Academic Information

Pellissippi State offers a variety of educational opportunities to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and interests. Each program of study is built on a set of broad educational goals. Academic and student support services are provided throughout the student’s educational career to encourage academic achievement and personal growth. The College is especially committed to providing new students with experiences that recognize their unique and diverse needs and maximize their opportunities to succeed. This commitment is articulated in Pellissippi State’s statement of Philosophy for the First Year of College.

Philosophy for the First Year of College

The faculty and staff at Pellissippi State Community College believe that the first-year experience is critically important, as it provides the foundation for college success and lifelong learning. To best serve the unique needs of first-year students, we commit to the following:

• Facilitating new student transition to the College
• Providing high-quality instruction
• Establishing positive mentoring and advising relationships with beginning students
• Supporting a vibrant college culture where students experience and express diverse worldviews
• Offering a comprehensive range of activities and opportunities to enhance learning and personal growth
• Evaluating the results of our efforts in addressing first-year student needs

In providing first-year students exceptional opportunities for growth and involvement, we believe they will connect more deeply with the college community, achieve their academic goals and gain a clearer, fuller vision of their lifetime direction.

Degrees

Pellissippi State operates on the semester system, with the standard academic year consisting of two terms of 15 weeks each. The standard credit is the semester hour.

• Associate of Arts (A.A.). Refer to the General Associate Degree Requirements  
• Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.). Refer to the University Parallel/Transfer Pathways section
• Associate of Science (A.S.). Refer to the General Associate Degree Requirements  
• Associate of Science in Teaching (A.S.T.). Refer to the University Parallel/Transfer Pathways section
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). Refer to the Career Programs  section

General Academic Policies

Attendance policy. Students are expected to attend and participate in all scheduled class, laboratory or clinical sessions. Absences result in missed learning opportunities, lower grades and, in many cases, failure for the course. Prompt and regular attendance enhances the likelihood of student achievement while also instilling habits that will prepare graduates for success in the workplace.

With the approval of the chief academic officer, individual programs/disciplines/departments may establish specific requirements for attendance in individual courses. Those requirements will be reflected in the course syllabus. Financial aid recipients are responsible for meeting attendance requirements in order to maintain scholarship or financial aid eligibility. Faculty will record and report attendance for all students, including those receiving financial aid or veterans benefits.

Attendance recording. Attendance must be reported by the instructor for each course in which the student is enrolled before any eligible financial aid is applied to the student’s account balance and the student, if eligible, can receive a financial aid check. Attendance for veterans receiving benefits is reported during the add period and monthly thereafter. Students enrolled in distance learning courses must meet instructor requirements for communication and completion of assignments to be reported as attending. (See also Return of Title IV Funds  in the Financial Aid section of this Catalog.)

Grading system. Grades become available as they are received and processed. However, official transcripts cannot be generated for mini-term courses until the end of each semester. Letter grades are used to indicate the quality of a student’s work, the student’s knowledge of the subject, their ability to apply this knowledge and their work habits and practices.

The academic standing of a student is expressed in terms of a grade point average (GPA). The GPA is determined by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credit hours attempted. Grades described below are not included in the standard calculation of GPA.

I (Incomplete). An Incomplete or I grade indicates that a student was passing a course at the end of the semester but was unable to complete all the requirements due to uncontrollable circumstances. It also indicates that the instructor approved the student’s request to complete the remaining requirement(s) on or before instructor-specified dates. In corequisite courses in English, reading and math, an I grade may be assigned in the college-level course only. Instructors elect to assign I grades only in highly unusual situations; I grades cannot be assigned to allow students to raise deficient grades by submitting additional work or by repeating any part of a course.

Incomplete grades are replaced with earned course grades when students fulfill instructors’ expectations for course completion; otherwise, students whose academic performance is judged as unsatisfactory by the instructor or who do not submit required assignments in a timely manner are assigned F grades. Unless the I is changed by the instructor prior to the date published in the Catalog, the I converts to an F grade. Spring and summer Incompletes must be removed by midterm of the following fall; fall semester Incompletes must be removed by midterm of the following spring. The instructor has the prerogative to limit the time allowed for completion. Incompletes also become F grades if students enroll in the same course in the semester after an I is received unless the course is dropped before registration ends. An I grade is not counted in the student’s GPA at the time it is received. The grade replacing the I is included in the GPA. Warning to financial aid recipients: The I grade is considered an F in determining financial aid eligibility.

FA. The grade of FA indicates the student failed due to stopped attendance.

