that are pre-requisites to other courses require a “C” or better to meet the pre-requisite requirement.

The following grade symbols will be used in the cases indicated but will not be included in computing the student’s grade point average:

I = indicates an incomplete grade for the course due to non-academic reasons which prohibited the student from completing the requirements for a course. The assignment of the “I” grade is at the discretion of the course instructor and Dean but should only be assigned if the student has completed satisfactory work up to the last two weeks of the semester then faced extreme personal hardships in completing the semester. Prior to the last two weeks of the semester, the grade assigned should be “W” or “WF.” Assignment of an “I” grade indicates that the instructor and the student have worked out a plan for completing the remaining course requirements unless otherwise stated in the incomplete contract. The deadline for removing an “I” grade is the last day of the following semester. If the “I” grade is not removed within the defined time period, the “I” converts to a grade of “F” and is then factored into the student’s grade- point average. Requests for the approval of extensions must be made to the office of the dean.

IP = indicates a student has made progress in a Student Success course, but not sufficient progress to meet the requirements for the next course in the Learning Support sequence. The “IP” grade is not included in the calculation of the student’s grade-point average.

K = indicates credit given by external examination (CLEP, AP, etc.). The “K” grade is not included in the calculation of the student’s grade-point average.

S = indicates successful completion of the Regents’ Writing Skills course and/or the Regents’ Reading Skills course and successful completion of the corresponding Regents’ Test. The “S” grade is not included in the calculation of the student’s grade-point average.

U = indicates unsuccessful completion of the Regents’ Writing Skills course and/or the Regents’ Reading Skills course and unsuccessful completion of the corresponding Regents’ Test. The “U” grade is not included in the calculation of the student’s grade-point average.

V = indicates that a student was given permission to audit this course. Students may not transfer from audit to credit status or vice versa. Students may register, however, on a credit basis for a course that has previously been audited.

W = indicates that a student was permitted to withdraw without penalty. Withdrawals without penalty will not be permitted after mid-semester except in cases of hardship as determined by the Registrar.

WM = indicates a student was permitted to withdraw under the Board of Regents policy for military service refunds. The use of this symbol indicates that this student was permitted to withdraw without penalty at any time during the term.

Grade Point Average

The cumulative grade point average will be calculated by dividing the number of hours scheduled in all courses attempted in which a grade of A, B, C, D, F, FN, WF or WA has been received into the number of grade points earned on those hours scheduled. The cumulative grade point average will be recorded on the student’s permanent record. Institutional credit shall in no way affect the cumulative grade point average. The grade point average is computed by multiplying the quality points earned by the credit hours of each course and dividing the total quality points earned by the total credit hours attempted. Below is an example of the GPA computation for a 12 credit hour semester load where the grades earned were an “A”, two “B’s” and a “C”:

Grade Appeals

Students wishing to appeal a final grade in a course must first discuss the grade appeal with the course instructor within 30 calendar days of the assignment of the final grade. If the student still wishes to appeal beyond the discussion with the course instructor, the student may then file a grade appeal with the appropriate dean or director. The student must submit a written request along with all supporting documentation to the dean or director within 15 calendar days of the instructor’s decision. An interview with the student and/or the course instructor may be a part of the dean’s or director’s decision. If the student wishes to appeal the dean’s or director’s decision, he/she may then appeal to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs submitting the same documentation as was submitted to the dean or director within 15 calendar days of the decision. The decision made by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs is binding.

Grade Changes

Errors in grades must be reported to the Office of the Registrar immediately. In general, no grade changes will be made after the end of the next semester after the grade was assigned, except with the approval of the Dean or Director. No requests for grade changes will be considered beyond the end of the following semester in which the grade was assigned. A petition for a grade change will not be accepted after the date of graduation.

Mid-Term Grades

Instructors will post mid-term grades to the student’s web-based academic record, but the mid-term grades do not calculate into the student’s grade point average for that semester or into the student’s cumulative grade point average. The mid-term grade on a course is not an official grade report and therefore is not permanently recorded on the student’s academic transcript; it is a periodic evaluation of the student’s progress in a course in the middle of the semester.

Grade Point Average Upon Academic Renewal

Academic Renewal (AR) allows Georgia Gwinnett College degree-seeking students who earlier experienced academic difficulty the opportunity to make a fresh start and have one final opportunity to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Application for Academic Renewal (AR):

• Students must be admitted to GGC and have had a previous absence of three (3) years from GGC or a regionally accredited institution of higher education to apply for AR.
• Students with transfer credit taken during the period of absence will receive transfer credit for all coursework eligible to be awarded; however only credit taken over three years ago is eligible for AR.
• Students are encouraged to apply for AR as soon as possible after admission to GGC. Students may not apply for AR if they were admitted one full year or longer prior to their application for AR.
• Students must have a GGC transfer grade point average (GPA) of less than 2.0 at the time of admission in order to be considered for AR.
• Students who are approved for AR will be eligible to graduate with honors based on GGC’s policy regarding academic honors at graduation.
• All previously attempted coursework continues to be recorded on the student’s official transcript.
• GGC’s registrar will review the application and determine eligibility.
• Students who are denied AR can appeal. Appeals will go to the AR appeal committee for a decision.

