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GRADING POLICY

Mid-term Grading

At the mid-point of each term, a mid-term grade for each student will be assigned by the instructor. The following grade designations will be used:

• S  = Satisfactory

• M = Marginal

• U  = Unsatisfactory

• W = Withdrawal

Students can access their mid-term grades through PTC Pathway after grades are posted. Academic advisors and counselors monitor midterm grades to provide assistance in improving students’ grade performance.

Final Grading

At the end of each term, letter grades are given in all courses to indicate the quality of work done by the student.

• A = 94-100 Excellent - 4 grade points per term hour.

• B = 85-93 Above average - 3 grade points per term hour.

• C = 75-84 Average - 2 grade points per term hour.

• D = 70-74 Passing - 1 grade point per term hour.

• F = 69-0 Failure - no grade points.

• AU = Audit - assigned when a student has enrolled in a course for audit purposes. (No credit awarded).

• CF = Carry Forward - awarded only for a course that is scheduled across terms such as self-paced, distance learning, or, where applicable, independent study. No credit or grade points are earned at the time of grading. The “CF” grade must be replaced by a permanent grade when the course is completed. After a period of 20 weeks, the “CF” will convert to an “F” grade if not completed.

• E = Exempt - indicates a course was exempted by the student. Specific codes for the appropriate types of exemption are:
  •EA = Exemption - High School Articulation
  •EC = Exemption - College credit over 10 years old
  •EE = Exemption - Examination
  •EL = Exemption - Life Experience
  •EM = Exemption - Military
  •EP = Exemption - Advanced Credit (AP exams, CLEP)

• I = A small part of the term’s work remains undone. The student is allowed 30 school days to remove the incomplete grade; otherwise, the “I” is changed to an “F.”

• NC = No credit - student has made progress in a developmental course but needs to re-enroll to complete the course.

• NR = Grade not reported by instructor - (Not eligible for current term academic honors).

• TR = Transfer - awarded for allowable equivalent credits earned at other colleges or universities.

• S = Satisfactory - indicates an acceptable level of performance in a Continuing Education course.

• U = Unsatisfactory - denotes failure to attain an acceptable level of achievement in a Continuing Education course.

• W = Withdrew - awarded under the following circumstances:
  • Student-initiated withdrawal prior to mid-term if student follows official procedure (use Change of Class Schedule form to withdraw from a class).
  • Faculty-initiated withdrawal after mid-term if student is in good standing.

• WF = Withdrew Failing - awarded under the following circumstance:
  • Withdrawal after mid-term if student is not in good standing.

At the end of the term, grade point averages (GPAs) are computed for the academic work completed for that term and for the cumulative academic work completed while at Piedmont Technical College. Unless a course is repeated, the grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the number of term hours attempted as shown in the following example. When a course is repeated, the highest grade earned will be used in computing the cumulative grade point average. The student’s record, however, will continue to carry the original grade awarded, but it will not be calculated into the GPA.

EXAMPLE:

31.0 total quality points ÷ 13.0 hours GPA = 2.38

Final Grade

Students must check their final grades at the end of each term on PTC Pathway.

Terminal grades may be appealed only within two consecutive terms following the term in which the grade was received. For example: Spring grade - summer/fall appeal; Summer grade - fall/spring appeal; Fall grade - spring/summer appeal.

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ACCEPTANCE OF CREDIT AND AWARDING OF ADVANCED STANDING

Piedmont Technical College endorses the concept that college level learning may occur in a variety of settings. As a result, the college welcomes the opportunity to accept credits transferred from other regionally-accredited institutions and actively seeks ways to validate learning gained by nontraditional or extra-institutional methods. Validation of the currency of instructional content represented by transfer credit is a right which the college reserves. The following sources of credit and advanced standing represent not an exclusive listing, but rather an identification of some approaches to which the college is open.

Transfer Students

Piedmont Technical College will accept and give credit for work completed in other colleges and universities. Applicants seeking such credit should complete the regular application form and submit it with a transcript of all work from the schools previously attended. All rules regulating the transfer of credit must be met, and acceptance of such credit will be at the discretion of the Registrar and the appropriate Department Head. The following criteria are observed:

1. Subjects being transferred must closely parallel subjects being offered by Piedmont Technical College.

2. In order to transfer credit, a grade of “C” or better must have been made on the subject.

3. At least one-fourth of credits toward graduation must be earned at Piedmont Technical College.

4. Transfer credit will not be included in the computation of the student’s grade point average at Piedmont Technical College.

5. Credit for a subject must show on official transcript from the granting institution, and a copy of this transcript must be on file at Piedmont Technical College.

6. Credit given in transfer will be approved in writing and filed in the student’s folder.

7. Transfer students are not required to take the placement test if valid transfer credits are awarded in English and math.

8. Acceptance of transfer credit is awarded by the Registrar and is based on a combination of length of time and course content, as established by academic department heads.

9. Transfer credit will be awarded for course work completed within ten years; however, credit will not be awarded for any Anatomy and Physiology courses or Computer courses that are more than five years old.

10. Credit completed at PTC that is more than ten years old will be reviewed by the appropriate Department Head.

Articulated Credit

Area high school students may receive appropriate advanced credit at Piedmont Technical College for courses completed while in high school. Courses taken must closely correspond to courses offered at the college. The process of exemption is accomplished through an articulation agreement among the high schools and Piedmont Technical College.

The procedure to receive credit is as follows:

1. While still enrolled in high school, the student may receive credit in articulated courses.

2. The high school instructor assesses whether the student has mastered the competencies required for the course, with a grade of “B” or better.

3. If the student qualifies for exemption credit, the instructor adds the student’s name to the recommended list and sends the list to the college.

4. The high school student must apply for the articulated credit at the college within two years of high school graduation.

5. The technical college instructor completes an exemption credit form, checking the box labeled “EA” for each student who is to receive articulated credit and sends the forms to the Student Records Office at the college. (If transcript is hand delivered, it must be in a sealed envelope from the granting institution.)