AU (Audit). This grade indicates the student elected to enroll in the course for no grade and no credit. Audits do not replace grades previously issued, and in corequisite courses in English, reading and math, only the college-level course may be audited. Audit students are expected to attend class. A student can change from audit to credit or credit to audit through the last day to add a course for each semester. (See the Academic Calendar .) To audit a course, the student must so indicate during the registration or drop/add process.

W (Withdrawal). A grade of W indicates a student has officially withdrawn from a course after the deadline to drop a course without a grade of W as published in the Academic Calendar. A student may officially withdraw from any course during the first two-thirds of the term. The deadline to drop a course with a grade of W is also published in the Academic Calendar. A W grade will not be computed in the GPA, but it does count in attempted hours. (See Drop, Add and Withdrawal Standards  in the Admissions and Registration section.)

P (Pass). This grade indicates a student successfully completed and has been awarded credit for a course. This grade is not computed in the GPA.

NP (No Pass). This grade indicates a student did not successfully complete a course and was not awarded credit. This grade is not computed in the GPA.

Repeat. A student may repeat a course for the purpose of increasing the mastery necessary for successful performance in a later course or for the purpose of increasing his or her GPA. In computing the GPA of a student who has repeated one or more courses, Pellissippi State will count only the highest grade received in the repeated course and count hours attempted only once, provided the number of repeats in any single course does not exceed two (three attempts). In the event a student repeats a course more than twice, the grade in the third and later attempts shall be used in determining the GPA. Students may be permitted to repeat a course in which a grade of B or higher was earned only with the approval of the chief academic officer.

Veterans repeating courses for which they have passing grades (D or higher) are advised to speak with the College’s Veterans Administration VA certifying official concerning eligibility for benefits since the VA typically does not pay to repeat a course that has been passed.

Academic awards and honors. Students graduating with the following grade point averages in college-level courses will receive an honors designation on their diplomas:

In addition to graduation honors, Pellissippi State recognizes outstanding college-level students through the Dean’s Honor List (3.50-4.00 GPA). Students are eligible for the Dean’s Honor List upon completion of 12 college-level hours per term of Pellissippi State coursework.

Other significant recognition is presented to outstanding graduates as selected by faculty. Only college-level courses are considered in determining eligibility for academic awards, honors or Dean’s Honor List.

Course waiver and substitution. Under special circumstances, a course may be waived by the dean with approval from the chief academic officer (except corequisite courses for English, reading and math). Course waivers and substitutions are made in the context of program requirements and must maintain the integrity of the program. Waivers and substitutions are not permitted for General Education courses or University Parallel/Transfer Pathways. Waivers are granted when necessitated by course deletions or other curriculum changes. Since no credit is awarded for a course waiver, a course of equal or greater credit must be substituted for a course that has been waived.

Maximum load. The maximum load for a full-time student per semester during the academic year is 20 credit hours. The maximum load for a full-time student during the summer is 14 credit hours. Any student requesting a course load above 20 hours during the academic year or above 14 hours during the summer must have chief academic officer approval.

Independent study. Generally, only courses that are not offered in the regular class schedule and are required for graduation within one term may be considered for independent study. Students who can prove to the satisfaction of faculty that they are capable of independently mastering the content of a course may be eligible to enroll in a course on an independent study basis. Permission must be granted by the instructor and the dean responsible for the course. Fees for independent study courses are the same as those assessed for traditional courses. Students are given one semester to complete a course taken as an independent study.

Faculty members will assess for mastery of student learning outcomes as the student progresses through the assigned material. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with the faculty member periodically to provide progress reports and to arrange to complete course material.

If the independent study course is passed, the student is awarded full course credit. If the course is failed, the student may not subsequently request another independent study of that course. Grades of A, B, C, D, F, W or I are assigned.

Student Complaints

Pellissippi State strives to provide the best instructional atmosphere and level of service to students. At times, however, students may have an issue, concern or complaint regarding their educational experience. In such cases, the College strives to resolve issues as quickly as possible and at the level closest to the issue. Students should follow the procedures listed below to resolve their concerns or complaints.

