Oct 09, 2024  
2010-2011 Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College Regulations



College Regulations

Attendance-Withdrawal Policy

Attendance

Attendance in class is a key factor of success in college. The following procedure applies to regular academic, technical and career credit programs, including Distance Learning online courses. It does not apply to non-credit or continuing education activities. Some programs in nursing and allied health, career fields or non-credit programs require more stringent attendance policies which will be followed and will be stated in the departmental regulations for the program of study.

Attendance will be recorded beginning the first day of the course or the first day the student registers for the course. The student is responsible for all work in the course. Students must attend 80% of the meetings for each course in order to receive credit for a course. For Distance Learning courses, students must participate in a minimum of 80% of the activities assigned by the instructor in order to receive credit for the course. (See Notice of Absence Procedure below.) Class enrollment status may not be challenged beyond twelve (12) months from the date that the class ended.

Tardies

Failure to report to class at the beginning of the class period equals a tardy. Three tardies equal one absence. Students who miss more than fifteen (15) minutes of a class will be marked absent. A student who leaves the classroom without the instructor’s permission will be marked absent.

Excused Absences

HCC recognizes two types of excused absences: those for personal emergencies, and those for official school activities. The student is allowed to make up the work for excused absences.

Student absences may be excused by the instructor for personal emergencies such as illness, or death in the student’s immediate family, or other valid unavoidable circumstances. It is the responsibility of the student to inform all instructors when absences are due to personal emergency. Instructors may require written documentation, such as verification of illness on a physician’s letterhead.

Official absences are those resulting from student participation in important activities officially sponsored by the College. Students will be provided with an Official Absence Notice by the proper College official. It is the responsibility of the student to show the instructor the Verification of Official Absence form or letter. A student will be allowed to make up the class or laboratory work that was missed during an official absence.

Unexcused Absences

All absences not due to personal emergency or official school activities are unexcused. Students who are absent from a final exam without the approval of the instructor will receive a course grade of “F”.

Excessive Unexcused Absences

NOTICE OF ABSENCES must be sent when the student has accumulated excessive unexcused absences as defined below. All Excessive Absence Notices (traditional classes, online classes and college life/study hall classes) will be sent to the student by e-mail. Students taking credit courses are issued a College e-mail account upon his/her first registration for classes. It is the student’s responsibility to activate this account within three (3) days of registration or by the first day of classes and to check this account at least three (3) times per week. Excessive unexcused absences are defined as follows:

  1. Fall and spring semesters - day or evening class, after the number of times that the class meets in one week plus one, based on a full semester length course.
  2. Distance Learning courses during any term - when the student has three (3) missed or late assignments.
  3. Four (4) week term - after two (2) days.
    Eight (8) week term - after four (4) days.
  4. Summer session - evening class, after the number of times that class meets in one week.
  5. Career Block - three (3) days of absences.

Notice of Absence Procedure

The primary method by which the College communicates with its credit students concerning attendance is the students’ Go.Hinds email accounts. All credit students are responsible for activating their College email account within three (3) days of registering for classes for the first time and for checking it frequently (at least three times each week).

All instructors will take roll at each class meeting and will maintain an attendance record for each student. Attendance will be recorded beginning the first day of the class or the first day the student registers for the class, whichever is later. All Instructors will make certain that each student is aware of all College policies and procedures concerning attendance, excessive absence notification, and withdrawal and will stress the student’s responsibility for reading all related requirements in the College Catalog and the Student Handbook.

  • A FIRST WARNING NOTICE may be sent to the student by the instructor when the student has the following number of absences:
    1. Face-to-face Academic and Technical classes (all terms)
      The equivalent of the number of times the class meets each week based on a full-length fall or spring term (15 weeks). For full-length fall and spring terms, this will be (for example) three (3) MWF classes, two (2) MW or TR classes, and one (1) Monday-only class. For classes which meet for less than 15 weeks, the First Warning Notice may be sent when the student has missed the equivalent of 1/15 of the total time the class is scheduled to meet. For four-week summer day classes and eight-week summer evening classes, this will be one class meeting.
    2. Career Block - two (2) days absence.

Note: More restrictive attendance requirements may apply to specific courses and/or departments - See College Catalog.

  • A NOTICE OFABSENCE must be sent to the student by the instructor when the student has twice the number of absences listed above in items 1 and 2. For face-to-face academic and technical classes, this is 2/15 of the total time the class is scheduled to meet for the entire term. For full-length fall and spring classes, this is six (6) MWF classes, four (4) MW and TR classes, etc. This “twice the number” criteria also applies to Career Block classes.
  • A NOTICE OFABSENCE must be sent to a student in an on-line class who has three (3) missed or late assignments.

The First Warning Notice and the Notice of Absence require the student to contact the instructor immediately to discuss the following options:

 
  1. Return to the class.
  2. Withdraw from the class with a ‘W’ during the withdrawal period if all fees are paid.
  3. Withdraw from all classes on dates listed in the College Calendar if all fees are paid (See counselor in Counseling Office).
  4. Be dropped from class with a grade of ‘F.’

If the student fails to contact the instructor within the number of calendar days* specified below of the send date of the notice, he/she may be dropped from class with a grade of ‘F.’