Procedures for Academic Renewal (AR):

1. The Academic Renewal GPA will be used for determining academic standing and eligibility for graduation.
2. To earn a degree, a student must meet the institution’s residency requirements after acquiring academic renewal status.
3. At least 50% of work toward a degree must be completed after the granting of Academic Renewal status for a student to be eligible for honors at graduation.
4. Academic credit for previously completed coursework – including transfer coursework taken more than three (3) years ago – will be retained only for courses in which an A, B or C grade has been earned.
5. Retained grades are not calculated in a Renewal GPA. Such credit is considered in the same context as transfer credit, credit by examination and courses with grades of “S.”
6. Courses with D or F grades must be repeated at the Academic Renewal institution if they are required in the student’s degree program. Further, all remaining courses for the current degree objective must be completed at the Academic Renewal institution, i.e., no transient credit will be accepted.
7. Applicability of retained credit to degree requirements will be determined by the degree requirements currently in effect at the time Academic Renewal status is conferred on the student. Specific institutional program regulations must also be met.
8. If a student does not request Academic Renewal status at the time of re-enrollment after a three (3) year or greater period of absence, the student may do so within one full calendar year.
9. The Renewal GPA begins with the semester following re-enrollment.
10. Reentry into any program is not automatic.
11. If a student is denied Academic Renewal and subsequently does not re-enroll, he/she may resubmit an Academic Renewal application after no fewer than three semesters have passed since the initial petition.
12. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede financial aid policies regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.
13. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede the admissions requirements of certain programs (e.g., teacher education, nursing) which require a specific minimum grade point average based upon all coursework.
14. The Academic Renewal GPA will include all coursework taken since re-enrollment.

Registration

Registration periods are published on the website at www.ggc.edu and additional notification is sent to students via the approved Georgia Gwinnett College student email address. Students are required to meet with their mentor prior to choosing and registering for classes each semester.

Currently enrolled students are encouraged to register early after consulting with their mentor.

Immunizations Policy

Georgia Gwinnett College requires proof of immunizations for all new students (first-year, transfers and others) as directed by policy consistent with recommendations provided by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, developed collaboratively by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the Division of Public Health of the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Such policies shall be on file in each institution’s office of student affairs.

Information is available to every new student regarding required and recommended immunizations using information developed by the Division of Public Health in concert with the Office of Student Services of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Specific colleges or departments, with concurrence of the president and the Chancellor, may require some immunizations not required for all new students by this policy. Institutions are also authorized to impose additional immunization requirements for students when, in the opinion of the president of the institution and with concurrence of the Chancellor and appropriate public health authorities, there is a substantial risk of exposure to other communicable diseases preventable by vaccination.

Pursuant to legislation, all students residing in campus housing are required to sign a document stating that they have received a vaccination against meningococcal disease or reviewed the information provided by the institution.

Drop/Add

Dropping and Adding Courses - Students may drop or add courses without penalty during the designated drop/add period for each semester or term within a semester. See the academic calendar for specific dates for drop/add. A course that is dropped during the drop/add period will not generate an official record of enrollment in the class. When adding a course, the student should complete this process online unless the student has a registration issue that requires additional approval. For special requests that require an approval from a faculty, dean or other area of the college, students should see the appropriate school office to obtain the approval and override. Overrides may be completed by the academic office or may require completion of a drop/add form.

Withdrawal from College

Students may find that there is a need to withdraw from a class after the drop/add period for the semester. The student’s academic advisor should be consulted prior to withdrawal. Once it is determined that a withdrawal is necessary, the student should complete the Course Withdrawal On-Line eForm to withdraw from a course. Course withdrawals submitted prior to midterm will result in a grade of “W”. Course withdrawals will not generate a refund of tuition. Any course withdrawals that occur after mid-term will be awarded a “WF” unless special circumstances exist where a non-academic hardship has been established. Potential non-academic hardships include medical, psychological, or personal emergencies. The student must petition for a hardship withdrawal by submitting a personal statement and supporting documentation to the Registrar’s Office. A small committee consisting of representatives from the Registrar’s Office and the Division of Student Affairs will convene to review the withdrawal. The Registrar’s Office will then notify the student of the decision regarding the hardship withdrawal.

Occasionally students may need to withdraw from college for the semester. To withdraw from class prior to the end of term, a student should complete the College Withdrawal Form which can be found on the Registrar’s website. The date the student begins the school’s withdrawal process is based on when the student notifies the college of the withdrawal.

In addition, refunds for complete withdrawal will be calculated based on the date when the student notifies the college of the withdrawal.. Note: Students receiving financial aid should contact the Financial Aid office. Grade assignments for withdrawal from Georgia Gwinnett will be the same as the above for course withdrawals. If the student wished to appeal, he/she should follow the procedure for Student Complaints found in the Georgia Gwinnett College Student Handbook.

Academic Advising and Mentoring

Mission

The mission of the GGC Student Mentoring Program is facilitating student success, development and retention by supporting the design and implementation of educational and career plans and enhancing student engagement in the academic community.

Academic Advising Model

In its broad definition of academic advising, the University System of Georgia asserts that academic advising “…represents…an opportunity for the faculty and the institution to express a special interest in both the personal and academic welfare of the students.” In keeping with this view, the overall goal of mentoring at GGC is to assure that all students achieve the Integrated Educational Experience (IEE) outcomes of the college:

1. Clearly communicate ideas in written and oral form
2. Demonstrate creativity and critical thinking in inter- and multidisciplinary contexts
3. Demonstrate effective use of information technology
4. Demonstrate an ability to collaborate in diverse and global contexts
5. Demonstrate an understanding of human and institutional decision making from multiple perspectives
6. Demonstrate an understanding of moral and ethical principles
7. Demonstrate and apply leadership principles

In support of these goals, mentoring at GGC enAccuplaceres the three broad areas of academic advising, career advising and personal growth. Within these three broad areas, the outcomes of mentoring are:

Academic Advising

• Development of academic program plans appropriate for students’ anticipated majors and career goals.
• Progression toward completion of academic requirements and graduation at a reasonable rate.
• Awareness of policies and procedures pertinent to completion of students’ planned academic programs.
• Awareness of special academic opportunities such as study abroad, internships, etc.