A. Concerns or Complaints

Informal Resolution

1. Complaint regarding a class or instructor: The first step a student must take in resolving a complaint regarding an academic situation is to discuss it with the faculty member directly. If that discussion does not resolve the issue, the student should speak to the dean of the academic department. If there is no resolution at that level, the student may file a formal written complaint as explained below.
2. Complaint about another student: The first step is to discuss the concern with the other student. If the student with the concern is uncomfortable addressing the other student, he or she may contact the Police Department or the dean of students at the Hardin Valley Campus or the dean at the Blount County, Magnolia Avenue or Strawberry Plains Campus. If there is no resolution at that level, the student may file a formal written complaint as explained below.
3. Other complaints: If the student has a complaint regarding services (e.g., financial aid, facilities, advising, registration, admissions, computer accounts, etc.), he or she should first attempt to resolve the issue by speaking with a staff member or supervisor in that department. If the issue is not resolved at that level, the student may file a formal written complaint as explained below.

Formal Resolution

A student who has attempted informal resolution without success may file a formal complaint. The student should fully complete and submit the Student Complaint form. This form will be submitted to the vice president responsible for the area in which the student has a concern. The vice president, or designee, will conduct an investigation within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. The vice president, or designee, will communicate the outcome of the investigation to the student in no more than 30 working days of receiving the complaint.

Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of state law not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint form to the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1 Bridgestone Park, Third Floor, Nashville Tennessee 37214, or by filling out the form electronically on the TBR website. Under Tennessee’s open records law, all or parts of complaints will generally be available for review upon request from a member of the public.

Complaints regarding accreditation can also be made by contacting the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone: 404-679-4500, SACSCOC website. Complaints of fraud, waste or abuse may be made by email at reportfraud@tbr.edu or by calling the Tennessee Comptroller’s Hotline for Fraud, Waste and Abuse at 800-232-5454.

B.  Academic Grade Appeal

An academic grade appeal is a formal request brought by a student to challenge a grade. An academic grade appeal will be considered if there is evidence of one or more of the following conditions that have adversely affected the student’s grade:

• error in calculation of grade
• substantial deviation from the syllabus
• clear violation of Pellissippi State Community College and/or the Tennessee Board of Regents policies

Students have a right to a clear explanation (from the instructor or dean, as appropriate) of actions taken by the instructor, such as how a grade was calculated. An appeal will not be considered because of general dissatisfaction with a grade, penalty or outcome of a course. Disagreement with the instructor’s professional judgment of the quality of the student’s work and performance is also not an admissible basis for an academic grade appeal. Grade appeals must be initiated within one year of the conclusion of the course.

The Academic Grade Appeal process has two steps:

Informal Appeal

Before a student may bring a formal academic appeal, the student wanting to appeal must first meet with the instructor to request that a change be made. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome or cannot consult with the instructor, that student must meet with the appropriate academic dean to determine if a resolution can be reached.

Formal Appeal

If a resolution is not reached after the Informal Appeal Process is completed and the student desires to continue the appeal, the student must complete the Academic Appeal form and submit it to the academic department dean for that course within five business days of notification of the completion of the Informal Process.  Failure to initiate the Formal Process of Appeal within five business days, absent good cause, constitutes acceptance of the result of the Informal Process of Academic Appeal and waiver of the right to a Formal Appeal. Submission of the form will initiate the appeal process, which will proceed as follows:

1. If the academic dean determines that the appeal does not meet the requirements of this policy, the academic dean shall communicate this in writing to the student. If the academic dean determines that the appeal is appropriate under this policy, the academic dean will notify the chief academic officer to convene the Academic Appeals Committee to consider the appeal.

2. The academic dean will forward the Academic Appeal Form to the chief academic officer, who will convene the Academic Appeals Committee. This committee is made up of five faculty members and two students. (For further information regarding the Academic Appeals Committee, please refer to Policy 08:01:00 Committee Structure and Memberships.) The chief academic officer, or designee, will coordinate the committee hearing, but will not vote. Any individual involved with or who has an interest in the outcome will not sit in judgment as a member of the hearing committee.

3. The Academic Appeals Committee will set a date for the hearing within 15 business days of the student appeal. The student must be notified of the date, time and location of the hearing as soon as possible, but given a minimum of one week’s notice. The student has the following rights applicable at the hearing:
   1. the right to present his or her case;
   2. the right to be accompanied by an advisor. The hearing committee may restrict the advisor’s right to speak at the hearing.
4. The committee will then conduct the appeal hearing, consider all the evidence presented and make a decision by two-thirds vote. The committee can either uphold or overturn the action of the instructor. 
5. The chief academic officer will send the student written notification of the decision of the Academic Appeals Committee within 10 business days of the hearing. 
6. The decision of the Academic Appeals Committee is final.

NOTE: Complaints regarding discrimination or harassment should be directed to the Executive Director, Equity and Compliance, Room 258A, Goins Building, Hardin Valley Campus, (865) 539-7401.