 
  1. Fall and Spring full-term classes - seven (7) calendar days.
  2. Distance Learning Classes - seven (7) calendar days or the last day to withdraw, whichever comes first.
  3. Summer session four week classes - three (3) calendar days.
  4. Eight-week classes (all terms, day and evening) - four (4) calendar days.

The Admissions Office will notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs of the assigned ‘F’ and the last date of attendance for any student receiving Financial Aid or Veterans Benefits and who has earned an ‘F’ for excessive absences.

Notes:

  1. Withdrawal from a class or from school is permitted only during specific time periods during a term. See the calendar .
  2. * “Calendar days” do not include school holidays but do include normal two-day weekends.

Appeals

The student, after consulting with the instructor, may file an appeal with the appropriate Department Chairperson, and Academic, Career-Technical, or Distance Learning Dean. The instructor, chairperson and dean will review the appeal and respond to the student. The final level of appeal may be made in writing through the Dean of Students/Location Dean for review by the Local Student Affairs Committee.

No Show Policy

No Shows in a class are students who attend no more than one class meeting of a section for which they are registered—even though they may be attending one or more other sections for which they are enrolled. In the case of required co-requisite courses, a student cannot be dropped as a No Show in one course and continue to be enrolled in the complementary co-requisite course. No-shows for online courses are determined by two criteria: a student who has never logged in to the course in the course management system and has not communicated with the instructor; or a student who has logged in to the course but has not completed the “check in” assignment and has not communicated with the instructor.

Single Course Withdrawal

(withdrawing from one or more classes but not from all classes)

Before considering withdrawing from a class or classes, a student should be aware of the following information:

  1. Students on Financial Aid, Veterans Benefits, Scholarships or GSL Loans should note that dropping a class or classes may lower or stop benefits or cause repayment to be due immediately.
  2. To live in a residence hall, students must maintain full-time enrollment which is twelve (12) semester hours or more during the fall and spring. During the summer the requirement is three (3) semester hours per summer term..
  3. Any student withdrawing from either a lecture or laboratory science course must withdraw from both at the same time except during the last week of the withdrawal period (with the exception of the BIO courses).

Classes which are dropped during the Drop and Add period are considered schedule changes and do not appear on the student’s record. The student initiates withdrawal from one or more MSVCC classes (but not from school) in the Admissions Office. If the student has not been dropped previously with an ‘F’ for excessive absences, the student will be given the withdrawal form to complete and take to the Distance Learning Office.  Students wishing to withdraw from one or more Traditional classes (but not from school), may use the Register and Drop Sections screen in their my.hinds account. See Single Course Withdrawal Instructions  The periods during which a student may withdraw from a class and the grade assigned are indicated below (See the College Catalog Calendar  for exact dates).

  1. Fall and Spring day and evening classes (full-term)
    A student’s record of performance begins with the second week of classes. After the drop-add period, a student cannot withdraw from a class until the beginning of the eighth week except by withdrawing from school. A student may withdraw from a class beginning with the eighth week through seven (7) calendar days before the first day of the final exam period. The First Warning Notice and the Notice of Absence may be sent until ten (10) calendar days before the start of the final exam schedule. The Drop for Excessive Absences Notice may be processed until three (3) calendar days before the start of the final exam schedule. See note below.
  2. Distance Learning classes - all terms
    A student’s record of performance begins the first day of the class or the first day the student registers for the class whichever is later. Students may begin to withdraw from online classes beginning the day after drop/add period until the last day to withdraw as indicated on the MSVCC calendar. Notices of excessive absences are emailed to the student’s college-provided account up to seven (7) days prior to the last day to withdraw. See note below.
  3. Summer session four week classes
    A student’s record of performance begins with the third scheduled class meeting. After the two-day drop/add period, a student cannot withdraw from a class until the 12th class meeting except by withdrawing from school. A student may withdraw from a class beginning with the twelfth class meeting and until three calendar days before the final exam day. The First Warning Notice and the Notice of Absence may be sent until six (6) calendar days before the final exam day. The Drop for Excessive Absences Notice may be processed until three (3) calendar days before the final exam day. See note below.
  4. Eight-week classes (all terms, day and evening)
    A student’s record of performance begins with the third scheduled class meeting. After the drop-add period, a student cannot withdraw from a class until the start of the fifth week of the term except by withdrawing from school. A student may withdraw from a class beginning with the fifth week until three (3) calendar days before the start of the final exam schedule. The First Warning Notice and the Notice of Absence may be sent until seven (7) calendar days before the start of the final exam schedule. The Drop for Excessive Absences notice may be processed until three (3) calendar days before the start of the final exam schedule. See note below.

NOTE: If a Drop for Excessive Absences has been initiated by the instructor prior to the student’s request for withdrawal, a grade of ‘F’ will be assigned; otherwise, a grade of ‘W’ will be assigned when the withdrawal process is completed.

Withdrawal from College

Prior to the start of a term, students wishing to officially withdraw will not be liable for fees (other than nonrefundable fees).  Students who have paid tuition can use their my.hinds account to remove themselves from all classes.  For instructions visit www.hindscc.edu/online .

To withdraw from the College at any time prior to five (5) working days before the first day of final exams for day/evening classes during a regular semester (three [3] days during the summer), a student must contact a counselor who will initiate the withdrawal. Students in Distance Learning courses must contact a counselor to initiate the withdrawal by the date designated on the MSVCC calendar. The grade at the time of withdrawal from the College will be “W” in all classes in which the student has not been dropped with an “F” for excessive absences. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and return the Withdrawal Form to the Counseling Office within twenty-four (24) hours.