Career Advising

• Identification of educational and career objectives commensurate with students’ interests and abilities.
• Exploration of academic and other requirements for students’ chosen careers.
• Exploration of post-graduate educational or employment opportunities for students’ chosen careers.

Personal Growth

• Awareness of on-campus support available to students.
• Engagement in the co-curricular program of the college.
• Demonstrate leadership in the classroom, college and/or community.
• Make appropriate life decisions and accept personal responsibility for the consequences of decisions.

Ultimately, Georgia Gwinnett College graduates will be informed, engaged citizens of the community who are inspired to a lifetime of service.

Role of Faculty

All faculty and selected staff are engaged in mentoring students. Effective mentoring is a critical element in the annual evaluation process for faculty. All GGC students are assigned a faculty mentor at the point of matriculation and continue to be mentored by a faculty member throughout their educational careers.

Advising for New Students Who Place Below the University System Placement Standards

All entering students without transferable English credit (ENGL 1101 ) or college level Math credit (Math 1101 or higher), or without High School GPA or test scores that exempt them from learning support based on placement standards will be required to take Student Success English and/or Student Success Math. All entering students without transferable credit or other acceptable test scores are required to take the Math (QAS) and Reading portions of the Next Generation Accuplacer, along with the WritePlacer writing placement test. Specific information about the placement exams and placement scores are available on the Georgia Gwinnett College website. Students with Student Success (i.e., co requisite learning support) requirements are placed into Student Success/co requisite learning support courses.

Students should call the Testing Center to sign up for the tests. Students are allowed to retake the placement tests one (1) time before classes begin.

Advising for Continuing Student Success Students

Advising for continuing Student Success students is an integrated process between faculty and a dedicated Student Success advisor in the Student Success Advising Center. Advising will take place during the semester. Once students exit Student Success courses, they will be assigned a faculty advisor in the student’s chosen major.

EAP/ESL Student Advising

Students whose first language is other than English and who do not have transferable English credit, or high school GPA or test scores that exempt them from learning support English requirements will be required to take a co requisite English course (ENGL 0999E) along with their collegiate level English course. The ENGL 0999E course is designed to support the success of multilingual students in the ENGL 1101 collegiate course as part of GGC’s English for Academic Purposes/English as a Second Language (EAP/ESL) support program for matriculated ESL students.

Note that if a student does not meet GGC’s minimum English Proficiency requirements (as indicated by an approved method for determining English Proficiency) and is thus not granted regular admission, the student can instead be referred to and admitted into GGC’s approved English as a second language program, the English Language Institute (ELI).

Grizzly Renewal Opportunity Workshops (GROW) Program

Students who have been placed on academic suspension may participate in the Grizzly Renewal Opportunity Workshops (GROW) Program the following academic term, excluding summer. This program engages participants in activities designed to help them improve their academic success skills and their academic standing. Suspended students who do not participate in the GROW program must sit out for one semester and appeal to the Admissions Committee for readmission.

Students who choose to enroll in the program must submit a completed GROW Program Agreement and Academic Improvement Plan to the Mentoring and Advising Center by the designated deadlines. Participants may enroll in no more than seven (7) hours and must attend all scheduled meetings with their assigned Student Success advisor. Participants must earn at least a 2.0 semester GPA to be eligible for continued enrollment at GGC and will successfully exit the program when they earn at least a 2.0 semester GPA and a cumulative GPA that brings their academic standing back into good standing as outlined in the GGC academic standing standards. Those who earn a 2.0 semester GPA but have not reached academic good standing will remain in the program for the following semester. Participants who do not earn a semester GPA of at least 2.0 or who fail to meet any of the conditions of the GROW Program Agreement face academic dismissal.

Minority Advising Program

See Board of Regents Academic & Student Affairs Handbook Section 2.7.1

Georgia Gwinnett College Students Enrolling at Other Institutions as Transient Status

A Georgia Gwinnett College student who wishes to take a course at another institution must complete an application for admission to the transient institution. Transient enrollment requires approval by both institutions and it is the student’s responsibility to comply with that college’s standards and application deadlines. Georgia Gwinnett College students seeking transient approval should coordinate the process with his/her academic advisor and the Office of the Registrar.

Students who seek transient status must obtain approval from the appropriate dean.

Those students who are enrolled at Georgia Gwinnett may request to be a transient student at other institutions provided that the courses that they seek to take at another institution fall into one of the following categories:

1. The course(s) which the student is requesting to take is/are not offered at Georgia Gwinnett College during the semester in which the student desires to take the course(s)
2. The course(s) which the student is requesting to take is/are closed due to full enrollment during the semester in which the student desires to take the course(s).

Students will complete the Request for Transient Permission. This form is valid for one term of enrollment only. In order to receive transient permission, it is the student’s responsibility to:

1. Be currently enrolled at Georgia Gwinnett College as a degree-seeking student;
2. Be in good academic standing;
3. Have completed all Learning Support and/or English for Academic Purposes requirements;
4. Have completed all Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) requirements.

In order to receive transfer credit at Georgia Gwinnett College for the specified courses, it is the responsibility of the student to:

1. Be currently enrolled at Georgia Gwinnett College as a degree-seeking student;
2. Be in good academic standing;
3. Have completed all Learning Support and/or English for Academic Purposes requirements;
4. Have completed all Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) requirements.

