Academic Information

Each Thomas Nelson credit course is described by a prefix, number, credits, description, prerequisites, co-requisites, and number of hours per week.

Course Numbering System

1-9 Developmental courses.

Credits earned in these courses are not applicable toward associate degree programs; however, upon approval by the chief academic officer, some developmental courses may provide credit appropriate for certificate programs.

10-99 Basic non-degree courses for certificate programs.

Credits earned in these courses are applicable toward certificate programs, but are not applicable toward an associate degree. (ESL courses may also be numbered 10-99 but are not applicable to a certificate or degree.)

100-199 Freshman-level courses applicable toward associate degrees and/or certificates.

200-299 Sophomore-level courses applicable toward associate degrees and/or certificates.

Course Credits

Each semester hour of credit given for a course is based on the “academic hour,” which is 50 minutes of formalized, structured instructional time in a particular course weekly for fifteen weeks. Courses may include lecture (instruction, discussion), laboratory (including clinical training, studio, or internship), out-of-class study/activities or a combination thereof, depending on the discipline. Students should expect the following:

• One academic hour of lecture plus an average of two hours of out of class study for each lecture credit per week.
• Two to five academic hours of laboratory and at least one hour of out-of-class study for each laboratory credit per week.

Grading System

The quality of performance in any academic course is reported by a letter grade, the assignment of which is the responsibility of the instructor. These grades denote the character of study and are assigned quality points as follows:

In selected credit courses, students may have the option of receiving a final grade of Pass (P) or Unsatisfactory (U) instead of a traditional letter grade. To determine what restrictions apply, a student is advised to see a counselor or an advisor.

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned in courses by the total number of credits attempted. (Developmental credits are not included in this computation.) An overall GPA including all courses completed is computed each semester. See the next section for repeated course grade point averaging. Grade points are computed by multiplying the number of credits completed by the points for the grades earned. For example, for BIO 102-01 (4 credits), the student earned a B grade (3 points) = 12 grade points.

Grade Reports

Final grade reports are available to the student after the end of each semester via www.tncc.edu, MyTNCC or https://tncc.my.vccs.edu/jsp/home.jsp. Final grades are a part of the student’s permanent academic record. Errors should be reported to the Office of Enrollment Services within six weeks of the end of the semester in which the grade was given. Normally, a change of grade(s) cannot take place after the semester following the issuance of the grade.

Transcripts

A student may request that a copy of his or her Student Permanent Record from the College be forwarded to other educational institutions, employers, or any person(s) designated by the student. If the student attended Thomas Nelson after 1977, requests to send transcripts to another member of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) will not be honored. Electronic transcripts available via the VCCS Student Information System will be sufficient for colleges within the VCCS. The request must be authorized by the individual student by completing and signing a Transcript Request Form available in Enrollment Services at the Hampton campus or 4601 Opportunity Way, Historic Triangle campus, or by writing a request which includes the student’s current and former names, Social Security number, dates of attendance, and signature. Transcript requests will generally be processed within 7-10 business days. There is no fee for transcripts. This form is available online at www.tncc.edu/transcripts.

Due to limitations on access to student information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, telephone and third party requests for transcripts cannot be honored.

Financial aid transcripts are available at no cost through the Financial Aid Office.

Classification of Students

All students are classified according to the following categories:

Curricular student: a student who has satisfied all college admission requirements and has been admitted to a degree or certificate program.

Non-curricular student: a student who is not formally admitted to one of the curricula but who is classified according to one of the following student goals or conditions:

• updating employment skills for present job
• developing skills for new job
• career exploration
• personal satisfaction and general knowledge
• transient student
• non-degree transfer student
• high school student (with college approval only)
• general or curricular requirements pending (with college approval only)
• restricted enrollment (with college approval only; auditing a course)

Freshman: a student who has fewer than 30 credits.

Sophomore: a student who has 30 or more credits completed in the designated curriculum, including relevant transfer credits.

Student Status

Full-time: a student enrolled in courses totaling 12 or more credit hours.

Part-time: a student enrolled in courses totaling less than 12 credit hours.

Academic Load

A full-time load is 12 semester hours, and the normal maximum fulltime load is 18 credit hours. A curricular student wishing to carry an academic load of 19 credits or more (excluding the SDV 100  orientation) must have a 3.0 average or higher and the approval of his or her division dean.

If the student has received academic warning or is on academic probation, he or she may be required to take less than the normal course load.

Examinations

All students are expected to take their final examinations at regularly scheduled times. No exceptions will be made for a student without the permission of the division dean and the instructor.