College Credit by Examination

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP): www.collegeboard.com

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) enables students to earn college credit-by-examination. The Counseling Department on the Raymond Campus administers the CLEP program. By successfully completing CLEP Subject tests, students may receive credit for college-level knowledge that they already possess. A listing of the courses for which HCC will award credit is printed below, although HCC administers all 35 CLEP subject examinations upon request.

A maximum of 18 hours of CLEP subject examination credit will be accepted by Hinds Community College, and scores must be at or above 50. A student must earn at least 12 hours of credit at Hinds Community College before CLEP credit may be recorded on his/her transcript. No grades are granted for CLEP credit, and credits granted by CLEP scores are not used in computing the students‘ grade point average.

In order to receive credit at Hinds Community College for CLEP exams given at other institutions, an official score report from the College Board must be on file with the HCC District Office of Admissions and Records.

CLEP credit is not accepted at all colleges and universities, so students desiring to take any CLEP subject area examination for transfer credit should consult with the transfer college before sitting for the examination. Students desiring to sit for a CLEP examination should contact the Counseling Department on the Raymond Campus at (601) 857-3216. The cost of the CLEP test is $77.00 per test payable to CLEP by credit card. There is an additional $25.00 administrative fee that must be paid in the HCC Business Office.

A maximum of 6 hours may be earned from each group listed below (each class equals three credits).

GROUP 1 COMPOSITION AND LITERATURE (maximum 3 hr credit from ENG 1113  and choice of 3 hr credit from either ENG 2323  or ENG 2223 )
    English Composition I* ENG 1113 
    English Literature ENG 2323 
    American Literature ENG 2223 
  *(College Composition Modular exam with essay)  
 
GROUP 2 SCIENCE
    Biology I BIO 1113  
    Chemistry I CHE 1213 
 
GROUP 3 MATHEMATICS
    Calculus I MAT 1613 
    College Algebra MAT 1343 
    Pre-Calculus MAT 1313 
 
GROUP 4 HISTORY
    American Government PSC 1113     
    American History I HIS 2213 
    American History II HIS 2223 
    Western Civilization I HIS 1113 
    Western Civilization II HIS 1123 
 
GROUP 5 SOCIAL SCIENCE
    Sociology, Introduction SOC 2113 
    General Psychology I PSY 1513 
 
GROUP 6  BUSINESS
    Accounting I ACC 1213 
    Legal Environment of Business BAD 2413 
    Principles of Macroeconomics ECO 2113 
    Principles of Microeconomics ECO 2123 
 
GROUP 7 FOREIGN LANGUAGE
    Elementary Spanish I MFL 1213  
    Elementary French I MFL 1113 
    Elementary German I MFL 1313

Challenge Examination for Courses

(Challenge Exam Administered by HCC)

  1. A student may register for the challenged course by obtaining approval of the appropriate dean and paying the regular tuition cost. The student must register on or before the last day of open registration and meet the appropriate placement level to register for the course to be challenged.
  2. Credit granted by challenge exams will be used in computing the student‘s grade point average. The student will be assigned a grade of A, B, C, D, or F. The grade will be posted to the student‘s transcript after the grade is submitted to the District Registrar‘s office by the instructor who administered and graded the examination and has been signed by the appropriate dean. Following the student‘s completion of the challenge exam, the course can be used to meet graduation requirements.
  3. The student must meet the first week of class meetings for the class that is being challenged. The challenge exam will be given prior to the first class meeting of the second week of class. However, skill- based courses may delay the administration of the challenge exam until later in the semester with the approval of the appropriate dean. The challenge exam must be approved by the department chair or program head, administered by a full-time faculty member, and approved by the appropriate dean.

NOTE: Hinds Community College will use a maximum of thirty (30) semester hours of nontraditional credit to meet graduation requirements. Developmental courses are not subject to challenge for credit.

DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Testing) Program

The DSST Program is a nationally recognized testing program that gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. HCC serves as a testing site for the DSST program. All tests offered under the DANTES program are available to the student. At the current time, HCC does not award college credit for courses taken under the DSST program; however, many transfer colleges and universities do utilize such credit. Students wishing to take a DSST examination should contact their transfer school before sitting for the examination to determine if the credits earned by this method will transfer. To arrange a DSST examination, please contact the Counseling Department on the Raymond Campus at (601) 857.3467. The cost of a DSST test is $80.00 per test. There is an additional $25.00 administrative fee that must be paid in the HCC Business Office.

For more information about college listings or study guides for DSST, visit www.getcollegecredit.com.