Georgia Gwinnett College
Enrollment Management Office
1000 University Center Lane
Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Students receiving HOPE scholarship or Veteran’s Affairs Benefits must coordinate payment details with the financial aid offices at both Georgia Gwinnett College and the transient institution.

ARCHE - Cross Registration

Georgia Gwinnett College is one of twenty partnering schools that participate in the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE) cross registration program. The cross registration program allows students at member institutions to broaden their academic experience by registering for courses at other member colleges and universities. To be eligible to participate in ARCHE, a student must be in good academic standing and be currently enrolled in at least one credit course.

ARCHE Students Attending Georgia Gwinnett College

Applications for cross registration will be reviewed if received by the Arche Cross Registration Application Deadlines listed below. Students must meet the prerequisites (if any) of the requested course as defined. Students will be registered based on space availability after all Georgia Gwinnett College students have had an opportunity to register for courses. Official transcripts will be sent to the student’s home institution following Georgia Gwinnett College’s end of semester.

Georgia Gwinnett College Students Attending other ARCHE Institutions

First-semester freshman are not eligible for cross registration (unless cross registering for marching band). Students must meet the prerequisites (if any) of the requested course as defined by the host institution. Students will not be approved for cross registration if the course is available at Georgia Gwinnett College. Students will pay all tuition and fees to Georgia Gwinnett College; however special fees or security deposits may be required at the host institution. Grades are determined according to the standards and practices of the host institution. The host institution will send the grade to Georgia Gwinnett College and the grade will be included on the official Georgia Gwinnett College transcript.

Students must submit an application for cross registration to the Registrar’s Office in time for the Registrar to send the application to the host institution by the ARCHE cross registration application deadline listed below. Students will be required to have the approval of their mentor in order to submit the application form. Students who have holds on their record will be required to have all holds resolved in order for the application for cross registration to be processed.

Arche Cross Registration Application Deadlines:

Fall: July 15, Spring: November 15, Summer (if applicable): April 15

Auditing Courses

The auditing of courses will be permitted for regularly enrolled students who have obtained the approval of their adviser. Proper paperwork obtained in the Office of the Registrar must be filed before the end of late registration, drop/add. Such courses count at full value in computing the student’s course and fees load and the student’s name should appear on the official class rolls of the courses audited. The courses being audited should also appear on the student’s approved schedule of courses. No credit is granted for courses scheduled on an auditing basis and students are not permitted to change to or from an auditing status except through the regular procedures for schedule changes. The grade for auditing is V (visitor) and this grade should at no time be changed to a W on the basis of the auditor’s attendance in the course. The grade of V will have no effect upon the student’s grade-point average and students will not be permitted to have the audit grade changed at any future date.

Repeated Courses

In the case of courses that are repeated, the higher grade will substitute for the lower grade on the student’s academic degree evaluation. The higher grade will replace the lower grade in the computation of the student’s GGC-GPA. However, the repeated course will be counted as an attempt for the maximum timeframe component of 150% of the required number of hours for the degree program.

NOTE: All grades may be factored into the cumulative GPA in compliance with financial aid programs and credentialing programs external to the College. Each student will limited to two repeats of a course (a maximum of three attempts). Students who wish to repeat a course after three attempts must meet with the Dean. It is at the Dean’s discretion if the student remains in good standing.

Academic Standing

Classification of Students

Class designation is generally based on the number of hours the student has earned in courses offered at Georgia Gwinnett College or transferred from other educational institutions. Following is a general explanation of class designation.

Freshman: A student who has earned fewer than 30 hours of credit.
Sophomore: A student who has earned 30 to 59 hours of credit.
Junior: A student who has earned 60 to 89 hours of credit.
Senior: A student who has earned 90 or more hours of credit.

Class designation does not necessarily reflect the students’ readiness to graduate or progress in their chosen program of study.

Good Standing - Students are considered to be in Good Standing with the College if they are eligible to enroll in classes and are not on Academic or Conduct Probation. Students in Good Standing with the College may hold office in any college club or organization, and participate in athletics. Students not in Good Standing with the College, who wish to appeal holding office in any college club, organization, or participation in athletics, must submit their appeal through the Student Complaint Process.

Good Academic Standing - Georgia Gwinnett College seeks to provide ample opportunities for all students to fully realize their academic potential and goals. In turn, all students attending Georgia Gwinnett College are expected to maintain certain academic standards that are outlined in the table below. A student is in good academic standing if their cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College grade point average is at or above the Minimum Cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College Grade Point Average for the number of semester hours attempted plus transfer hours. These standards stress the importance of successful performance by students to maintain an academic status of good academic standing.

Academic Warning - If a student in Good Academic Standing fails to maintain the appropriate Minimum Cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College GPA, they will be placed on Academic Warning. The student will receive a written notice alerting them that a continued deterioration in academic performance will result in Academic Probation. The student will also be required to meet with their advisor to implement a plan for improvement before registering for the subsequent semester as a way to promote academic progress and student success. Students will have one semester to raise their GPA to the appropriate Minimum Cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College GPA and return to Good Academic Standing.

Academic Probation - Students will be placed on academic probation if they fail to achieve the appropriate minimum cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College GPA for two consecutive semesters. A student on academic probation will be restricted to a maximum of 14 semester hours of course work in the subsequent semester of enrollment and may not represent the college in any official capacity (student organizations, athletics, etc.). Students on Academic Probation may also be subject to a loss of certain financial aid funds and should check with the Financial Aid Office regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations for Financial Aid. Students will remove themselves from probation by raising their GPA to the appropriate minimum cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College GPA.