6. Exemption credit (number of credit hours) is then posted to the enrolling student’s academic transcript. This process allows students to earn technical college credit in classes already completed at the high school level, without duplication of course content and without the cost of college tuition to the student.

CLEP

Piedmont Technical College will consider awarding credit for successful completion of any of the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) subject area examinations. Score recommendations of the Council on College Level Services will be used in determining credit to be awarded. CLEP is a program of the College Entrance Examination Board.

PEP

The college also considers awarding credit to applicants who successfully complete one or more examinations under the PEP (Proficiency Examination Program) offered by the American College Testing service (ACT).

Advanced Placement Examinations

The Advanced Placement Examination Program of the College Entrance Examination Board is accepted by Piedmont Technical College. Students who take college-level courses in high school and perform well on Advanced Placement Examinations may be granted credit in the following courses:

• American History

• Math: Calculus AB and BC

• Art History

• Microeconomics

• Biology

• Music Listening and Literature

• Chemistry

• Physics B

• Computer Science

• Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

• Economics

• Physics C: Mechanics

• English Language

• Political Science and Composition (American & Comprehensive)

• French

• Psychology

• German

• Spanish

• Macroeconomics

Armed Forces Training

It is the policy of Piedmont Technical College to award credit for training experiences in the Armed Services. Such experiences must be certified by the American Council on Education (identified in the Council’s publication, Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services). Credit will be given on the basis of individual evaluation by the curriculum department head. Creditable military experience must closely correspond to courses in the Piedmont Technical College curriculum for which the student is applying.

Exemption Credit and Nontraditional Learning

Students may try to exempt many Piedmont Technical College courses by demonstrating through mastery of written and/or performance tests that they are already competent in the course’s content. The Registrar or relevant curriculum department head can provide information as to which courses have exemption tests. The cost of a Credit by Exam is $60. The credits awarded will not count in the term enrolled hours, but will count toward cumulative hours. Applicants with appropriate life experience, corporate courses or other relevant background may also request consideration for credit at no charge by contacting the registrar.

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ACADEMIC FRESH START

This program is offered to allow a student who may have done poorly in a previous attempt at college to gain a “fresh start.” Students who were not enrolled in any post-secondary institution for a period of five years or more may petition for Academic Fresh Start. Under this program, all Piedmont Technical College credits earned prior to the granting of Academic Fresh Start will be eliminated from the computation of the student’s grade point average and may never be used toward graduation at Piedmont Technical College. Students should see the Registrar for more details about this program. For financial assistance, the federal government requires a student’s academic progress to be tracked from the first date of enrollment, whether or not financial aid was received. Please refer to the Academic Standards of Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility Policy for further information.

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AUDITING OF COURSES

A student who desires to attend classes regularly but does not wish to take examinations or receive credit may register as an auditor. A record of classes attended will be maintained. No credit is awarded for such courses and cannot be granted at a later date. A student enrolled in a course for credit cannot change to audit after the drop/add period. The participation of auditors in class discussions or examinations is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are expected to pay $55 per credit hour to enroll and attend classes regularly.

Nursing and Health Science students that re-enroll and/or repeat program courses must adhere to the audit policy outlined by the department. Students are responsible for any fees associated with the course such as insurance and testing fees.

Federal regulations will not allow students to receive financial aid for courses being audited.

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ACADEMIC HONORS

President’s List
The President’s List will be published each term to recognize fulltime students who have earned term GPAs of 4.0. These students will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the college president.

Dean’s List
The Dean’s List will be published each term naming students who are attending full-time and have earned term GPAs of 3.75 or better.

Merit List
The Merit List will be published each term to recognize students who are attending part-time and have earned term GPAs of 3.75 or better.

*Eligibility for academic honors is determined at the end of each term and letters will be mailed by the third week of the following term.

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HONOR SOCIETIES

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the international organization of two-year college scholars designed to recognize and honor scholastic achievement. Students qualify for membership by meeting the following criteria:

• Must have accumulated at least 12 credit hours

• Must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA

• Must be working towards an associate degree

The national honor society for psychology in two-year colleges, Psi Beta is designed for students enrolled in two or more psychology courses with “B” averages (3.0 GPAs) or higher.

Lambda Chi Nu was created for Associate Degree Nursing students or graduates who have earned grade point average of at least 3.0 or be in the top 15% of class after mid-term of second level courses. This honor society was formed to honor outstanding academic achievement, professionalism and clinical nursing excellence.

Tau Alpha Pi is open to Engineering Technology students and graduates who achieve high academic standards. Members are involved in campus and community activities and are working to build a network with local business professionals.

Lambda Beta Society is a national honor society for Respiratory Care. Students must be in the top 25 percent of their class to become members.

Kappa Beta Delta is an international honor society for business students who hold an academic ranking in the upper 20 percent of their class, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

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ACADEMIC PROBATION

All Piedmont Technical College students must maintain a 2.0 semester/term and cumulative grade point average (GPA) to be considered in satisfactory academic standing. It is the policy of Piedmont Technical College to require that grade point standards be maintained for continued enrollment. The grade point standards are as follows:

1 - 12 credit hours earned minimum 1.50 GPA
13 - 24 credit hours earned minimum 1.75 GPA
25+ credit hours earned minimum 2.00 GPA

Academic Warning
A student whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below the minimum scale described above will receive an academic warning. A letter will be issued to each student with recommendations for academic improvement including tutoring, counseling with the Student Success Center staff, reduced academic load, etc.

Academic Probation
A student who is placed on academic warning who does not earn the minimum cumulative GPA at the end of the next term of enrollment will be placed on academic probation (AP). The student will be required to meet with an AP Counselor or Registrar to complete an AP Contract Agreement form. The AP Counselor will calculate the required grades necessary to progress towards satisfactory standing in the next semester. By signing the AP Contract, the student is agreeing to earn the grades required in the current term. Students will not be able to register until the AP Contract is completed.