Repeating a Course

A student will be limited to two enrollments in the same credit course. Students requesting to enroll in the same course more than twice must meet with the designated counselor. The need must be documented by a counselor and approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The last day to submit a request to the Vice President for Academic Affairs will be the last business day before the first day of classes. The limitation does not apply to the courses in the Curriculum Guide identified as General Usage Courses (e.g., 90, 195, 295). Please note that auditing or withdrawing from a course is considered an “attempt” for purposes of repeating a course.

Repeated courses affect the cumulative grade point average (GPA) in the following way(s):

• Effective Fall 1996, only the most recent course attempt (taken in Fall 1996 or later) will be calculated into the cumulative GPA, and credit for all previous attempts will be forfeited.
• For courses taken the first time during or after Summer 1994 and repeated before or during Summer 1996, only the most recent course attempt was calculated into the cumulative GPA, and credit for all previous attempts was forfeited.
• When both/all attempts were made before Summer 1994, all semester grades were averaged into the cumulative GPA, and all semester credits earned were retained.
• For a course taken before Summer 1994 and repeated once during or after Summer 1994 (but before Fall 1996), all semester grades were averaged into the cumulative GPA, and all semester credits earned were retained.
• Certain courses, including general usage courses and those identified as “may be repeated for credit,” are exempt from this procedure.
• Repeated courses affect the completion of a degree in the following way: Only the most recent course attempt will be applied to the Program of Study. Please note that grades of “X,” “I,” and “W” will not count as a first or subsequent attempt for the purpose of GPA calculation, although they do count as attempts toward the two-enrollment limit rule.

Auditing a Course

With permission of the appropriate division dean, a student may register for a course on an audit basis without taking the examination or receiving credit. The regular tuition and fee rate is charged. Requests for credit enrollment in a class will be given priority over audit enrollment. Audited courses carry no credit and do not count as part of one’s course load.

Students desiring to change status in a course from audit to credit or from credit to audit must do so by the last day to add or make schedule changes. Please note that auditing a course is considered an “attempt” for purposes of repeating the course.

Types of Programs

Career/Technical Education

Career/technical education programs are designed to meet the increasing demand for technicians, semiprofessional workers, apprentices, and skilled crafts persons for employment in industry, business, the professions, and government. These programs normally require two years or less of training beyond high school. They may include preparation for business, engineering technology, health and medical professions, industrial, public service, and other technical and occupational fields. CTE awards offered by Thomas Nelson include:

• Associate of Applied Arts degree (AAA): A two-year degree designed to give students a strong foundation in one of the arts-related curricula as preparation for employment immediately following graduation from Thomas Nelson.
• Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS): A two-year degree designed to give students a strong foundation in one of the career and technical fields as preparation for employment immediately following graduation from Thomas Nelson.
• Certificate (C): An award representing one year of study (30-59 credits) designed to prepare students for entry-level positions and/or advancement in a variety of technical, semiprofessional and skilled craft fields in business and industry.
• Career Studies Certificate (CSC): An award representing less than one year of study (9-29 credits) designed to provide just-in-time training and prepare students for certification and/or immediate employment in a number of technical fields.

College Transfer Education

College transfer programs are designed to include the first two years of a four-year program in arts and sciences and pre-professional programs meeting standards acceptable for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs. These programs are equal in content and quality to those provided in four-year, degree-granting institutions to facilitate the transfer of students from the community college to four-year colleges and universities. Transfer awards offered by Thomas Nelson include:

• Associate of Arts degree (AA): A two-year degree program that parallels the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts degree at a four-year institution. Liberal studies focus on the fine arts, languages, literature, philosophy, humanities, and the development of critical thinking skills.
• Associate of Science degree (AS): A two-year degree program that parallels the first two years of a Bachelor of Science degree at a four-year institution. Courses focus on preparing students for entry into education, business, science, engineering, and social science fields.

Graduation Requirements

Catalog of Record

The catalog to be used in determining graduation requirements is the one in effect at the time of the student’s initial program placement into the curriculum, or any subsequent catalog of the student’s choice. The catalog to be used in certifying the student’s graduation shall have been in effect no more than seven years prior to the time of graduation.

Program Requirements

To graduate, students must successfully complete all courses listed for a given curriculum. Any course substitutions must have the prior written approval of the division dean responsible for the curriculum. (Course substitution forms are available in the Office of Enrollment Services.) Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 for all courses required in the curriculum for graduation.

Some academic programs may require students to take part in exit interviews, to complete surveys, to take licensure exams, to prepare portfolios, or to complete some other activity to demonstrate the acquisition of programs.

Application for Graduation

Students must apply online for graduation via www.tncc.edu, MyTNCC or https://tncc.my.vccs.edu/jsp/home.jsp by the deadline date: Summer Semester - June 1, Fall Semester - October 1, Spring Semester - March 1. Annual graduation ceremonies are held in May.