Continued Probation - Students who earn a 2.00 GPA during any semester in which they are on Academic Probation, but do not raise their Georgia Gwinnett College cumulative GPA sufficiently to be removed from probation, will continue on Academic Probation and thereby avoid Academic Suspension.

Academic Suspension - A student who fails to a) remove themselves from Academic Probation or b) meet the requirements of Continued Probation will be placed on Academic Suspension. A student on Academic Suspension will be prohibited from taking courses or participating in college level activities for the duration of the exclusion. Students excluded at the end of Fall semester must sit out the following Spring semester and are eligible to apply to return the following Summer semester. Students excluded Spring Semester must sit out the following Fall semester are eligible to apply to return the following Spring semester. Students excluded Summer semester must sit out the following Fall semester and are eligible to apply to return the following Spring semester.

After this absence, the student may apply for readmission to the college through the Admissions Committee. Students readmitted following an Academic Suspension are placed on Academic Probation and are subject to the cumulative GPA requirements listed above. Any exceptions to this policy must be appealed to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

Academic Dismissal - Students who are placed on Academic Probation returning to the college after Academic Suspension during their tenure at the college and who fail either to remove themselves from this status or to meet the requirements of Continued Probation will face Academic Dismissal. A student on Academic Dismissal will be prohibited from taking courses or participating in college-related activities for one calendar year from the end of the semester in which the dismissal occurred, after which the student may apply for readmission to the college using the procedures followed by any new student. Students readmitted following an Academic Dismissal are placed on Academic Probation and are subject to the cumulative grade point average requirement listed above. Students who receive a second Academic Dismissal will not be eligible for readmission to Georgia Gwinnett College. Any exceptions to this policy must be appealed to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

Dismissals from Other Institutions - A student serving a dismissal or similar penalty from another institution must serve that time and not be allowed to attend Georgia Gwinnett College until their penalty has expired. If a student has been permanently suspended from another institution, the Admissions Committee will process the student like any other transfer student who appeals the denial of admission to Georgia Gwinnett College. Any exceptions to this policy must be appealed to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

Recognition of Scholarship

President’s List – The President’s List may include undergraduate students who achieve a 4.0 semester GPA in 12 or more hours. All work must be taken on a letter-graded basis and students must be in good academic standing. This distinction is noted on the academic transcript. Students will not be eligible for the President’s List by virtue of repeated courses. A student who has been found responsible for a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is not eligible for the President’s List.

Dean’s List – The Dean’s List may include students who complete 12 semester hours or more and achieve a minimum term grade-point average of 3.60 or higher. All work must be letter-graded with no grade below a C and students must be in good academic standing. Part-time students achieve Dean’s List status if they complete at least 8 hours to 11 credit-bearing hours on a letter-graded basis, earn no grade below a C and attain a grade point average of 3.6. Students are not eligible for the Dean’s List by virtue of repeated courses. A student who has been found responsible for a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is not eligible for the Dean’s List.

Transcript Requests

Georgia Gwinnett College has partnered with Scrip-Safe to provide our students, former students and alumni with access to “Transcripts on Demand,” an online transcript ordering system which provided 24/7 access to transcript ordering. Transcripts may be delivered either through Scrip-Safe’s Global Electronic Transcript Delivery Network or by traditional U.S. mail. Students can order a transcript by accessing Transcripts on Demand at https://iwantmytranscript.com/ggc. Student will need to create an e-Script-Safe personal account to submit a request for an academic transcript. Students may request an electronic transcript or a transcript to be mailed. Transcripts cost a minimum of $3 per transcript.

Academic Integrity

Georgia Gwinnett College students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity and are expected to encourage others to do the same. Further, students are expected to take responsible action when there is reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of others. While it is not possible to list all acts of academic dishonesty, examples include:

Cheating

This act of dishonesty includes giving information to or taking information from other students during examinations. Cheating is also committed when students copy from unauthorized sources and/or represent some other person’s work as their own. Collaboration on out-of-class assignments or examinations is considered to be cheating if prohibited by the professor.

Plagiarism

This category includes copying material from unpublished or published sources, including electronic resources and submitting that material as the student’s own work. Students are responsible for identifying the proper source and for giving credit to that source anytime that they present ideas which are not their own.

Collusion

This act of dishonesty includes buying or selling material which will be misrepresented as a student’s own work. In addition, students who fail to report known acts of academic dishonesty on the part of others are guilty of collusion.

Previously submitted material

Students must not submit work which has been or is being concurrently submitted, in whole or in part, in another class without first having received the permission of all the professors involved.

Misrepresentation or falsification of material

This act includes misrepresenting, fabricating, or altering academic material, such as transcripts, diplomas, grades or records, professors’ or administrators’ signatures or initials. In addition, students must not take an examination or test in the name of another student or present another student’s work as their own.

Misrepresentation of circumstances

Students must not misrepresent personal circumstances (e.g., illness, conflicting responsibilities, etc.) to avoid meeting academic responsibilities.

Academic dishonesty carries severe penalties ranging from a grade of “0” on the affected assignment to dismissal from Georgia Gwinnett College. Each faculty member at Georgia Gwinnett College bears the responsibility for assigning penalties for cases of academic dishonesty. Students may appeal a penalty for academic dishonesty to the Academic Dean or Director of the School in which the course is taught or to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

The decision of the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs is considered to be final. In cases of dismissal from college, the student may appeal to the President utilizing procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct for “Further Review for Cases Resulting in Suspension, Expulsion, Charter Suspension/Revocation and Revocation of College Registration.”