Academic Suspension
A student on academic probation who does not meet the terms of the AP Contract at the end of the next term of enrollment will be placed on academic suspension and the student will be suspended from attending classes for a minimum of one term. When the student re-enters the college, the student remains on academic probation; therefore a new AP Contract will be required for the incoming term. Failure to achieve an acceptable GPA after re-admission makes the student subject to dismissal again.

When a student is suspended from the college, all financial aid and veteran’s benefits are automatically terminated. If there are extenuating circumstances, a special committee comprised of the division dean, AP Counselor and faculty advisor will be called to decide on whether to uphold the suspension, allow continuance with a reduced load, or allow full continuance.

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CHANGE OF SCHEDULE/STUDENT INFORMATION

Adding/Dropping/Withdrawing from Class
A change of schedule after enrollment can be accomplished by completing the Change of Class Schedule form. (It is recommended that students consult their academic advisors before changing their schedules or withdrawing from a course).

Change of status will affect Financial Aid eligibility. Contact the Financial Aid Office to determine earned aid and future eligibility. Questions concerning refunding should be directed to the Business Office.

Adding and dropping courses must be completed on the Change of Class Schedule form prior to the end of the drop/add period. (See academic calendar on page 3). Dropped courses during this period do not appear on the student’s transcript.

Withdrawing from classes after the drop/add period is completed on the Withdrawal from Class form. The form can be obtained from the Student Records Office, county center or from the college Web site:  www.ptc.edu/forms/cat_view/104-student-records. The student must have the instructor sign the form awarding the grade (W or WF) and the last date of attendance in the class. A grade of “W” should be awarded through midterm (see academic calendar on page 3). After midterm, instructors must use their discretion to award the “W” (student in good standing) or the “WF” (student not in good standing). The “WF” is calculated into the GPA as a punitive grade. After all signatures are obtained, the form must be submitted, routed or faxed [(864) 941-8566] to the Student Records Office for processing.

Student Information Changes
Any student who wishes to change his or her name, address, telephone number, curriculum or correct his or her social security number should complete the appropriate forms in the Student Records Office or in any county center. Forms may also be obtained from the assigned advisor. The Student Information Change form can also be found on the college Web site: www.ptc.edu/forms/cat_view/104-student-records.

Student Loading
No student may carry more than 18 credit hours unless required by curriculum configuration. Any exception to this policy requires approval of the appropriate department head/program coordinator and division dean. The maximum that any student may take is 21 credit hours. Any exception to this maximum must be approved by the Vice President for Educational Affairs, Chief Educational Officer.

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GRADUATION

Requirements for Graduation
All candidates for associate degrees, diplomas or certificates must meet the following requirements:

1. Petition for an associate degree, diploma or certificate filed with the Registrar. This application for graduation must be completed at the beginning of the student’s last term of attendance.

2. Satisfactory completion of all subjects specified by the curriculum outline in effect as of the student’s enrollment. If the student drops out for more than one year, he or she must satisfy the catalog requirements in effect as of his or her re-enrollment date. (Substitutions for specified courses may be made by the department head.)

3. At least one-fourth of total accumulated credits must have been earned at Piedmont Technical College.

4. The student must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher. A Special Note to

Students: Students must earn between 60 and 89 credit hours to graduate with an associate’s degree, between 42 and 54 credit hours for diploma programs and between 9 and 39 credit hours for certificate programs. To graduate in two (2) years, a full-time student needs to complete four (4) to six (6) courses per term and three (3) to four (4) courses during the summer term. Students who complete fewer courses per term may not graduate at the scheduled time. Only students completing 30 hours or more in certificate, diploma or degree programs are eligible to march in graduation. These students are required to pay the $25 graduation fee. Students completing a certificate with less than 30 hours are not required to pay a graduation fee.

Course Substitution
Curriculum department heads have the right to authorize course substitutions for those prescribed in the standard course outlines. Such substitutions may be necessary because:

• term to term conversion required course numbers to change.

• content of another course is deemed equivalent.

• curriculum department head determines that it will meet the student’s educational objective.

Transfer Back/Degree Completion Option
The Transfer Back/Degree Completion Option is available to students who will transfer to another college before completing degrees, diplomas or certificates at Piedmont Technical College. Participants can transfer appropriate credits back to PTC to complete their programs of study and graduate. See the Registrar or your academic advisor for program details.

Graduation Honors
Students who graduate from 30 hours or more in certificate, diploma or degree programs with cumulative technology GPAs within the scale listed will be honored during commencement exercises. All honor graduates will wear the gold tassel, will have an honor seal affixed to their diplomas and will have their honor designation printed in the graduation bulletin. The student earning the highest GPA from each of the seven counties of Piedmont Technical College’s service area will also be presented a County Award plaque to honor his or her accomplishment. Only students receiving diplomas and associate degrees are eligible for the county awards.

The honor designations for graduation are:

Cumulative Technology GPA

3.50 - 3.74 Cum Laude
3.75 - 3.99 Magna Cum Laude
4.00 - Summa Cum Laude

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STUDENT RECORDS

Requests for Transcripts
Transcripts will be furnished to other colleges, agencies or to the student only upon receipt of a written request from the student. Unsigned requests will not be processed. Transcript request forms can be obtained in the Student Records Office, county center offices or on the college Web site: www.ptc.edu/forms/cat_view/104-student-records. The student may also mail or fax the transcript request form. (The Student Records Fax number is (864) 941-8566). Transcripts will not be issued if the student has any debt to the college.

Processing Time: The Student Records Office requires three to five working days to prepare a transcript for mailing or pick-up. More time may be necessary during peak periods such as graduation, registration and final exams.

The transcript fees: $3 - issued directly to student; $5 - mailed; $10 - faxed. This fee must be paid at the time the transcript request is submitted.

