Semester Length
Each Fall and Spring semester is approximately 16 weeks in length. The Summer session consists of three separate and distinct sessions, two of which are four weeks in length and one of which is eight weeks in length. Winter session is a four-week online term.
Course Types
Traditional Web Enhanced
A course is delivered in a traditional face-to-face classroom environment where the instructor and students are in the same place. A face-to-face course can be supplemented with an online component for accessing the syllabus, notes, PowerPoints, videos, etc., but students are expected to attend all class sessions in person. One hundred percent of the course content is delivered face-to-face.
Hybrid
A hybrid course combines face-to-face class time with online components for accessing or submitting course work. Hybrid courses meet a portion of time in an online classroom setting as outlined in the course syllabus. Students will be expected to attend scheduled class sessions in person and complete course work online. Thirty to seventy percent of the course is delivered face-to-face in the classroom, with the remaining content delivered asynchronously online.
Synchronous Online
A synchronous online course is delivered online; however, students are required to attend virtual class sessions with the instructor via video conferencing technology at a specifically scheduled time outlined in the course syllabus. Thirty to seventy percent of course content is delivered face-to-face through web-conferencing, with the remaining content delivered asynchronously online.
Online
A course in which all content, activities, and instruction are delivered online asynchronously. In most cases, there are no required face-to-face sessions and no requirements of on-campus activity. Some courses may require testing, proctoring, or other in-person activities, which will be communicated in the course syllabus. One hundred percent of the course content is delivered online.
Interactive Television ITV
An interactive television (ITV) course replicates a face-to-face classroom by using web conferencing or other technology to provide interactive real-time (synchronous) communication between the instructor and students at the campus and/or external locations. An ITV course can be supplemented with an online component for accessing the syllabus, notes, PowerPoints, videos, etc., but students are expected to attend all class sessions in person. One hundred percent of the course content is delivered face-to-face in the classroom or through video conferencing.
Prerequisites and Corequisites
A prerequisite is a course you must successfully complete before enrolling in another course. A corequisite is a course you must enroll in at the same time as another course unless you have already completed the corequisite. Prerequisites and corequisites are listed in the course descriptions section.
Credit Hour
A credit hour is the unit of measure for college coursework. One credit hour is earned by attending a non-laboratory class for 50 minutes a week per semester. For laboratory, clinical, and internship courses, one credit hour/semester hour is granted for two or three hours of coursework per week. Online/hybrid courses meet the credit hour requirement through a time on task calculation as outlined in
IR 6520 Online Learning.
Go to trcc.edu/about/policies-and-regulations/ for more information.
Academic Load
The normal academic load in a Fall or Spring semester is 15 to 16 semester credit hours, exclusive of physical education and musical groups. If you have considerable responsibilities in addition to your college work, a reduced course load might be best. If you wish to take more than 21 credit hours during a Fall or Spring semester, permission must be granted by the appropriate division chairperson. For students with less than a 3.0 GPA, additional permission of the Chief Academic Officer is needed.
Go to trcc.edu/about/policies-and-regulations/ for more information.
Grading System
The grades A, B, C, D, F, P, and NP are used to evaluate the quality of your work and are defined as follows:
| Grade |
Quality of Work |
Points per Credit |
| A |
Excellent |
4 |
| B |
Above Average |
3 |
| C |
Average |
2 |
| D |
Below Average |
1 |
| F |
Failing |
0 |
| P |
Pass |
|
| NP |
No Pass |
|
There are certain noncredit marks issued by instructors as follows:
| Noncredit Grade |
Explanation |
| W |
Withdrawn |
| AUD |
Audit |
Grade Point Average
Your grade point average (GPA) is determined by multiplying the number of grade points for each grade received by the number of semester hours for that course. This total is divided by the total number of semester hours attempted excluding courses with W, P, or NP grade.
The courses accepted by Three Rivers from other institutions are included in the cumulative grade point average.
Change of Grade
A grade that has been transcripted can be changed only if there has been an error on the part of the instructor, a clerical error, or after a successful student appeal.
Repeating Courses
You may take (repeat) a course multiple times. Courses that have been repeated will be noted on your transcript and only the highest grade will be calculated in your GPA. Financial aid limits payments for repeated courses.
Reporting Grades
At the close of the semester, your grades will be available on your myTRCC Self-Service account.
Course Extensions
If you are unable to complete the coursework because of extenuating circumstances, you should speak to your instructor about an extension. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the coursework must be completed with a passing grade and instructor permission is required for an extension. A grade will be issued for completed work at the end of the semester and will remain until the agreed date of the extension is met. Once the extension date is met, the grade will be changed or remain the same depending on whether additional coursework has been completed.