Advanced Placement

Hinds Community College will award credit for scores of 3 or higher on the AP Examinations administered by the College Entrance Examination Board. This policy is subject to the following restrictions:

  1. A student must earn academic credit from this institution before credit earned through AP Examination will be recorded on his/her permanent record. The minimum residency requirement will be 12 semester hours.
  2. The total amount of credit awarded for all non-classroom experiences is limited to 30 semester hours.
  3. AP credit will be for specific Hinds Community College courses; however, the student will not receive a letter grade or quality points. AP credit will not be used to compute a student‘s quality point average, but will be counted in hours earned.
  4. AP credit will be awarded only in subject matter areas that are taught by Hinds Community College.
  5. In order to receive AP credit at Hinds Community College for exams given at other institutions, an official score report from the College Board must be on file with the HCC District Office of Admissions and Records.
AP EXAMINATION SCORE HOURS CREDIT RELATED COURSE

1. Biology

4 3

 

BIO 2414 or BIO 1133  
  5 6

 

BIO 2414 and BIO 1133 
         

2. Chemistry

3 3

 

CHE 1213  or CHE 1313 

  4 or 5 6

 

CHE 1213  and CHE 1223 

         

3. Computer Science

3 3

 

CSC 1113 
  4 or 5 6

 

CSC 1113  and first 3 hours of a programming language in which student obtained proficiency
         

4. English

3 3

 

ENG 1113 
  4 or 5 6

 

ENG 1113  and ENG 1123 

         

5. History

3 3

 

HIS 2213 

American

4 or 5 6

 

HIS 2213  and HIS 2223 

European

3 3

 

HIS 1113 
  4 or 5 6

 

HIS 1113  and  HIS 1123 

         

6. Mathematics

3, 4 or 5 3

     

MAT 1613 

AB Exam

3 3

 

MAT 1613 

BC Exam

4 or 5 6

 

MAT 1613  and MAT 1623 

         

7. Music

4 4

 

MUS 1213 
  5 8

 

MUS 1213  and MUS 1223 

         

8. Physics

3 4

 

PHY 2414 
  4 3

 

PHY 2313 
    or 8

 

PHY 2414  and PHY 2424 

  5 6

 

PHY 2313  and PHY 2323 

Career-Technical Advanced Placement

Advanced placement is currently available in Allied Health, Automotive Technology, Business and Marketing Management Technology, Business and Office Technology, Early Childhood Education Technology, Cooperative Education, Culinary Arts, Drafting, Electrical Technology, Electronics Technology, and Hotel and Restaurant Management programs. Students must meet the basic criteria as follows:

  1. Applicant for credit meets all college admissions requirements and is a registered student in good standing in one of Hinds Community College‘s career/technical programs.
  2. Applicant must have on file a completed Advanced Placement Application. Contact the Tech Prep Coordinator at 601.857.3473 to obtain an application.
  3. Applicant must pass an examination with an approved score that is administered by the post- secondary program‘s instructor.
  4. Applicant must complete 12 hours at Hinds Community College before advanced placement credit will be placed on permanent transcript.
  5. A high school graduate may request placement within 24 months of the date of applicant‘s graduation from high school.
  6. Applicant must be a student from one of the high schools located within the Hinds Community College district.

When all provisions have been met for approval of advanced placement credit, the examination score of A, B, or C will be posted on the student‘s Hinds Community College transcript for each approved course. There will be no charge for such credit.

Experiential Learning

Hinds Community College awards experiential learning credit in only the following areas: Licensed Journeypersons in electrical trades and plumbing/pipefitting, police academy training, military training, and certified professional secretary training. Please see the appropriate section below to view policies and procedures related to experiential learning credit.

Licensed Journeypersons in Electrical Trades

The Electrical Technology programs on the Raymond and Vicksburg Campuses give the journeypersons of the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation (MCEF) and the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (NJATC) the opportunity to apply their education and experience in a career specialty toward an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Electrical Technology. In addition to the six courses in the electrical construction field, students will complete the five core courses of general education requirements and receive credit toward the AAS degree for their prior education and experience.

To obtain the journeyperson status, the student must make application to Hinds Community College and show that he/she has passed a uniform national or regionally recognized standardized and validated examination. The examination must cover the minimum requirements of electrical construction, as well as knowledge of electrical principles accepted in the electrical construction industry. The examination must also test the ability to use, understand, and apply recognized technical and accepted engineering practices.

Upon obtaining the journeyperson status by successfully passing the electrical testing organization’s examinations, students seeking the AAS degree must submit an official license and transcript of education obtained through MCEF or NJATC and make application to enroll in the program. After successful completion of thirty-four semester hours of credit through Hinds Community College (I.), credit may be awarded for the courses listed below (II.). Students must complete a minimum of thirty-four semester hours at Hinds Community College in courses listed below (I.). Credit granted for journeyperson status is only applicable to the Associate in Applied Science degree program in Electrical Technology.

  1. Courses that must be completed by journeypersons or master electricians to receive the A.A.S. degree:

Technical:

  ELT 1283 - Estimating the Cost of a Residential Installation       3 SH  
  ELT 1413 - Motor Control Systems  3 SH  
  ELT 2424 - Solid State Motor Controls  4 SH  
  ELT 2613 - Programmable Logic Controllers  3 SH  
  ELT 2623 - PLC Advanced  3 SH  
  ELT 2913 - Special Project I  3 SH  
    19 SH  

General Education:

  ENG 1113 - English Composition I   3 SH  
  SPT 1113 - Public Speaking I  3 SH  
  Humanities/Fine Arts 3 SH  
  Mathematics/Science 3 SH  
  Social/Behavioral Science Elective 3 SH  
    15 SH  
       