Security of Student Records
The privacy and confidentiality of all current and former student records shall be preserved at Piedmont Technical College. Student records are maintained and safeguarded by the Student Development Division. Each student has the right to inspect and challenge the accuracy of his/her records.

Only the student may view his or her record or request in writing any issuance of the record. If other individuals wish to review or receive copies of a student's record, they must have the student's written permission to view or receive a copy. Parents or guardians may, upon validating that the student is a dependent, view or receive a copy of the student’s record.

1. Methods of Furnishing Student Records Information
   The following are exempted from the requirement of written student permission:
   1. Other school officials who have legitimate educational interest.
   2. Authorized representatives of the Comptroller General, administrative head of an educational agency or state education auditors.
   3. Judicial representatives in compliance to a subpoena or law enforcement order. (A copy of this order would be placed in the student’s record with date of issuance posted.)
   4. Agency representatives in connection with a student application for a receipt of financial aid.
   
   Separate files are maintained for records in the following categories: (1) academic, (2) disciplinary, (3) counseling, (4) financial aid and (5) placement. When justified by legitimate law enforcement needs, the campus Public Safety Office may maintain confidential records relating primarily to its investigative function.

2. Furnishing Student Records Information
   Piedmont Technical College is mandated by the 1974 Buckley Amendment, Family Education and Rights to Privacy Act, Public Law 93-380, to guarantee each student’s academic privacy. The following procedures are in place to assure compliance with the Rights to Privacy Act:
   1. Transcripts and enrollment verifications will be issued only by Student Records personnel.
   2. Information that may be issued to an inquirer either in person or over the telephone:
       a. enrollment status
       b. attendance dates
       c. curriculum
       d. graduation status
       e. location of classes (if legitimate reasons are demonstrated)
       *Students may request extended security be placed on their record by contacting Student Records.
   
   3. Information that cannot be issued to anyone over the telephone (including the student):
       a. Social Security number
       b. grades
       c. GPA
       d. AP status
       e. telephone number
       f. address
   
   The information listed in number three cannot be issued to parents, friends, brothers/sisters, etc., either in person or over the telephone. (Parents who can provide documentation that the student is claimed as a dependent may have access to this information.) A signed Request Authorization must be obtained to authorize release of this information to anyone. The release of restricted information will be the responsibility of Student Records staff so that proper documentation can be maintained.

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ATTENDANCE POLICY

It is the philosophy of Piedmont Technical College that student instructor and student-student interactions are critical to bringing about student learning. Such interactions allow students to develop competencies in the skills and knowledge of the particular course subject, work ethic and interpersonal skills. It is important, therefore, that students regularly participate in class sessions. Unless there are circumstances beyond the control of an individual student that prevent him or her from attending a class session, each student should attend all class sessions of a course.

Recognizing that situations may arise to prevent such attendance, however, students may be absent for no more than ten percent of class meetings for unavoidable absences and no more than an additional five percent of class meetings for avoidable absences. In extreme circumstances, students may be absent for a length of time mutually agreed upon between the instructor and the student that exceeds this percentage of class meetings. Attendance for less than a full class period may be counted as one-third of an absence.

The college’s attendance policy and specific procedures may be found on Piedmont Technical College’s Web page. In addition, the syllabus of every course states the attendance requirements, make-up policy and procedures. Special Note on Attendance Policy for Veterans and other students eligible for assistance under the G.I. Bill are subject to the attendance policy described above. Veterans should be aware of specific attendance policies.

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TIME COMMITMENT

The full-time schedule requires 18 to 30 hours per week of classroom and laboratory work. An average of 18 to 20 hours per week must be devoted to outside study; thus, students should anticipate a time commitment of an average of 45 hours per week in their studies. Students should not attempt to maintain full-time employment while carrying a full academic load. No student may carry more than 18 credits per term without permission from the appropriate department head and division dean.

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LATE INSTRUCTOR POLICY

We do not expect faculty to be late. In the event of an emergency, however, if an instructor is late in arriving for class, students should wait at least 15 minutes from the assigned start time before signing a roll and leaving. After the first five minutes, one student from the class should inform the department head, division secretary, Student Success Center or evening administrator. It may be possible to provide alternative instruction if the authorities are informed in time, and we would like to be able to provide instruction for every scheduled session.

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TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES

The Commission on Higher Education for the State of South Carolina coordinates postsecondary education in public-supported institutions, including policies and procedures for students and their course credits transferring among these institutions. The Commission’s policies and procedures and Piedmont Technical College’s transfer information follow. For more information regarding transfer, students may access on the Internet the Commission’s home page at www.che.sc.gov or Piedmont Technical College’s home page at www.ptc.edu/transfer.

General Information
Piedmont Technical College’s transfer opportunities can be the first step toward a four-year degree. The college strives to make transfer to a four-year university or college an attractive and barrier-free option for graduates.

The college offers two-year associate degrees in arts and science that allow students to smoothly transfer to all public universities in the state as well as many private colleges. The section on Arts and Science Curricula contains more information on these transfer opportunities. Special transfer opportunities are also available for students entering the Business, Engineering Technology, Criminal Justice, Commercial Art, Nursing and Human Services programs. Information on these opportunities is briefly summarized in this section, as well as in each program’s narrative section in the catalog. Students wishing to transfer to senior institutions after completing their degrees at Piedmont Technical College should indicate this desire to their academic advisors in order to receive appropriate advisement. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a catalog from the four-year college or university that he or she plans to attend and to review the transfer policies of that institution. Students should also review the degree requirements carefully for the major they intend to complete at the senior institution. All four year public senior institutions in South Carolina have transfer course equivalence guides for transfer students to use when scheduling courses from a technical college. These guides may be obtained directly from the senior institution, from the senior institution’s Web site, or from Piedmont Technical College’s transfer coordinator.

The transfer coordinator at Piedmont Technical College is located on the Lex Walters Campus-Greenwood. The transfer coordinator’s role is to assist all students and academic advisors with transfer questions and concerns.