Program Completion

Upon completion of the student’s degree requirements and any other requirements listed below and upon recommendation and approval by the College faculty, Georgia Gwinnett College students will receive a diploma reflecting their graduation with a Bachelor’s degree in their chosen major.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Georgia Gwinnett College offers baccalaureate degrees in Arts, Education, Science and Business Administration. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) majors include English, History and Political Science. Bachelor of Science (B.S.) majors include Information Technology, Math, Psychology, Biology and Criminal Justice. The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) major is Business Administration. The Bachelor of Science in Education includes majors in Early Childhood and Special Education.

Commencement ceremonies are held two times a year: fall and spring semesters.

Although students may complete requirements for graduation during any semester, degrees and diplomas will not be officially conferred until the graduation ceremonies. The official date when the student has completed requirements for the degree will be specified on the student’s permanent record. All students are required to participate in graduation exercises. Students who cannot attend for some reason known in advance of the ceremony must request to be excused from this requirement by obtaining and completing the appropriate form available in the registrar’s office. All necessary signatures must be obtained by the student who should then return the In Absentia Form to the registrar’s office.

Students must submit their application for graduation by the graduation application deadline. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for deadline dates. The graduation fee covers the cost of the diploma, cap and gown, as well as other administrative costs associated with graduation.

In order for Georgia Gwinnett College to confer a baccalaureate degree, the following general requirements must be met:

1. The student must submit the graduation application to the Office of the Registrar by the application deadline.
2. There is a graduation fee of $50.  A late fee will be assessed after the deadline.   Beginning Fall 2019, candidates for graduation will need to purchase their cap and gown through the Bookstore at an additional cost.
3. The student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 123 semester hours of college work.
4. A student must be in good academic standing at the time of graduation.
5. Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at the time of graduation. Some majors require a higher minimum grade point average. Consult the appropriate department section for specific requirements.
6. Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at the time of graduation in all course work required for their major. Some majors require a higher minimum major grade point average. Consult the appropriate department section for specific requirements

Residence Requirement for Degree

Georgia Gwinnett College requires all students to complete at least 25% of their overall semester hours of credit in residence prior to graduation. A student is defined to be “in residence” when taking Georgia Gwinnett College courses. Transient courses taken at another institution and courses transferred from other colleges are not considered to qualify a student as “in residence.”

Typically, the last thirty-one (31) semester hours of a student’s academic program satisfies the requirement to be “in residence.” Alternative arrangements to using the last thirty-one (31) semester hours of the student’s academic program must be approved by the appropriate School Dean with notification of the approval sent to the Registrar’s Office.

Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to graduate from Georgia Gwinnett College without satisfying the “in residence” requirement.

Graduation with Honors

Students graduating from Georgia Gwinnett College may qualify for one of three honors designations. Eligibility for one of these honors designations will be based on the cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College GPA (all coursework taken at GGC’s as well as all credit awarded transfer credit) at the point of completion of all course work. The appropriate honors designation will be noted on the student’s diploma as well as on the student’s academic transcript from Georgia Gwinnett College.

Cum Laude: Cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College -GPA = 3.50 to 3.74
Magna Cum Laude: Cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College -GPA = 3.75 to 3.874
Summa Cum Laude: Cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College -GPA = 3.875 to 4.00

General Education

The General Education program at Georgia Gwinnett College is an outcomes-based curriculum that is consistent with Georgia Gwinnett College’s mission and vision. Georgia Gwinnett College has determined the outcomes expected of a student completing the program. Thus, Georgia Gwinnett College expects its general education program will produce engaged and informed citizens who:

1. Clearly communicate ideas in written and oral form;
2. Demonstrate creativity and critical thinking in inter- and multi-disciplinary contexts;
3. Demonstrate effective use of information technology;
4. Develop intercultural awarenes of diverse viewpoints and of local and global perspectives
5. Produce scholarly or creative works that reflect information lliterary knowledge, skills and dispositions.
6. Demonstrate ethical and moral principles.
7. Demonstrate and apply leadership principles;
8. Demonstrate an ability to reason quantitatively;

These core competencies represent the intellectual skills and knowledge required of an educated person in a diverse, global and technologically-oriented society. In addition, these core competencies represent a multidisciplinary foundation on which the major programs of study build an interdisciplinary component to a student’s chosen specialization. Thus, the general education program becomes the key to a fulfilling life of self-knowledge, self-reflection, critical awareness and lifelong learning

Incoming freshmen students should use the table below to assure they meet all the course requirements of the General Education program.

Core Curriculum

Policy Number: 3.3.1
Effective Date: August 1, 2018
Revision History: May 26, 2016
Policy Contact: Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs/Provost

Purpose and Policy Statement

This policy provides guidance to GGC students as they plan their enrollment and the faculty and advisors who provide guidance to them, so that students can satisfy all course requirements and graduate in a timely way. It provides guidance related to information technology course requirements, transferability of core courses, and specific courses that mean core curriculum requirements.

Scope

Students need to be able to access this policy to know about Georgia Gwinnett College’s general education requirements, and those staff and faculty who advise students also need to access the policy.

Roles and Responsibilities

Students: need to know general education guidelines

Employees who advise/mentor students: need to know general education guidelines.

Compliance

For specific requirements for Georgia Gwinnett College, refer to Program Completion in the Georgia Gwinnett College Catalog. In addition to the 60 hour core curriculum all students are required to complete three credit hours of physical education that includes one credit hour of wellness (such as PHED 1101) and two additional credit hours of physical education. Veterans with 12 months or more active military service may request a waiver of the required physical education credits.