    TOTAL 34 SH  
  1. Courses awarded after passing the journeyperson or master electrician examination:
  EET 1114 - DC Circuits           4 SH  
  EET 1123 - AC Circuits  3 SH  
  ELT 1193 - Fundamentals of Electricity  2 SH  
  ELT 1113 - Residential/Light Commercial Wiring  3 SH  
  ELT 1123 - Commercial and Industrial Wiring  3 SH  
  ELT 1213 - Electrical Power  3 SH  
  ELT 1253 - Branch Circuit and Service Entrance Calculations  3 SH  
  ELT 1263 - Blueprint Reading/Planning the Residential Installation  3 SH  
  ELT 1273 - Switching Circuits for Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Application  3 SH  
  ELT 2923 - Supervised Work Experience I  3 SH  
    TOTAL 30 SH  

Licensed Journeypersons in Plumbing and Pipefitting

The Plumbing and Construction Technology (PCT) program gives the journeypersons of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UAPP) and the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation (MCEF) the opportunity to apply their education and experience in a career specialty toward an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. In addition to five courses in the construction field, students will complete general education requirements and receive credit toward the AAS-PCT degree for their prior education and experience.

To obtain the Journeyman status, the student must make application and show that he/she has passed a uniform national or regionally recognized standardized, and validated, examination. The examination must cover the minimum requirements of plumbing and pipefitting, as well as knowledge of accepted plumbing and pipefitting principles, in the construction industry. The examination must also test the ability to use and understand recognized technical and accepted engineering practices.

Upon obtaining the Journeyman status by successfully passing the plumbing and/or pipefitting examinations, students seeking the AAS-PCT degree should submit an official license and transcript of education obtained through UAPP or MCEF and make application to enroll in the program. After completing 16 semester hours of credit through Hinds Community College, credit may be awarded for the courses listed below. Students must complete a minimum of 16 credit hours at Hinds Community College in classes approved by the Dean. Credit granted to journeypersons is only applicable to the AAS degree program.

Courses awarded after passing Journeyman Plumber examination:             

  PCT 1113 - Fundamentals of Plumbing/Pipefitting  3 SH  
  PCT 1513 - Drainage and Sewer Systems  3 SH  
  PCT 1612 - Heating Devices  2 SH  
  PCT 1712 - Domestic Piping  2 SH  
  PCT 1722 - Plumbing Fixtures  2 SH  
  PCT 1732 - Back Flow Cross Connection  2 SH  
  PCT 1213 - Tacking and Burning  3 SH  
  PCT 1313 - Blueprint Reading for the Piping Trades  3 SH  
  PCT 1323 - Sketching  3 SH  
  PCT 1411 - Low Pressure Boilers  1 SH  
  PCT 1443 - Piping Level/Transit  3 SH  
  PCT 1743 - Advanced Plumbing Lab  3 SH  

Courses awarded after passing Journeyman Gas Pipe Fitter examination:

  PCT 1612 - Heating Devices  2 SH  
  PCT 1622 - Gas Piping  2 SH  

Credit for Police Academy Training

Hinds Community College will award academic credit for completion of accredited Police Academy training. Students wishing to receive this credit must meet the following requirements:

  • Register and successfully complete a minimum of 12 transferable credit hours at Hinds Community College
  • Present to the Registrar‘s Office appropriate documentation of completion of such an academy. The academy completion date must not exceed three years from the date of registration for the Hinds credit course work.
  • Academic credit awarded through Hinds Community College will not exceed 12 credit hours. A review of the academy course work will be conducted in order to assign proper course credit.
  • Upon successfully completing 12 transferable hours at Hinds Community College, the student must submit a written request for credit to the Registrar‘s Office.

Credit for Military Training

Hinds Community College will award academic credit for completion of military training. Students wishing to receive this credit must meet the following requirements:

  • Register and successfully complete a minimum of 12 transferable credit hours at Hinds Community College
  • Submit a DD-214 or AARTS transcript to the Registrar‘s Office
  • Academic credit awarded through Hinds Community College will not exceed 30 credit hours. A grade of “P” will be assigned to this coursework credited through Hinds Community College.
  • Credit will be given for ACE evaluated credit in the Lower Division Baccalaureate/Associate Degree category only.

Certified Professional Secretary

Upon obtaining the Certified Professional Secretary rating and completing 12 hours of credit through Hinds Community College, credit may be awarded for all of the following courses that have not been previously completed or posted by transfer.

  ACC 1213 - Principles of Accounting I   3 SH  
  ACC 1223 - Principles of Accounting II  3 SH  
  BAD 2413 - Legal Environment of Business  3 SH  
  ECO 2113 - Principles of Macroeconomics  3 SH  
  BOT 1013 - Introduction to Keyboarding     3 SH  
  BOT 1113 - Document Formatting and Production  3 SH  
  BOT 2723 - Administrative Office Procedures  3 SH  
  BOT 2813 - Business Communication  3 SH  
  PSY 1513 - General Psychology I  3 SH  
    27 SH  

Degrees Offered

Associate in Arts Degree

Conferred on students who complete requirements for graduation in various arts and science programs, the pre-professional programs, and programs designed for transfer from Hinds Community College to senior colleges and universities.

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Conferred on students who complete requirements for graduation in the various two-year technical programs or any of the applied science fields offered at Hinds Community College.

Career Certificate or Technical Certificate

Awarded to students who satisfactorily complete requirements in the various technical and career programs at Hinds Community College.

Requirements for Graduation

An application for graduation ( http://www.hindscc.edu/Documents/Admissions/Application_for_Graduation.pdf ) must be submitted to the administrative office of any campus or the Office of Admissions and Records on the Raymond Campus no later than the fourth week of the semester the student plans to graduate. No degrees or certificates will be awarded until all degree requirements have been met, including the payment of all fees owed to the College. Developmental courses cannot be used as electives to meet graduation requirements. For a list of developmental courses, see Admissions  of this publication.