Coordinated Transfer Program and Educational Partnerships
To enhance transfer opportunities for students, the college has established special transfer agreements with several senior public and private institutions. These agreements are described below:

1. University of South Carolina Bridge Program
   The USC Bridge Program is designed to enhance the transfer of students from Piedmont Technical College to the University of South Carolina – Columbia. Students in this program can enroll in a special fall section of COL 105 that will provide information about USC and that will host visits from USC staff from admissions and other departments. Each spring, students in this program will be invited to the USC campus for a Bridge Day and for other special events. Students will be advised by both Piedmont Technical College and USC advisors and will receive earlier consideration for admission and for special housing for transfer students.
2. Lander University Bridge Program
   The Lander University Bridge Program is designed to enhance the transfer of students from Piedmont Technical College to Lander. Students in this program can enroll in a special fall section of COL 105 that will provide information about Lander and that will host visits from Lander staff from admissions and other departments. Students in this program will be invited to Lander for special events and will have the opportunity to begin working toward meeting such Lander requirements as the Fine Arts Lecture Series. Students will be advised by both Piedmont Technical College and Lander advisors.

3. College of Charleston Collaboration
   The College of Charleston Collaboration is designed to enhance the transfer of students from Piedmont Technical College to the College of Charleston. Students in this program will be part of a special learning community and will be advised jointly by Piedmont Technical College and College of Charleston staff. They will also be invited to a special open house at the College of Charleston. In addition, the application fee to the College of Charleston will be waived.

4. Joint Admissions and Parallel Advisement Programs
   The Joint Admissions Program allows students to jointly enrolled at Piedmont Technical College and Newberry College. The Parallel Advisement Program with USC-Aiken allows students to receive parallel advisement from advisors at USC-Aiken while completing their associate degree at Piedmont Technical College. Students wishing to enroll in one of these programs should inform their academic advisors upon admission to Piedmont Technical College or contact Piedmont Technical College’s transfer coordinator.

5. Specific Program Transfer Opportunities
   Piedmont Technical College offers program transfer opportunities with many institutions in the state. These opportunities are briefly described below. For more information, contact the department head or program coordinator listed in the catalog directory for the specific program at Piedmont Technical College. Students who are considering transferring to a senior baccaulaureate granting university or college in South Carolina from an applied associate degree program at PTC should alert their academic advisors and inquire about course substitutions that are approved for transfer in their programs. ENG 101: English Composition I; ENG 102 : English Composition II; and PSY 201: Introduction to Psychology are usually valid substitutions for English and psychology requirements in most applied programs and these courses will transfer to all senior public universities or colleges in South Carolina. A complete list of all technical college courses transferable to public senior institutions in South Carolina is listed below.
   
   Business/Computer Technology
   Students earning degrees in Business or Computer Technology can transfer to Lander University, Limestone College or Southern Wesleyan University.
   
   Criminal Justice/Human Services
   Students earning Public Service degrees with majors either in Criminal Justice or Human Services may transfer smoothly into Limestone’s B.A. in Social Work or B.A. in Counseling and Human Services or S.C. State’s Bachelor of Social Work.
   
   Early Care and Education
   Graduates earning a degree in Early Care and Education may transfer directly into the University of South Carolina, Columbia College or Newberry College's Early Childhood bachelor's degree program for teacher certification.
   
   Electronic/Mechanical Engineering Technology
   Electronic Engineering Technology or Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates may transfer directly into South Carolina State University’s Bachelor of Science degree program in Engineering Technology or Mechanical Engineering Technology. Students can complete S.C. State’s B.S. E.E.T. or B.S. M.E.T. during the evenings on the Piedmont Technical College campus.
   
   Engineering Technology/Industrial Technology/General Technology
   Graduates of any of the college’s Engineering Technology programs may transfer smoothly into USC Upstate’s Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology Management. 
   
   Commercial Art
   Graduates of Commercial Art and General Studies may transfer directly into Lander University’s Visual Arts program to earn bachelor’s degrees.
   
   Nursing (ADN)
   Students earning associate degrees in Health Science with majors in Nursing (ADN) can transfer into bachelor’s degree nursing or other health-related degree programs at Lander University, University of South Carolina at Aiken, University of South Carolina Upstate’s Mary Black School of Nursing and Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
   
   University of South Carolina Bridge to Engineering-Engineering Technology
   Piedmont Technical College's Engineering Technology program offers transfer certificates in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering that allow students to smoothly transfer into the University of South Carolina's Electrical or Mechanical Engineering programs.
   
   Additional Transfer Opportunities
   
   Franklin University
   Piedmont Technical College is a member of a Community College Alliance program with Franklin University. The Alliance offers sixteen Bachelor of Science degree completion programs online in Accounting, Applied Management, Business Administration, Business Forensics, Computer Science, eMarketing, Financial Management, Forensic Accounting, Healthcare Management, Human Resources Management, Information Technology, Management, Management Information Sciences, Marketing, Public Safety Management and Web Development. This program accepts Piedmont Technical College’s entire associate degree and then allows students to take core courses at Piedmont Technical College, leaving final classes to be taken online through Franklin University.
   
   University of Phoenix
   Students transferring to the University of Phoenix should consult with the Transfer Coordinator for more information.
   
   Strayer University
   Piedmont Technical College students who graduate with an associate degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 are guaranteed admission when applying to a related degree program at Strayer University.

1. Articulated Programs with Greenville Technical College
   One Plus One (1+1) sequential programs with Greenville Technical College are available in the Biotechnology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physical Therapy Assistant, Dental Hygiene and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs during fall, spring and summer terms. Phase I includes all general education and related course requirements. These courses are taken at Piedmont Technical College. Upon successful completion of the Phase I curriculum, attending career talk at Greenville Technical College and meeting observational requirements, students are eligible to apply for Phase II of the program, which includes all major courses. Phase II is taught at Greenville Technical College.