Associate Degree Requirements

To be eligible for graduation with an associate’s degree from the College, a student must have:

• Met graduation requirements as described in the catalog of record. A student must have successfully completed all requirements listed in the catalog of record. Substitutions must be approved by the division dean.
• Been recommended for graduation by the appropriate instructional authority in his or her curriculum.
• Completed all course and credit-hour requirements applicable to an associate degree. At least 25% of credit semester hours must be acquired at the college.
• Met the general education competency requirements.
• Earned a grade point average of at least 2.0 on all coursework applicable toward graduation in his or her particular curriculum.
• Participated in additional activities of the academic program as required. Some academic programs may choose to require students to take part in exit interviews, to complete surveys, to take license exams, to prepare portfolios.
• Applied online for graduation via www.tncc.edu, MyTNCC or https://tncc.my.vccs.edu/jsp/home.jsp by the required deadline.
• Resolved all financial obligations to the college and returned all materials, including library books.

Certificate Requirements

To be eligible for graduation with a certificate from the College, a student must have:

• Met graduation requirements as described in the catalog of record. Substitutions must be approved by the division dean.
• Been recommended for graduation by the appropriate instructional authority.
• Fulfilled all of the course and credit hour requirements of the certificate curriculum as specified in the college catalog of record, with a minimum of 25% of the credits acquired at the college.
• Earned a grade point average of at least 2.0 on all coursework applicable toward graduation in his or her particular curriculum.
• Participated in additional activities of the academic program as required.
• Applied online for graduation via www.tncc.edu, MyTNCC or https://tncc.my.vccs.edu/jsp/home.jsp by the required deadline.
• Resolved all financial obligations to the college and returned all materials, including library books.

Career Studies Certificate Requirements

To be eligible for graduation with a career studies certificate from the College, a student must have:

• Met program requirements as described in the catalog of record. A student must have completed all requirements listed in the catalog of record.
• Been recommended to receive the career studies certificate by the appropriate instructional authority.
• Fulfilled all course and credit hours required of the career studies certificate as specified in the college catalog of record with a minimum of 25% of the credits acquired at the college.
• Earned a grade point average of at least 2.0 on all coursework attempted or applicable toward graduation in his or her particular curriculum.
• Filed an application for graduation in the Office of Enrollment Services at the Hampton campus or at the Historic Triangle campus by the required deadline.
• Resolved all financial obligations to the college and returned all materials, including library books.

Second Degree or Certificate

In awarding students an additional certificate or degree, the college may grant credit for all previously completed applicable courses that are requirements of the additional certificate or degree. However, the awards must differ from one another by at least 25% of the credits required in the curricula.

Graduation Honors

Students who have attended Thomas Nelson Community College for a minimum of 25% of the total credits acquired and who have fulfilled the requirements of degree or certificate programs (with the exception of career studies certificates) are eligible for graduation honors. Appropriate honors based upon cumulative scholastic achievement are recorded on the student’s permanent record as follows:

3.2 Grade Point Average: cum laude (with honor)

3.5 Grade Point Average: magna cum laude (with high honor)

3.8 Grade Point Average: summa cum laude (with highest honor)

President’s Award and Vice President’s Award

The President’s and the Vice President’s Awards are presented at the commencement ceremony each spring to a student who has excelled academically (earning a 3.9 GPA), contributed time and talents on campus and off campus, and who has been recommended by a faculty member. The selection process begins the fall of each year and the selection is made in the spring semester. The award recipients represent the highest standards of academic achievement and social responsiveness within the graduating class. The President’s Award recipient will receive a certificate and $1000. The Vice President’s Award recipient will receive a certificate and $500. All students who have 60 or more credits earned at Thomas Nelson with no repeated courses and no course substitutions, who have earned a 3.9 Grade Point Average (GPA), and receive an associate degree in the current academic year (summer, fall, or spring) will be invited to apply for the award. Students are required to complete an application, submit a letter of recommendation from one faculty member, and write a 500-word essay on their experience at Thomas Nelson. The complete application packet must be submitted to the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs. The Selection Panel, composed of representatives from across the College and led by the Vice President of Student Affairs, will evaluate the applications based on a rubric. Semi-finalists will be invited to participate in a luncheon with the President, Vice President of Student Affairs, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and academic Deans in April. Finalists will also be given a certificate of achievement at the Student Awards Ceremony.

Academic Standing

The College keeps students informed of their academic standing by placing appropriate statements on their Grade Reports when they are academically deficient and when they have regained acceptable academic standing. Students are expected to maintain a 2.0 (C) grade point average and make normal academic progress toward graduation.

President’s Honor Roll

Students who have accumulated 24 grade point credit hours or more at Thomas Nelson Community College and whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 3.8 or above will be placed on the College President’s Honor Roll.

Vice President’s List

Students who earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above without any “F” or “U” grades during a semester in which they completed 12 or more grade point credit hours will be placed on the Vice President’s List.

