Academic Information
Student Classification
Students who have completed 29 semester hours or fewer will be classified as freshmen. Students with 30 or more semester hours will be classified as sophomores.
Students will be classified as full-time if they are enrolled in 12 or more semester hours. Students enrolled in fewer than 12 hours will be classified as part-time.
Class Attendance
Studies have shown that students benefit from attending classes by getting better grades. Accordingly, student attendance at every class is strongly encouraged and when an absence is unavoidable a student should consult with his or her instructor. Each instructor will provide specific details of their course policy regarding student attendance and absences in their syllabus.
Studies have also shown that, with rare exceptions, when a student misses 20% or more of scheduled class time, their grades will decline significantly. Accordingly, a student whose absences approach or exceed 20% of scheduled class time should immediately review his or her standing in the class with the instructor and determine whether to continue in the class or withdraw. If a student decides to withdraw from a class, he or she must comply with the deadlines published in the college’s calendar.
Students enrolled in developmental courses in English, mathematics and reading because of scores on the TSIA should understand that attendance in those classes is mandatory under state law.
Religious Holy Day
A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence if, no later than the 15th day after the first day of the semester, the student notified the instructor of each class scheduled on the date that the student would be absent for a religious holy day.
A “religious holy day” means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Section 11.20, Tax Code. The notice shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally by the student to the instructor of each class, with receipt of the notice acknowledged and dated by the instructor, or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the instructor of each class.
A student who is excused under this section may not be penalized for the absence, but the instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination.
Class Load
The normal class load that full-time students may carry during a regular semester will vary with the particular courses for which they have enrolled. Students are classified as full-time when they are enrolled in 12 or more semester hours, but students will normally enroll in 15 to 18 hours each semester as outlined in their course of study. Students are not permitted to enroll for more than 18 semester hours without authorization from his/her Student Success Coach and the Academic Dean.
A normal load during each term of the summer session will vary from three to seven semester hours. Generally, the maximum credit that a student may earn during the entire summer sessions is 14 semester hours. In the Maymester or midwinter sessions, one course may be taken for the normal amount of credit earned for one course during a regular semester.
Students who are employed while attending classes or who have experienced difficulty previously in academic work should plan course loads in such a way that ample time can be given to all these demands. Usually, three hours of preparation time are needed for each hour of classroom time. Therefore, an average student should plan on investing nine hours of preparation time outside of class each week for each three-hour course taken. Students are encouraged to consult a college Student Success Coach or faculty advisor to determine the best program possible.
Credit Hour
In accord with federal and state regulations, a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates:
- Not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time, or
- At least an equivalent amount of work as required outlined in item 1 above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practical, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
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