Students transferring to Georgia Gwinnett College should be aware that this policy aligns with the University System of Georgia policies and guidelines.

Transfer of Core Courses

Students completing any core curriculum course at GGC or through eCore will receive full credit for that course upon transfer to another USG institution within the same major, even if a core area is not completed and even if it means giving transfer credit across areas (e.g., credit of a math course in Area C).

Information Technology Course Requirement

All transfer students are required to complete ITEC 1001 (or higher IT course) unless completed at a prior institution. This is not an additional graduation requirement but will count toward completion of the Institutional Priority Area or Technology, Mathematics and Science Area or the program of study.

Core Curriculum Assessment

Assessment of the core curriculum is required as part of GGC’s accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and by the USG Comprehensive Program review process.

General Education Requirements

Students transferring into or out of Georgia Gwinnett College may use the table below to assure completion of all General Education requirements.

*Passing two exams, the Georgia History exam and the Georgia Constitution exam, will enable students to meet Georgia’s Government Legislative Requirement and the Georgia History Requirement, both of which are required of all college students graduating in Georgia. However, the passing of these two tests does not exempt students from earning the course credits. For example, transfer students who have taken American Government in another state may use the transfer course in the Gen Ed area but must ALSO meet the Georgia requirements by retaking the course in Georgia, taking both of the relevant tests (Georgia History exam and Georgia Constitution exam) OR taking a course in the same discipline that will serve as a suitable substitute. Even if a student has passed both exams, the student will still need to take POLS 1101 and either HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 (6 hours credit). If the student takes HIST 2111 and HIST 2112, he/she can use one of them for the first section “History.” However, the student also will need to take 3 hours of POLS 1101 from the second section “Human and Institutional Behavior.”   

Related Regulations, Statutes, Policies, and Procedures

BOR 3.3.1 Core Curriculum

Upper Division Major Requirements

Each graduate must complete all curriculum and related requirements for one specific major as listed in the appropriate section of the catalog. In addition to courses, graduation requirements may include GPA minimums, experiential learning, residency regulations, assessments, examinations, remedial work, or other requirements as explained in the Georgia Gwinnett catalog or official program handbooks. Unless otherwise stated, all upper division courses in baccalaureate degree programs require a minimum grade of C. At least 39 semester hours must be taken at the 3000 level or above.

Demonstration of English/Reading Competency and Regents Writing Competency

Georgia Gwinnett College has established standards and criteria for demonstrating competency in writing and in reading. Students with transfer credit for ENGL 1101  and/or ENGL 1102  will meet the criteria for demonstrating competency. Students’ records will be updated to show satisfaction of English/Reading Competency and Regent Writing Competency upon receiving transfer credit for ENGL 1101  or ENGL 1102  (with a grade of C or better) or completion of ENGL 1101  or ENGL 1102  at Georgia Gwinnett College (with a grade of C or better).

United States and Georgia History and Constitution

All colleges and universities sustained or in any manner supported by public funds shall give instruction in the history of the United States, in the history of Georgia and in the essentials of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia and no undergraduate student in any college or university shall receive a certificate of graduation or a degree without successfully completing course work or previously passing a satisfactory examination on the history of the United States and the history of Georgia and upon the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia.

United States and Georgia History Exams

Eligibility to Take History Tests

The tests are designed to allow students to meet the legislative requirement of demonstrating knowledge of US and Georgia history, only if they failed to fulfill it in the normal course of completing their general education requirements. Students will be required to take the US History test or to take an additional specific history course if they completed the Social Science Area requirement without taking a US history course.

Students will be required either to take the Georgia History test or to take an additional specific history course if they fall into one of the following categories:

1. Students who received US History AP credit which exempted their taking the General Education in the Poltical Science or Social Science Areas required history courses.
2. Students who completed a US History course in fulfilling the Social Science Area at a non-USG system school.

Students may take either test only twice in their academic career and not more than once per semester. If they fail a test twice, they MUST take an additional course that meets the legislative requirement.

Overview of US History Test

This computer-based test contains multiple choice questions that replicate a rigorous final exam in a course that meets the US History legislative requirements. Thus the test format includes 33 US history multiple choice questions worth 3 points and one question worth 1 point for a total of 100 points. The thirty-four questions are generated from a test bank of over 900 questions.

Overview of Georgia History Test

This computer-based test consists of 40 multiple choice questions that focus on the political and social history of the state from prehistory to contemporary experience.

Alternatives to Taking Test

Students may take history courses at Georgia Gwinnett College that meet the legislative requirement. These courses currently include the US History surveys (HIST 2111  and HIST 2112 ) and HIST 3265  (Georgia History).

Multiple Majors

Double Major

Students may enroll in a program leading to a double major. A student may complete a double major by completing one type of baccalaureate degree (e.g., a Bachelor of Science) and electing to concurrently pursue two majors of that type of degree. A student must complete a double major simultaneously. In order to complete a double major students must satisfy all requirements for both majors, including general education requirements across schools if applicable. Courses common to both majors may be counted toward the requirements of each major. Courses that are required or are electives in one major may be used to fulfill electives in the other major, however, the double major must contain coursework of a minimum of 150 credit hours. Student completing a double major will receive one diploma with both major fields of study noted on the transcript. To declare a double major, students must be advised by faculty in both academic disciplines and complete the Application for Double Major form.