Corequisite Courses/Learning Support

In order to be successful in college-level courses, students must have foundational knowledge and skills. Pellissippi State provides learning support in specially designed corequisite courses in English, reading and math. First-time degree-seeking students must submit valid ACT or SAT scores or be placed into the appropriate corequisite learning support courses with the option to take the Accuplacer challenge test. Valid ACT or SAT scores are those earned within five years prior to the first day of the first term of enrollment. Transfer students whose records do not include transfer credit in English and mathematics and who do not provide valid ACT or SAT scores will be placed in corequisite learning support and college-level courses with an opportunity to take the Accuplacer to challenge that placement. Testing must be completed before the first day of classes. (See the Academic Calendar  for the testing deadline.)

All students who test into reading courses must take COLL 1500 College Success  as a corequisite.

Academic Probation and Suspension

A student who fails during any term to attain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for the credit hours attempted will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent term. At the end of the next term of enrollment, for a student on academic probation who fails to attain a cumulative 2.0 GPA but earns a minimum 2.0 term GPA, the probationary status will be extended. If a student does not attain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and does not earn a minimum 2.0 term GPA, the student will be suspended for a minimum of one term. The second occurrence of suspension will subject the student to a three-term suspension. The summer term may not be counted towards the term of suspension; however, summer term is included in the three-term suspension, and a student may not attend summer classes while on suspension.

Appeals: A student who has been suspended may request continuance because of special circumstances through the Student Affairs division. A student allowed to continue will receive academic counseling and will develop an academic intervention plan that could result in a reduction in course load; redirection in program selection, testing and/or course placement; and required attendance at workshops on topics related to academic planning and goal setting.

Graduation Requirements

Requirements include the following:

1. Minimum residence for associate degrees. At least 25% of the credit hours for an associate degree must be completed at Pellissippi State. In addition, at least 12 hours of coursework in the major preceding graduation with an Associate of Applied Science degree must be completed at Pellissippi State.
   Minimum residence for certificates. Twenty-five percent or more of the total credit hours required for certificate completion must be completed at Pellissippi State.
2. Minimum credit hours. Each candidate must complete at least 60 credit hours to be eligible for the associate degree.
3. Minimum grade point average. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on all college-level coursework at Pellissippi State is required for graduation.
4. Program of Study. Completion of the curriculum for the chosen program is required for graduation.
5. Degree application. Each prospective candidate must apply to graduate by the announced deadline in the semester of anticipated graduation. Students must meet with an academic advisor in order to apply to graduate through myPellissippi and to sign up for the exit exam.
6. Catalog option. A student must meet the requirements for graduation under any one catalog in effect during the student’s attendance at Pellissippi State, provided that the catalog used is within six years of the date of graduation for degree programs. Articulation agreements may specify shorter completion periods. This option does not exempt anyone from the general requirements of Pellissippi State.
7. Exit testing. Each graduating student is required by the Tennessee Board of Regents to take a test of general education competency (exit exam). The exam is a test of college-level skills in reading, writing, critical thinking and mathematics. It is designed to measure the academic skills developed through general education courses, rather than the subject knowledge specifically taught in those courses. This test does not affect the student’s graduating status; it is a measure of how well Pellissippi State educates its students. Students are encouraged to do their best since Pellissippi State’s evaluation and future funding are based on student performance. Major testing also may be required in selected fields.
8. Associate of Science in Teaching. Candidates for the Associate of Science in Teaching degree must attain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75, successfully complete the Praxis Core exam or achieve an ACT Composite of 21 or higher, and achieve satisfactory disposition evaluation ratings. All A.S.T. students must meet the requirements of state law (TCA 49-5-413) by submitting to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation criminal history records check and supplying a fingerprint sample.  
9. Second Associate Degree. Candidates for a second associate degree must meet the following requirements:
   1. The first degree must have been awarded by Pellissippi State or another associate degree-granting institution of higher learning.
   2. A minimum of 15 semester hours of coursework must have been completed at Pellissippi State beyond requirements for the first associate degree.
   3. All curriculum requirements for Pellissippi State must be met.
   4. A 2.0 grade point average must be attained on all college-level coursework.
   5. A second degree cannot be awarded under the same Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code as the first degree.
   6. A second concentration can be awarded if there are specific required courses, not electives, which differentiate the two concentrations. All required courses must be completed for each concentration.

Commencement ceremonies are scheduled at the end of the fall and spring semesters of each academic year.