A student may graduate under the requirements of the published catalog for the current year or under the graduation requirements of the published catalog for the year the student entered Hinds Community College. Requirements, however, may not be divided between the two.

Graduation exercises are held in the fall, spring and summer semesters. A student may meet the requirements for graduation by complying with one of the following:

  1.  Select a specialized field of study and follow the curriculum which is outlined for it in this catalog, or
  2. Follow the General Program requirements for the Associate of Arts Degree , which are given in the “Academic Programs of Study ” section of this catalog, or
  3.  Comply with the catalog requirements of the first two years of the specified four-year accredited college or university to which the student will transfer. This transfer curriculum must calculate to 64 transferable hours. Fifteen of these transferable hours must be drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics. The courses selected should be survey courses rather than applied courses.
  4. Associate in Applied Science Degree, Career Certificate, and Technical Certificate students are required to take an Occupation-Specific Assessment as part of their program of study, unless a program of study requires a certification or licensure examination for professional practice.

If a student has met one of the above-mentioned criteria but is short six or fewer hours to graduate from Hinds, he or she may transfer up to six semester hours back to HCC from a regionally accredited institution in order to receive a Hinds degree.

A minimum quality point average of 2.0 is required in order to graduate. The 2.0 GPA may be calculated using either of the two following methods. Both of these calculations will only include courses completed at Hinds Community College:

  1. GPA of 2.0 calculated on all hours attempted
  2. GPA of 2.0 calculated on only those courses required for graduation

(See the “GRADES” section of these regulations for calculating grade or quality point average.)

Online Students:

Students taking online courses must meet the same graduation requirements as other students.

Physical Education Requirements -

Required On Two Campuses - Raymond and Utica

Students attending the Raymond and Utica Campuses are required to fulfill the physical education requirements under the Associate of Arts General Program of Study curriculum if they are graduating under that curriculum.

Transfer Students Planning to Graduate:

Courses and credit will be accepted up to 48 semester hours as they correspond to the curriculum of Hinds Community College, provided they are earned at a state or regionally accredited institution. All college transfer credits, military credits, etc., should be submitted via an official transcript in order to be considered towards a degree. To meet graduation requirements, a student must complete at least 25 percent of the semester hours at Hinds.

Developmental courses cannot be transferred into Hinds Community College to meet graduation requirements but may be used for placement purposes.

Grades

Mid-Semester and Final Grades

At mid-semester and at the end of the semester, the scholastic performance (grades) of students in each course is reported by the instructor. Mid-semester grades and semester grades are not mailed to the students. Grades and other information is provided to students via the College‘s website. The semester grade reports become a part of the student’s permanent record. Mid-semester grades are used only to inform students of their progress in class. However, in cases where a course is completed in the first half of the semester, the midsemester grade is a final grade and is recorded as such.

Final Examinations

All students are required to take examinations at the time designated on the final examination schedule. A student who is absent from a final exam and who has made no report of personal illness or other emergencies to an instructor will not be permitted to take the examination at a later date. A student who reports an emergency to an instructor before a scheduled examination will be given a grade of “I” (Incomplete). The incomplete work must be completed within six months or by the end of the succeeding fall or spring semester. Unless the (I) incomplete grade is changed to another letter grade by this time, the (I) incomplete grade will become permanent. Students who are absent from a final examination without the approval of the instructor will receive a course grade of “0” for the final exam.

Exemption from Final Examination

Sophomores who are actually taking a diploma at the end of the current semester are exempt from the final examination in any subject in which they have achieved an average grade of “B” or better through the last day of class prior to examination. Students should have applied by the graduation application deadline in order to be included on the “exempt list.”

NOTE: There are programs that require final examinations.

Grading System

Courses are graded according to the following system: Note: Some courses do not award a grade of D.

1. Used in Quality Point Average Computation

  Grade

Interpretation 

Quality Point Value Per Semester Hour
  A

Excellent

4

  B

Good

3

  C

Average

2

  D

Poor

1

  F

Failure

0

  I

Incomplete

0

       

2. Not used in Quality Point Average Computation

  AU

Audit

 
  IP

In Progress

 
  W

Withdrawal from Course

 
  NC

No credit (when lab grades are included with lecture)

Continuing Education Units (CEU) are awarded for some courses. These courses are generally graded according to the following system:

  Grade

Interpretation

Credit

  P

Pass

1 CEU per 10 clock hours

  W

Withdrawal from course

 
  F

Failure

 

NOTE: A Continuing Education Unit is defined as “ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education adult or extension experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.” The CEU is used as a basic unit of measurement for an individual student’s participation in an educational activity which does not award semester hour credit. Continuing Education Unit credit cannot be converted to semester hour credit and is not used to determine a student’s quality point average.

Withholding of Grades

Normally, final grades for academic, technical and career students are not mailed at the end of each semester. Grades and other information are provided to students via the College‘s website. However, grades may be withheld by the College for the following reasons: unpaid fees or fines, unreturned library books or audiovisual materials, incomplete admission records, or disciplinary actions.