2. Piedmont Education and Business Alliance
   The Piedmont Education and Business Alliance (PEBA), a business-education partnership, is comprised of the 10 school districts in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties, area business partners and Piedmont Technical College. South Carolina’s Tech Prep initiative is administered through a 16-partnership alliance structure (South Carolina Education and Business Alliance) and is aligned with the 16 technical colleges in South Carolina. PEBA is a collaborative effort to implement federal and state Tech Prep/School-To-Work/Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) laws and regulations and to support and facilitate articulation between secondary and postsecondary educational institutions. In partnership with the State Department of Education, Office of Career and Technology, the alliance serves as a resource for K-postsecondary students and educators by providing information, support and professional development opportunities designed to help prepare students to be productive citizens in the 21st century; contextual teaching and learning; training and career development facilitation; training for educators; and provide support and direction to the school districts in strengthening the career development process for all students.

3. Secondary Articulation Agreements
   Articulation agreements with the ten school districts in the Piedmont Technical College service area allow the transfer of credits for students completing certain programs of study in high school upon entrance to Piedmont Technical College in the same program of study with certain conditions. The school district superintendents and the Piedmont Technical College president have signed formal articulation agreements within the 16 career clusters identified by the Education and Economic Development Act of 2005. Credits are issued based on the development and implementation of common course objectives for specified common courses. These correlation charts ensure accurate and accessible academic transfer of credits between the high school and the technical college in a specified program without additional cost in time or money to the student. The intent of these articulation agreements is to expand access to higher education for students through a uniform policy for the transfer of credit from high school to Piedmont Technical College under three conditions:
   • High school students must be taught and master the goals, objectives and competencies listed on the curriculum correlation chart;
   • High school students must earn a grade of “B” or better;
   • The high school instructor must recommend in writing students who have successfully completed course(s).
   
   Students meeting these conditions will be considered to have fulfilled the technical college requirements and receive appropriate college credit at PTC.
   
   Through articulation, students may enter the technical college with pre-earned credit hours and complete their program of study at the technical college sooner. This opportunity is designed for students who are focused on their career and serious about their goal to complete the technical college program. For more information on these agreements, contact Peggy Prescott, Coordinating Director of Secondary Initiatives.

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State Policies and Procedures on Articulation

Background
Section 10-C of the South Carolina School-to-Work Transition Act (1994) stipulates that the Council of College and University Presidents and the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, operating through the Commission on Higher Education, shall develop better articulation of associate and baccalaureate degree programs. To comply with this requirement, the commission, upon the advice of the Council of Presidents, established a Transfer Articulation Policy Committee composed of four-year institutions’ vice presidents for academic affairs and the Associate Director for Instruction of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education. The principal outcomes derived from the work of that committee and accepted by the Commission on Higher Education on July 6, 1995, were:

• An expanded list of 86 courses which will transfer to four-year public institutions of South Carolina from the two-year public institutions;

• A statewide policy document on good practices in transfer to be followed by all public institutions of higher education in the State of South Carolina, which was accepted in principle by the Advisory Committee on Academic Programs and the Commission;

• Six task forces on statewide transfer agreements, each based in a discipline or broad area of the baccalaureate curriculum.

In 1995 the General Assembly passed Act 137 which stipulated further that the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education “notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, shall have the following additional duties and functions with regard to the various public institutions of higher education.” These duties and responsibilities include the Commission’s responsibility “to establish procedures for the transferability of courses at the undergraduate level between two-year and four-year institutions or schools.” This same provision is repeated in the legislation developed from the Report of the Joint Legislative Study Committee, which was formed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor as Act 359 of 1996.

Act 137 directs the Commission to adopt procedures for the transfer of courses from all two-year public to all four-year public institutions of higher education in South Carolina. Proposed procedures follow. Unless otherwise stated, these procedures shall become effective immediately upon approval by the Commission and shall be fully implemented, unless otherwise stated, by September 1, 1997.

        Statewide Articulation of 86 Courses 

1.  The Statewide Articulation Agreement of 86 courses already approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education for transfer from two- to four-year public institutions (see list of 86 transferrable courses on page 28) shall be applicable to all public institutions, including two-year institutions and institutions within the same system. In instances where an institution does not have courses synonymous to ones on this list, it shall identify comparable courses or course categories for acceptance of general education courses on the statewide list.
   
   Admissions Criteria, Course Grades, GPA’s, Validations

2. All four-year public institutions shall issue annually in August a transfer guide covering at least the following items:
   a. The definition of a transfer student and requirements for admission both to the institution and, if more selective, requirements for admission to particular programs.
   b. Limitations placed by the institution or its programs for acceptance of standardized examinations (e.g., SAT, ACT) taken more than a given time ago, for academic course work taken elsewhere, for course work repeated because of failure, for course work taken at another institution while the student is academically suspended at his or her home institution, and so forth.
   c. Institutional and, if more selective, programmatic maximums of course credits allowable in transfer.
   d. Institutional procedures used to calculate student applicants’ GPA’s for transfer admission. Such procedures shall describe how nonstandard grades (withdrawal, withdrawal failing, repeated course, etc.) are evaluated; and they shall also describe whether all course work taken prior to transfer or just course work deemed appropriate to the student’s intended four-year program of study is calculated for purposes of admission to the institution and/or programmatic major.
   e. Lists of all courses accepted from each technical college (including the 86 courses in the Statewide Articulation Agreement) and the course equivalencies (including “free elective” category) found at the home institution for the courses accepted.
   f. Lists of all articulation agreements with any public South Carolina two-year or other institution of higher education, together with information about how interested parties can access these agreements.
   g. Lists of the institution’s Transfer Office(s) personnel together with telephone and FAX numbers and office addresses.
   h. Institutional policies related to “academic bankruptcy” (i.e., removing an entire transcript or parts thereof from a failed or underachieving record after a period of years has passed) so that re-entry into the four-year institution with course credit earned in the interim elsewhere is done without regard to the student’s earlier record.
   i. “Residency requirements” for the minimum of hours required to be earned at the institution for the degree.