Merit List

Students who enroll for fewer than 12 grade point credits during a semester and earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or above without any “F” or “U” grades will be placed on the Merit List.

Good Academic Standing

Students are considered to be “in good academic standing” if they maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 per semester, are eligible to re-enroll at the college, and are not on academic suspension or dismissal status.

Academic Warning

Students will be placed on academic warning when their semester grade point average is less than 2.0. The statement “Academic Warning” will appear on the student’s permanent record. Students on academic warning are encouraged to consult with their advisor/counselor and take advantage of academic support services provided by the College. Please see the Educational Services section of this catalog.

Academic Probation

Students will be placed on academic probation when they have attempted twelve or more credit hours and their cumulative grade point average is less than 1.5.

The statement “Academic Probation” will appear on the student’s permanent record until their cumulative average is 1.75 or better. While on probation, the student is encouraged to see a counselor before registering to ensure academic success. While a grade point average between 1.75 and 1.99 may not result in formal academic probation, the student must earn a minimum of 2.0 in his/her curriculum to receive an associate’s degree, certificate, or career studies certificate. Students placed on academic probation are ineligible for appointive or elective office in student organizations unless special permission is granted by the Dean of Enrollment Management or an appointed designee.

Academic Suspension

Students will be placed on academic suspension when they have attempted 24 or more credit hours, their current status is academic probation, and their semester grade point average is less than 1.5.

The statement “Academic Suspension” will appear on the student’s permanent record. Academic suspension is usually imposed for a minimum of one semester (not including Summer). Once the student is informed (in writing or verbally), he or she can submit an Application for Admission or Readmission after Academic Suspension or Dismissal.

Applications are available in the Office of Enrollment Services, Hampton, and Student Services Office, Historic Triangle. Students must follow the directions outlined on the application. The student is notified in writing of his or her enrollment eligibility for the semester requested. The student may be required to enroll in SDV 100  or ENG 109 - Study Skills . Any student who is not satisfied with the enrollment eligibility may request a review by the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Following the student’s reinstatement after academic suspension, the student must earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average for the semester in which he/she enrolls. The student must maintain a minimum 1.75 grade point average for each subsequent semester. The statement “Subject to Dismissal” shall be placed on the student’s permanent record. Students who have been reinstated from academic suspension will remain subject to dismissal until the cumulative grade point average is raised to a minimum of 1.75. However, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required to graduate. Failure to attain a 1.75 GPA in each subsequent semester will result in academic dismissal.

Academic Dismissal

Students readmitted following academic suspension who do not meet the minimum grade point average requirements as described above will be academically dismissed.

The statement “Academic Dismissal” will appear on the student’s permanent record. Academic dismissal is usually permanent, unless with good cause, the student has applied and received approval from the Dean of Student Success and Retention (Hampton Campus) or Dean of Student Services (Historic Triangle Campus).

Once the student is informed (in writing or verbally) of dismissal, he or she can submit an Application for Admission or Readmission after Academic Suspension or Dismissal. Applications are available in the Office of Enrollment Services, Hampton, and Student Services Office, Historic Triangle. Students must follow the directions outlined on the application.

The student is notified in writing on his or her enrollment eligibility for the semester requested. The student may be required to enroll in a SDV 100  course or ENG 109 - Study Skills . Any student who is not satisfied with the enrollment eligibility may request a review by the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Students readmitted following academic dismissal must follow the same requirements for continued enrollment as those readmitted following academic suspension.

Academic Suspension or Dismissal from Another Institution

Students who were placed on Academic Dismissal or Academic Suspension at their previous institution and are seeking to attend Thomas Nelson Community College must follow the policies outlined above.

Academic Renewal Policy

Enrolled students who have returned to the college after a separation of five years or more and who have completed 12 or more grade point credit hours with a minimum 2.5 grade point average may petition for academic renewal. A 2.5 GPA must be achieved based upon a calculation of all courses and attempts within the qualifying period of re-enrollment. The Academic Renewal Petition form must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services.

If a student is determined to be eligible for academic renewal, “D” and “F” grades earned prior to re-enrollment will be deleted from the cumulative and curricular grade point average (GPA), subject to the following conditions:

• Prior to petitioning for academic renewal, the student must demonstrate a renewed academic interest and effort by earning at least a 2.5 GPA in the first 12 grade point credit hours completed after re-enrollment.
• All grades earned at the College remain a part of the student’s official transcript.
• Students will receive degree credit only for courses in which grades of “C” or better were earned prior to academic renewal, providing that such courses meet current curriculum requirements.
• Academic renewal may be granted only once and cannot be revoked once approved.
• Academic renewal may affect financial aid or leadership eligibility. These issues should be explored before the student petitions for academic renewal.