Academic Honors
Deans List
If you were enrolled for 12 or more graded credit hours and earned a semester GPA of 3.5 or better, you will be listed on the Dean’s List for that semester.
Graduation Honors
If you complete your program with the following overall grade point averages, you will graduate with the following distinction:
- 3.5 – 3.69 will graduate with Cum Laude
- 3.7 – 3.89 will graduate with Magna Cum Laude
- 3.9 – 4.0 will graduate with Summa Cum Laude
For purposes of the commencement ceremony and graduation program, the cumulative grade point average from the preceding semester will be used to identify honor students. However, the final cumulative grade point average will be used to determine final honors status and will be noted on the official College transcript and diploma.
Academic Fresh Start
If you have not attended an institution of higher learning for at least three (3) years, you may be enrolled in the Academic Fresh Start program upon re-enrollment. Academic Fresh Start shall be granted when the following conditions are met:
- Complete a minimum of twelve (12) hours of coursework for which a letter grade is earned over two (2) consecutive semesters.
- Achieve satisfactory academic progress standards as measured by the GPA of the twelve (12) credit hours of coursework enrolled in after entering the Academic Fresh Start Program.
Upon the granting of Academic Fresh Start, your permanent record will note the date a Fresh Start was made, and your grade point average and credit totals will be based only on work beginning with that date and work successfully completed previously. Academic Fresh Start will be granted only once. If you do not successfully complete the process described above, you will not be granted an academic fresh start.
Academic Fresh Start is a Three Rivers procedure and may not be recognized by another college upon transfer. Academic Fresh Start has no impact on financial status.
Go to trcc.edu/about/policies-and-regulations/ for more information.
Change of Program
To change Advising Guide/programs, go to myTRCC and choose Change of Program card, complete and submit.
Please speak with your advisor before making a change.
Program_Advising Guide Selection
You can choose from many programs to either prepare to transfer to a four-year college or to seek employment, simply mark your choice on the application or speak to your advisor.
General Conduct
As a member of the learning community at Three Rivers, you are expected to conduct yourself with integrity, honesty, and observe the rules and regulations of the College. The College code of conduct and associated disciplinary procedures are available from the Office of the Dean of Student Services, and at trcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/SR2610.pdf.
Academic Honesty
You are expected to fulfill your academic responsibilities in an honest and forthright manner. Examples of prohibited behavior include but are not limited to:
- Plagiarizing another’s work (such as using another’s phrasing, concepts, or line of reasoning as your own without giving proper credit to the author or creator); submitting course assignments that are not your own.
- Submitting the same paper in different classes without prior approval from both instructors.
- Cheating (the use of any unauthorized means to gain academic advantage on assignments, laboratory reports, or examinations).
- Acquiring or using test materials without faculty knowledge.
- Accessing any information, resource, and/or means of communication during an exam or assignment without specific authorization from the professor.
- Failing to follow class policy.
- Obtaining academic benefits through computer fraud or unauthorized access; engaging in academic fraud alone or with others.
- Using material downloaded off the internet without proper citation; illicitly attempting to influence grading; and
- Failing to abide by test-taking procedures.
Go to SR 2610 Student Code of Conduct for more information.
Late for Class
If the instructor does not appear within 10 minutes after the time scheduled for the beginning of class, please contact the Office of the Chief Academic Officer at 573-840-9689, who will notify you if the class is to be dismissed.
Military Active Duty
If you are called to active-duty status during a semester, present a copy of the active-duty orders to the Dean of Student Services office on the 1st floor of the Westover Administration Building. If you have not completed 75% of the coursework, you will be withdrawn with 100% tuition and fees credited. If you have completed 75% or more of the coursework, a grade will be issued based on the work completed, or you will be allowed to finish the coursework within a set period of time.
If you are called to duty for a period of two weeks or less, you should notify both your instructor and the Dean of Student Services. Your absence will be considered excused, and you will be allowed to make up any missed work.
Go to trcc.edu/about/policies-and-regulations/ for more information.
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices, including, but not limited to, laptop/netbook computers, cellular devices, e-readers, and MP3 players will be turned off within the learning environment. Exceptions include the use of such devices for medical emergencies or contacts that must be maintained due to work requirements. In such cases you must advise the instructor, and the device must be in “silent mode.” The instructor may make adjustments to this regulation for specific usage in their unique learning environments. The usage of such electronic devices in relation to approved ADA accommodations is exempt from this regulation.
Go to trcc.edu/about/policies-and-regulations/ for more information.
Photo and Video
The College takes photos and video throughout the year that often include students in classrooms, study areas, residence halls, athletic events, and so forth. By enrolling, you consent to the use of these photographs and video publications, both printed and electronic, for publicity.