3. Course work (individual courses, transfer blocks, statewide agreements) covered within these procedures shall be transferable if the student has completed the course work with a grade of “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or above, but transfer of grades does not relieve the student of the obligation to meet any GPA requirements or other admissions requirements of the institution or program to which application has been made.
   a. Any four-year institution which has institutional or programmatic admissions requirements for transfer students with cumulative grade point averages (GPAs) higher than 2.0 on a 4.0 scale shall apply such entrance requirements equally to transfer students from regionally accredited South Carolina public institutions regardless of whether students are transferring from a four-year or two-year institution.
   b. Any multi-campus institution or system shall certify by letter to the Commission that all course work at all of its campuses applicable to a particular degree program of study is fully acceptable in transfer to meet degree requirements in the same degree program at any of its other campuses.

4. Any course work (individual courses, transfer blocks, statewide agreements) covered within these procedures shall be transferable to any public institution without any additional fee and without any further encumbrance such as a “validation examination,” “placement examination/instrument,” “verification instrument” or any other structure, notwithstanding any institutional or system policy, procedure or regulation to the contrary.
   
   Transfer Blocks, Statewide Agreements, Completion of the AA/AS Degree

5. The following Transfer Blocks/Statewide Agreements taken at any two-year public institution in South Carolina shall be accepted in their totality toward meeting baccalaureate degree requirements at all four-year public institutions in relevant four-year degree programs, as follows:
   • Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Established curriculum block of 46-48 semester hours.
   • Business Administration: Established curriculum block of 46- 51 semester hours.
   • Engineering Technology: Established curriculum block of 33 semester hours.
   • Science and Mathematics: Established curriculum block of 51-53 semester hours.
   • Teacher Education: Established curriculum block of 38-39 semester hours for Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education students only. Secondary education majors and students seeking certification who are not majoring in teacher education should consult the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences or the Math and Science transfer blocks, as relevant, to assure transferability of course work.
   • Nursing: By statewide agreement, at least 60 semester hours shall be accepted by any public four-year institution toward the baccalaureate completion program (BSN) from graduates of any South Carolina public associate degree program in nursing (ADN), provided that the program is accredited by the National League of Nursing and that the graduate has successfully passed the National Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and is a currently licensed Registered Nurse. Refer inquiries to the dean of nursing at each four-year university and program chair at each two-year institution. (NOTE: For complete information about these statewide transfer blocks, see the Transfer Opportunities link located at www.ptc.edu.)

6. Any “unique” academic program not specifically or by extension covered by one of the statewide transfer blocks/agreements listed in #5 above shall either create its own transfer block of 35 or more credit hours with the approval of CHE staff or shall adopt either the Arts/Social Science/Humanities or the Science/Mathematics block by September 1996. The institution at which such program is located shall inform the staff of the CHE and every institutional president and vice president for academic affairs about this decision. Clemson University maintains transfer blocks for the following baccalaureate majors that are unique in South Carolina: Landscape Architecture, Construction Science and Management, Fine Arts, Design (B.S. and B.A.), Graphics Communications, Textile Chemistry, Textile Science and Textile Management. Contact the Director of Admissions at Clemson for complete information on each of these blocks.

7. Any student who has completed either an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree program at any public two-year South Carolina institution which contains within it the total course work found in either the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Transfer Block or the Science and Mathematics Transfer Block shall automatically be entitled to junior level status or its equivalent at whatever public senior institution to which the student might have been admitted. (Note: As agreed by the Committee on Academic Affairs, junior status applies only to campus activities such as priority order for registration for courses, residence hall assignments, parking, athletic event tickets, etc. and not in calculating academic degree credits.)
   
   Related Reports and Statewide Documents

8. All applicable recommendations found in the Commission’s report to the General Assembly on the School-to-Work Act (approved by the Commission and transmitted to the General Assembly on July 6, 1995) are hereby incorporated into the procedures for transfer of course work among two- and four-year institutions. For copies of this document, contact the Division of Academic Affairs and Student Services at the Commission on Higher Education at (803) 737-2245.

9. The policy paper entitled State Policy on Transfer and Articulation, as amended to reflect changes in the numbers of transfer blocks and other Commission action since July 6, 1995, is hereby adopted as the statewide policy for institutional good practice in the sending and receiving of all course credits to be transferred. For copies of this document, contact the Division of Academic Affairs and Student Services at the Commission on Higher Education at (803) 737-2245.
   
   Assurance of Quality

10. All claims from any public two- or four-year institution challenging the effective preparation of any other public institutions course work for transfer purposes shall be evaluated and appropriate measures shall be taken to reassure that the quality of the course work has been reviewed and approved on a timely basis by sending and receiving institutions alike. This process of formal review shall occur every four years through the staff of the Commission on Higher Education, beginning with the approval of these procedures.
    
    Statewide Publication and Distribution of Information on Transfer

11. The staff of the Commission on Higher Education shall print and distribute copies of these procedures upon their acceptance by the Commission. The staff shall also place this document and the appendices on the Commission’s home page on the Internet under the title “Transfer Policies.”

12. By September 1 of each year, all public four-year institutions will place the following materials on their Internet Web sites:
    a. A copy of this entire document.
    b. A copy of the institution’s transfer guide.

13. By September 1 of each year, the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education will place the following materials on its Internet Web site:
    a. A copy of this document.
    b. Provide to the Commission staff in format suitable for placing on the Commission’s Web site a list of all articulation agreements that each of the 16 technical colleges has with public and other four-year institutions of higher education, together with information about how interested parties can access those agreements.