“I” Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade (I) is assigned if, due to personal illness or other emergencies, a student is unable to complete required course work by the end of the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor and to arrange a method of completing course requirements within six months or by the end of the semester immediately following the semester in which the incomplete grade (I) was received, excluding summer sessions. Unless the (I) incomplete grade is changed to another letter grade by this time, the (I) incomplete grade will become permanent.

Note that an (I) incomplete grade and a (F) failing grade have the same effect on a student’s quality point average. A student may appeal a grade for just cause no later than mid-semester of the succeeding fall or spring semester after the grade was earned.

Auditing a Course

A student who wishes to take a credit course for no credit must at the time of registration, register for the course as an audit, complete the audit form and pay the regular fee.

The audit student will receive no credit, no quality points, and may not change the course from audit back to credit. The student may, in succeeding semesters, take for credit any course previously audited. Audit courses will be reflected on the student’s permanent record as “AU” (Audit).

Auditing a course should not be confused with repeating a course to raise a grade.

Semester Credit Hour

A semester credit hour is the unit of credit earned over one semester, or the equivalent, for the work associated with one class hour per week of lecture or recitation (a minimum of 750 minutes per semester). A minimum of two hours per week over the same period is required for laboratory classes (a minimum of 1650 minutes per semester). Clinical rotations and supervised work experience require a minimum of three hours per week over the period of one semester or the equivalent (a minimum of 2,250 minutes per semester).

Classification of Students Who Receive Credit

Classification of students who receive credit at Hinds Community College is as follows:

Freshman -  a student who has earned fewer than 27 semester hours of college credit.
Sophomore -  a student who has earned 27 or more semester hours of college credit.
Full-time student -  a student who is enrolled in 12 or more semester hours in a given semester or a pro rata share thereof for less than semester length courses.
Part-time student - a student who is enrolled in less than 12 semester hours in a given semester or a pro rata share thereof for less than semester length courses.

Quality Point Average (Grade Point Average)

A quality point average is determined by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total semester hours attempted. For example:

ENG 1113 

3 Sem. Hr. Credit Grade A (4 points) = 12

MAT 1313 

3 Sem. Hr. Credit Grade B (3 points) = 9

HIS 1113 

3 Sem. Hr. Credit Grade C (2 points) = 6

BIO 2513 

3 Sem. Hr. Credit Grade B (3 points) = 9

BIO 2511 

1 Sem. Hr. Credit Grade B (3 points) = 3

HPR 1111 

1 Sem. Hr. Credit Grade B (3 points) = 3
Semester Hours Attempted = 14 Total Quality Points = 42

Divide 42 quality points by 14 semester hours attempted = 3.0 quality point average.

Honor Graduates

Students graduating from Hinds Community College with a quality point average of 4.0 are graduated Summa Cum Laude. Students graduating with a quality point average of 3.60 - 3.99 are graduated Magna Cum Laude. Students graduating with a quality point average of 3.20 - 3.59 are graduated Cum Laude. The quality point average is determined by dividing the total number of quality points by the total semester hours of work attempted.

Honors, Scholars, Distinctions and Awards

Three E-Awards for Emphasis on Excellence and Enrichment are given during the school year. Sophomores selected to Who‘s Who Among Students in Community and Junior Colleges are honored at a ceremony held in the fall semester.  The Distinguished Student is selected from the Who’s Who recipients and is honored by the College and the Mississippi Legislature. 

Awards Day is held in the spring semester for the purpose of presenting various awards (certificates, medals, ribbons, trophies, etc.) to students for outstanding achievements and/or accomplishments in all areas of college life. Departments may award the distinction of Outstanding Student in a major or subject area.

A Dean’s List Scholar is a student who has maintained an overall 3.50 - 3.99 quality point average with an accumulation of twelve or more semester hours and has a 2.00 minimum term quality point average for the semester immediately preceding OR who has earned a 3.50-3.99 quality point average on twelve or more semester hours for the semester immediately preceding with a minimum 2.0 overall quality point average.

A President’s List Scholar is a student who has maintained an overall 4.0 quality point average with an accumulation of twelve or more semester hours and has a 2.00 minimum term quality point average for the semester immediately preceding OR who has earned a 4.0 quality point average on twelve or more semester hours for the semester immediately preceding with a minimum 2.00 overall quality point average.

Deans’ and President’s List Scholars are recognized at a ceremony in the spring for their fall semester grade accomplishments. Deans’ and President’s List Scholars receive a letter during the summer noting the spring semester grade accomplishments. The Dean’s and President’s List distinction is posted on the student’s transcript in the fall and spring.  The programs, sponsored by the College President and student services employees from all campuses, are held in the spring semester and are coordinated through the District Dean of Students Office and the Honors Center.

Summer School

Hinds Community College operates day classes in two four-week sessions and evening classes in one eight week summer session. A student’s course load may not be above twelve hours during the summer sessions without the approval of the campus instructional dean.

Repeating a Course

A student may repeat a course already completed and in which credit has been earned (with the exception of Developmental courses) in order to better his or her grade point average A grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total semester hours attempted. In computing scholastic averages in these cases, all semester hour attempts will be included and shown on the transcript.

To raise a grade point average at Hinds Community College, the course must be repeated at Hinds. When a student transfers to another institution, the policy of the receiving institution will determine the student’s grade point average.

