Course Information

Auditing a Course

A student who wishes to participate in a course without receiving credit for the course may register as an audit student. An audit student must meet all admission criteria and is expected to attend classes regularly. Any student who wishes to audit a course at Williamsburg Technical College must inform his or her faculty advisor who will make note on the WTC advisement form and in the Datatel system that the course taken is by audit. The advisor will also inform the student that no grade or credit will be granted. The student will not be required to take examinations but has the option of taking tests; however, college credit will not be received. Audit students may not change to credit status after the end of the add/drop period. Credit students may not change to audit status after the add/drop period. Audit students will not be eligible for VA or other financial aid benefits. Where enrollment is limited, credit students will take priority over audit students.

Change of Schedule

At the beginning of each semester, there is a drop/add period during which time students may initiate schedule changes without academic penalty. Students who wish to make a change in their schedules during this period must contact their academic advisor for assistance and approval. The drop/add period is typically the first week of class.

Conduct of Classes

Discussion and expression of all views relevant to the subject matter are recognized as necessary to the educational process, but students have no right to infringe on the freedom of instructors to teach or the right of students to learn. If a student behaves disruptively in class after the instructor has explained the unacceptability of such conduct, the instructor may temporarily dismiss the student from class and refer the matter to the Dean of Student Services.

Course Outline

Students have the right and the responsibility to be informed of the subject matter and materials to be covered in a course. The instructor will distribute a syllabus (course outline) at the first class meeting and will post it to his or her Website. This syllabus will include, as a minimum, information on materials, prerequisites, course objectives and schedule, evaluations, grading and attendance regulations. The student should request a syllabus for each course.

Course Prerequisites

Courses that have prerequisites are those requiring satisfactory completion of another course prior to scheduling a particular course. For example, ACC 102 may be scheduled only after satisfactory completion of ACC 101. Any waiver of prerequisites must be recommended by the instructor or academic advisor and approved by the Dean of Instruction. All prerequisite courses require a grade of "C" or better.

Course Substitutions

Academic advisors have the authority, subject to approval of the Dean of Instruction, to permit students to substitute courses for those prescribed in standard program requirements when, in their judgment, such a substitution will assist students in meeting their educational objectives.

Curriculum Changes

A Williamsburg Technical College student who wishes to change his/her instructional program should request a Change of Program form from the Office of Student Services. The institution may drop or change courses and/or hours in accordance with institutional capability and as demands change or according to student interest or community or industrial needs. Conflicts arising from such changes will be resolved in the best interest of the individual student.

Dropping a Course

Courses dropped during the first five class days will not appear on the student's official record. A course dropped after the fifth class day will result in a grade of "WP" if the student was passing the course at the time of the drop, or a "WF," which counts as an "F" in calculating grade point ratio. If the student drops or is dropped after 70% of the semester is complete, only a "WF" may be given. The instructor, however, may recommend a "WP" to the Dean of Instruction if extenuating nonacademic circumstances arise which call for the student to drop the course.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by multiplying semester hours earned by the respective numerical values for the course grade (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0); totaling the product; and then dividing this total by the number of semester hours attempted. Transfer credit (TR) is not calculated and does not affect the GPA. A grade point average of at least a 2.0 is required for graduation. Students may repeat courses with only the highest grade being calculated in the GPA. All grades will appear on the student's transcript.

Course Title Grade Cr. Hr. Qlty.Points

BUS 101 Intro. to Business B 3 9 (3 x 3)

AOT 105 Keyboarding A 3 12 (4 x 3)

AOT 141 Office Procedures I C 3 6 (2 x 3)

PSY 201 General Psychology C 3 6 (2 x 3)

ENG 101 English Composition I A 3 12 (4 x 3)

15 45

Quality points (45) divided by credit hours attempted (15) equals the grade point average (3.0).

Records–Transcripts

Official College records consist of Applications for Admission, Curriculum Assessments, transcripts of current and previous academic work, add/drop forms, Change of Major requests and requests to withdraw from the College.

Student records are confidential and, therefore, are released only when the student signs a written request to the Student Services office. Students may release their transcripts to any individual or institution they choose. They may also secure copies for their own use. High school transcripts and other college transcripts must be maintained in the student's file and cannot be released by the student's request. The student must request copies from the institution where the credit was earned.

Repeating Courses

Students may repeat any course. The highest grade earned will be computed in a student's GPA. However, the student's complete academic record will be reflected on the transcript.