Double Degree

Students may enroll in a program leading to a double degree. A student may complete a double degree by completing two types of baccalaureate degrees (e.g., a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Business Administration). A student must complete a double degree simultaneously. In order to complete a double degree students must satisfy all requirements for both majors, including general education requirements across schools if applicable. Courses common to both majors may be counted toward the requirements of each major. Courses that are required or are electives in one major may be used to fulfill electives in the other major, however, the double degree must contain coursework of a minimum of 150 credit hours. Students completing double degrees will receive two diplomas. Both degrees will be noted on the transcript. To declare a double degree, students must be advised by faculty in both academic disciplines and complete the Application for Double Degree form.

Multiple Concentrations

Students may choose to complete multiple concentrations within the same academic degree program. In order to complete multiple concentrations, students must satisfy all required courses for each concentration, including specified general education requirements across schools, if applicable. In addition to the completion of these required courses, students must earn the total number of credits required in the first concentration and they also must take a minimum of 15 additional hours for each concentration, or the stipulated amount of hours for the concentration in that discipline, as is applicable. Multiple concentrations will be noted on the transcript.

To declare multiple concentrations, students must complete the “Application for Multiple Concentrations” form. After declaring multiple concentrations, students must be advised by the appropriate faculty in each of the academic specialty areas, if applicable. If a student would like to take 15-18 hours in a discipline or major outside of his/her academic degree program, the student should pursue the appropriate academic minor.

Academic Minors Policy

An academic minor allows students to expand and broaden their educational experience by exploring a particular subject or subjects in sufficient depth to gain competency. By completing a minor, a student can become familiar with an additional area of study which will supplement the expertise gained in the major. In the case of an interdisciplinary minor, the student will have had the opportunity to learn about a particular theme or focused area of inquiry or study.

Each minor has a particular set of curricular goals and student learning outcomes which are determined by the school or unit which offers the minor. By following the prescribed courses of study in the minor, a student must master these curricular outcomes.

GGC Guidelines

1. The minor will be comprised of a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 18 credit hours.
2. At least 9 hours of upper level courses must be included in the coursework for the minor, subject to all other guideline restrictions.
3. Courses taken to satisfy the General Education IMPACT Areas may not be counted as coursework in the minor.
4. Courses from the Field of Study Area may be counted as duplicate courses for the minor.
5. Those students considering declaring a minor should first check to see what the pre-requisites are for courses in the minor; and students also should determine if taking all of the courses in the minor (and any courses required as pre-requisites) will cause them to exceed the limit of courses whose costs are covered by financial aid.

Other Guidelines

1. The School offering the minor will be responsible for the following areas:
   1. Appropriate Curricular Approvals. A School seeking to offer a minor will request approval for the minor through the appropriate institutional channels and receive approval before offering the minor. The minor must be approved through the college’s curriculum review process; subsequent approval must be obtained from the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. The USG must be notified of the addition of a minor in a discipline with an approved major. The addition of a minor in a discipline that does not have an approved major must be approved by the USG.
   2. Requirements determining requirements for the minor shall be the responsibility of the school.
   3. Grade Point Average. Grade point average requirements for the minor, if any will be determined by the School
   4. Graduation eligibility. Verifying clearance for graduating with a minor shall be the responsibility of the School.
   5. Interdisciplinary Minor. An interdisciplinary minor will be handled by the School designated to offer the minor in consultation with appropriate faculty from the other areas. This School also must obtain the appropriate curricular approvals, including the curriculum committees and subsequent approval from the Deans of the other schools and the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.
2. Mentoring/Advising
   1. Selection of a Minor. A student may select a minor in consultation with his/her assigned faculty mentor. The student may consult with a faculty member in the minor field, but the faculty mentor remains the primary contact for program plan advising.
   2. Advising. The Schools that sponsor minors will prepare program plan sheets to be used by faculty mentors and students.
3. Responsibilities of the Registrar
   1. Banner. The Registrar will build minors into CAPP.
   2. Graduation Application. The Registrar shall be responsible for adding an option for minor on the application for graduation.
   3. Student Transcript. Listing the minor and date completed on the student transcript will be the responsibility of the Registrar.
   4. Completion of Requirements. After applying for graduation, if a student fails to complete the requirements for the minor but otherwise meets the requirements for graduation, the student may choose to graduate without the minor.

University System and Technical College System of Articulation Agreement

See Board of Regents Policy Manual Section 3.3.5.

Associate Degrees, Diplomas & Certificates

See Board of Regents Policy Manual Section 3.3.5.1.

Withdrawal Policy without Penalty

See Board of Regents Policy Manual Section 2.5.3,

General Education Course Transfer

See Board of Regents Policy Manual Section 3.3.5.2

Georgia Gwinnett College Credit Granting Policy

The credit hour at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is the unit by which course work is measured. All courses originate at the school level and are reviewed based on the standards set forth by the College Curriculum Committee’s Policy and Procedures.

GGC adheres to the view by the Department of Education indicating that learning outcomes are the final and most important result of varied educational platforms, and that individual institutions set standards for granting academic credit. Specific learning outcomes are assessed by each school.

A variety of teaching platforms (traditional day, evening, weekends) are available to the traditional and nontraditional students at GGC. Below are the typical formats used by GGC with the indicators of engaged learning time per credit to which the institution adheres. In addition, selected courses are offered in split sessions in the fall and spring semesters or mini sessions in the summer. The contact time for these different formats is equal to the full semester as per the chart below. Georgia Gwinnett College participates in eCore through the University of Georgia initiative (INGRESS). Contact hours for eCore courses are defined by the University System of Georgia.