Semester Hours Total

The usual total number of semester hours taken by a student in good standing during a regular semester is 15 to 19. The maximum number of semester hours a student on scholastic probation can take is 13. A student enrolled in less than 12 semester hours in a fall or spring semester is classified as a part-time student.

Career students may take additional course work beyond their regular program provided the career adviser approves.

It is recommended that students who are engaged in outside employment in addition to attending Hinds Community College, give careful consideration to taking a reduced number of hours.

Transcripts

Students who have met all admission requirements and business office obligations and have completed a semester at Hinds Community College are eligible to request a transcript. Transcript requests must be in writing and must include the student‘s signature and the student‘s ID number or Social Security number.

Scholastic Probation and Suspension

Fall and Spring

Transitional Students: (See the Transitional Student  section of this Catalog.) Transitional Students are those who are admitted to the College on Scholastic Probation.

A Transitional Student who fails to earn seven (7) or more semester hours with a term GPA of 2.0 or greater (including those who completely withdraw from all classes), will be placed on Scholastic Suspension. Scholastically suspended Transitional Students will remain on Probation when they are eligible to return to Hinds.

A Transitional Student who earns a term GPA of 2.0 or higher on seven (7) or more semester hours, will have his/her standing become Good at the end of that term.

Non-Transitional Students:

If a student who is in Good Scholastic Standing at the beginning of a fall or spring term earns a term GPA of less than 1.75, his/her scholastic standing will become Probation at the end of that term.

If a student whose scholastic standing is Probation at the beginning of a fall or spring term earns a term GPA less than a 1.75, his/her standing will become Suspension at the end of that term provided his/her overall GPA is also less than 2.00 at the end of that term; otherwise, his/her scholastic standing will remain Probation.

If a student whose scholastic standing is Probation at the beginning of a fall or spring term earns a term GPA of 1.75 or higher, his/her standing will become Good at the end of that term, provided his/her overall GPA is also 2.0 or higher at the end of that term; otherwise, his/her scholastic standing will remain Probation.

Transfer students who were academically dismissed from the last school they attended, have sat out the required number of semesters and are eligible for immediate readmission, may be admitted to HCC on Scholastic Probation. Transfer students who were placed on Scholastic Probation after their last semester will be admitted to HCC on Scholastic Probation.

Summer

Summer work at Hinds cannot lower scholastic standing; however, it can raise scholastic standing from Suspension to Probation provided a student earns six (6) or more semester hours of credit during a summer term and earns a term GPA of 2.00 or higher. This work must be taken at Hinds Community College.

If a student whose scholastic standing is Probation at the beginning of the summer term earns a summer term GPA of 2.0 or higher (including all courses taken in all summer terms) on a minimum of 6 hours, his/her standing will become Good at the end of the summer term, provided his/her overall GPA is also 2.0 or higher at the end of that term; otherwise, his/her scholastic standing will remain Probation. This work must be taken at Hinds Community College.

Requirements

An academic or technical student who is on probation must enroll in LLS 1413 , unless he/she has previous credit in this course. A student who is prescribed and enrolled in a developmental reading course or who is enrolled in fewer than seven (7) semester hours is not required to enroll in LLS 1413 . Also, a non-transitional student on Probation may not enroll in more than (16) semester hours during a fall or spring term (including LLS 1413 ; 13 semester hours if exempt from LLS 1413 ).

If Suspension occurs at the end of a fall semester, the student cannot enroll again until the next summer term. If Suspension occurs at the end of a spring term, the student may enroll immediately at Hinds for the next summer term. If the conditions outlined under “SUMMER” above are satisfied, the scholastic standing will revert to probation. If these conditions are not satisfied, the suspended student cannot enroll for the upcoming fall semester. A suspended student who does not enroll for one or more fall or spring semesters will be eligible for readmission on Probation.

Scholastic Appeals

Appeals for permission to continue in school when facing scholastic suspension must be made in writing to the local Student Affairs Committee. The forms are available at the Dean of Students‘ Office/operating Dean‘s office. Each appeal will be considered on its own merits. Scholastic appeals have a six month statute of limitation. Appeals must be filed within six months of the end of the semester during which the Suspension occurred.

Emergency Procedures

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF THE HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT ARE LISTED IN THE STUDENT HANDBOOK.

TITLE II OF PUBLIC LAW 101-542 - Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 CRIME AWARENESS AND CAMPUS SECURITY STATEMENT

Crime-Emergency Reporting Policy

Current Hinds Community College District Policy requires that members of the college community report all criminal actions and other emergencies to the Campus Police/Security Department.

Campus Police/Security Response to Emergencies

The Campus Police/Security Department or location Dean’s Office will initiate an immediate response to any reported emergency. If circumstances require expertise or assistance beyond the Campus Police/Security’s abilities, the Campus Police/Security or location Dean’s Office will immediately notify and request assistance from local law enforcement or other emergency services via telephone or radio.

Campus Security

Campus Security is provided by a College-employed staff of Campus Police and Campus Security officers supplemented with contract security officers.

Further Information

A full publication has been given to students and employees to meet the requirements of this federal law since September 1, 1993 concerning crime report data and drug/alcohol information. Beginning in 2000, these documents have been available on the Hinds website. Beginning in fall 2009, an email announcement with links to the “It‘s Your Right to Know-Clery Crime Report-Emergency Information” and “Drug/Alcohol Information: Penalties, Symptoms, Laws, Consequences and Assistance” is sent to students and employees.