14. Each two-year and four-year public institutional catalog shall contain a section entitled “TRANSFER: STATE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.” Such section at a minimum shall:
    a. Publish these procedures in their entirety (except appendices).
    b. Designate a chief transfer officer at the institution who shall: -- provide information and other appropriate support for students considering transfer and recent transfers. -- serve as a clearinghouse for information on issues of transfer in the State of South Carolina. -- provide definitive institutional rulings on transfer questions for the institution’s students under these procedures. -- work closely with feeder institutions to assure ease in transfer for their students.
    c. Designate other programmatic transfer officer(s) as the size of the institution and the variety of its programs might warrant.
    d. Refer interested parties to the institutional Transfer Guide.
    e. Refer interested parties to the institution’s and the Commission on Higher Education’s home pages on the Internet for further information regarding transfer.

15. In recognition of its widespread acceptance and use throughout the United States, SPEEDE/EXPRESS should be adopted by all public institutions and systems as the standard for electronic transmission of all student transfer data.

16. In conjunction with the colleges and universities, develop and implement a statewide Transfer Equivalency Database at the earliest opportunity.
    
    (As an electronic counseling guide, this computerized, online instrument will allow students and advisors to access all degree requirements for every major at every public four-year institution in South Carolina. Also, the Database will allow students to obtain a better understanding of institutional programs and program requirements and select their transfer courses accordingly, especially when the student knows the institution and the major to which he/she is transferring.)
    
    Development of Common Course System

17. Adopt a common statewide course numbering system for common freshman and sophomore courses of the technical colleges, two senior institutions.

18. Adopt common course titles and descriptions for common freshman and sophomore courses of the technical colleges, two-year regional campuses of the University of South Carolina and the senior institutions. The Commission will convene statewide disciplinary groups to engage in formal dialogue for these purposes.
    
    (A common course numbering system and common course titles and descriptions for lower-division course work at all public institutions in the state can help reduce confusion among students about the equivalency of their two-year course work with lower-division course work at the four-year level. To this end, a common system leaves no doubt about the comparability of content, credit and purpose among the lower-division courses at all public colleges and universities in South Carolina. It would also help eliminate institutional disagreement over the transferability of much lower-division course work, thus clearing a path for easier movement between the technical colleges and senior institutions.)

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TECHNICAL COLLEGE COURSES TRANSFERABLE TO PUBLIC SENIOR INSTITUTIONS (CHE’S LIST OF 86)

The S.C. Commission on Higher Education’s Transfer Policy states that these courses are approved to transfer to any senior public institution in the state. Many private colleges in the state also accept them.

NOTE: Individual college transfer guidelines list other courses that are approved for transfer besides those that are listed on CHE’s transfer list.

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DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS

Associate degrees are awarded to students for the successful completion of all requirements in the following curricula: Associate in Applied Science with a major in General Business, with concentration in one of the following: Accounting, General Business, Business Management, Office Management; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Administrative Office Technology, with concentration in one of the following: Accounting, Legal, Medical, Medical Coding/Billing, Spanish; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Computer Technology, with concentrations in Programming, Internet, Network Administration; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Human Services, with concentration in Instructional Assistant; Associate in Applied Science, with major in Early Care and Education, with concentration in Infant/Toddler; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Criminal Justice; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Radiologic Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major Nursing; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Cardiovascular Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Veterinary Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Respiratory Care; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Electronic Engineering Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Engineering Graphics Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major General Engineering Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Mechanical Engineering Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Automotive Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Building Construction Technology; Associate Applied Science with a major in General Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Industrial Electronics Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Machine Tool Technology; Associate in Applied Science with a major in Horticulture Technology; and Associate in Applied Science with a major in Mechatronics Technology.

Diplomas are awarded to students for successful completion of all requirements in the following curricula: Diploma in Applied Science with a major in Machine Tool; Diploma in Applied Science with a major in Medical Assisting; Diploma in Applied Science with a major in Pharmacy Technician; Diploma in Applied Science with a major in Practical Nursing; Diploma in Applied Science with a major in Surgical Technology; and Diploma in Applied Science with a major in Welding.

Piedmont Technical College offers numerous certificates designed to meet specific needs of students and employers in the seven-county service area. A certificate is designed as an independent award. Many certificates may be used as components of diplomas or associate degrees that are currently approved for the college. Certificates are offered in the areas of General Studies, Business, Commercial Art, Computer Technology, Health Science, Public Service, Building Construction Technology, Industrial Technology and Agriculture.

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LENGTH OF PROGRAMS

Most associate degree programs are normally completed in a period of two academic years - an academic year for degree programs is two 16-week semesters and a 10-week summer term.

Since Piedmont Technical College recognizes transfer of credit from other institutions of higher learning and gives advanced standing to certain graduates, students may complete some educational programs in less time than the normal schedule requires.

Because of the reduced time frame for scheduling evening courses, completion of degrees and diplomas requires additional time for the full-time evening student. Diplomas may be earned in three to five terms. An associate degree program is normally completed in six to nine terms.

Students are encouraged to enroll during any academic term, but it is recommended that they check with advisors on specific course schedules. The scheduling of all courses is contingent upon reaching minimum enrollment levels.

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ENGLISH FLUENCY IN HIGHER EDUCATION ACT

All instructional faculty members (full-time and adjunct) whose second language is English are required to write and speak fluently in the English language according to the English Fluency in Higher Education Act. Piedmont Technical College reports annually to the State Carolina Technical College System a summary of any grievances filed by students under the provisions of this act. An English Fluency Evaluation Committee has been established at Piedmont Technical College to hear grievances filed by students for faculty members who do not meet the requirements of this act. Once a grievance has been filed, the instructor will be referred to the committee within 30 days for proficiency evaluation, using the procedures and methods described in Institutional Directive 8-31, Section B.

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STUDENT RIGHT TO KNOW (Student Persistence Rate)

To see the completion/persistence rate of Piedmont Technical College students, check http://www.che.sc.gov/New_Web/Rep&Pubs/Completions/2007-08.htm
As required by the provisions of the Campus Security Act, crime statistics and campus security procedures are available in the General Information section of the Piedmont Technical College catalog.

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