IP 6101 Academic Fresh Start
| Section: 6000 Instruction |
| Sub Section: 6100 Academic Standards |
| Title: IP 6101 Academic Fresh Start |
| Associated Policies: NA |
| Associated Regulations: SR 2210 Admission Requirements |
| References: NA |
| Supersedes: NA |
| Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer |
| Initial Approval: 05-17-2017 |
Last Revision: |
Three Rivers College is committed to providing students with a second chance at college success. Therefore, a student who has not attended an institution of higher learning for at least three (3) years, shall be enrolled in the Three Rivers College Academic Fresh Start Program upon re-enrollment. When successfully completed as outlined herein, Academic Fresh Start shall be dated as the date of re-enrollment and will remove the courses the student took but failed to complete successfully prior to the Academic Fresh Start from the calculation of the GPA.
Academic Fresh Start shall be granted when the following conditions are met:
- Completion of a minimum of twelve (12) hours of coursework for which a letter grade is earned over two (2) consecutive semesters (not counting summer).
- Achieve satisfactory academic progress standards as measured by the grade point average (GPA) of the twelve (12) credit hours of coursework enrolled in after entering the Academic Fresh Start Program.
If the conditions herein are met, Academic Fresh Start shall be granted, and the permanent record of the student will note the date a Fresh Start was made as the date of re-enrollment. Thereafter, the student’s grade point average and credit totals will be based only on the coursework after the awarding of Academic Fresh Start and shall also include all coursework completed at the college prior to the awarding of Academic Fresh Start in which a passing grade was earned. All coursework shall remain recorded on the transcript.
Academic Fresh Start may be granted only once. Students who do not successfully complete the process herein shall not be granted an academic fresh start.
Academic Fresh Start is a Three Rivers College procedure and applies only to coursework completed at Three Rivers. The Academic Fresh Start may not be recognized by other institutions upon transfer.
Academic Fresh Start has no impact on financial status.
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
| 05-17-2017: |
|
Initial approval of policy IP 6101 Academic Fresh Start. |
IP 6102 Transfer Credit
| Section: 6000 Instruction |
| Sub Section: 6100 Academic Standards |
| Title: IP 6102 Transfer Credit |
| Associated Policies: NA |
| Associated Regulations: NA |
| References: NA |
| Supersedes: NA |
| Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer; Chief Student Services Officer |
| Initial Approval: 06-21-2017 |
Last Revision: 11-20-2019
|
Three Rivers College will accept the academic credits earned in a student’s chosen academic program from institutions of higher education when the course content and teaching faculty can reasonably be assumed or determined to be equal to that at Three Rivers. Only courses which will count toward a degree program at Three Rivers College from accredited schools previously attended will be transcripted. If credit for a course is not accepted by Three Rivers, the student may request review from the Chief Academic Officer. Once the credit becomes a part of the student’s official record at Three Rivers, it will not be removed.
Recognized Accreditors
Three Rivers College will accept and transcript as transfer credit, college level courses completed at colleges and universities accredited by the following accrediting agencies: Middle States Commission on Higher Education, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and Council on Occupational Education. Credit earned at other institutions will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Similar transfer courses are equated to Three Rivers College courses. Non-equivalent transfer courses may be counted as electives. Students must request an official transcript from each institution attended be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar. Only official transcripts will be evaluated. The college does not accept transcripts that have been scanned, emailed, or opened by the student.
Official Transcripts
Only official transcripts will be accepted for transfer credit evaluation purposes. Official transcripts can be received in the following ways:
- Unopened envelope mailed or hand-delivered to the Office of the Registrar
- Electronically through National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, eSCRIPT-SAFE, etc.
If coursework has been completed at a college/university outside of the U.S., transcripts/diplomas must be evaluated by AACRAO (http://ies.aacrao.org), members of NACES (http://naces.org), or other professional credential evaluation companies. Students should obtain “course by course” evaluations. Students are responsible for paying any fees associated with the credential evaluation process.
Credentials for a student transferring from a foreign institution accredited by a U.S. regional accreditor do not need to be evaluated by one of the organizations listed but must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.
Students may view their transcripts from other institutions but will not be provided a hard copy once they are submitted to Three Rivers College to become part of the permanent record.
Credit Equivalencies
College Level
Three Rivers College will evaluate the coursework for transfer credit regardless of the method of delivery, including online and dual credit. Transfer of academic credits is evaluated on a course-by-course basis and is ultimately decided by the department chair. The course is evaluated by comparing the course name and credit hours. In addition, the course description may be used to evaluate the transfer equivalency. In order to receive transfer credit, the course must be substantially equivalent to a course offered at Three Rivers. Transfer courses that are substantially equivalent to a course offered at Three Rivers College will transfer as a direct course. Transfer courses that do not have a direct course equivalent at Three Rivers may transfer as elective credits within the appropriate academic department.
Core 42- hour General Education
Block
Three Rivers College adheres to the guidelines set forth in the Credit Transfer: Guidelines for Student Transfer and Articulation among Missouri Colleges and Universities, approved by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE). Under these guidelines, students who transfer from Missouri public colleges and universities and Missouri private institutions that adhere to these guidelines will be considered as having met the Three Rivers College
general education requirements if they complete the Missouri Core 42 credit hour block of general education credit or the designated general education programs at the other institution, provided that the institution certifies the student’s completion of that program.
Remedial or Developmental
Remedial or developmental credit will be utilized for placement purposes or when needed as pre-requisites.
Graduate Level
Graduate level coursework will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Nursing and Allied Health
Three Rivers Nursing and Allied Health department does not generally accept transfer credits for Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Emergency Medical Services, and Occupational Therapy courses. Courses in these programs shall only be transferred after review and approval of the appropriate Department Chair.
Minimum Requirements
Courses must have a grade of D or better.
A student must earn at least 15 credits from Three Rivers College to earn a degree. Transfer credits are evaluated only from an official transcript; a course description from the term the course was taken may also be required.
Maximum Number of Transfer Credits
The maximum number of transfer credits, including alternative forms of credit, acceptable towards a student’s academic program is seventy-five percent (75%) of the program’s required credits.
Time Limits for Transfer Credit
There are no time limits for transfer credit.
Evaluation of Transfer Credits
Students must provide all credentials for evaluation at least two weeks before registering to guarantee transfer credits will be evaluated before selecting classes. The Registrar’s office, in conjunction with a department chair, will evaluate the eligibility of transfer credit. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial advising purposes only.
GPA
All courses transferred to Three Rivers College will calculate in the cumulative GPA with courses taken at Three Rivers College, including quality points, grade points and grade point average and will be used to calculate honors for graduation. Repeated courses from an incoming transcript will be treated the same way as repeated courses taken at Three Rivers College with regard to GPA calculation.
Quarter Hour Conversion
Quarter hour courses will be converted to semester credits to determine credit hour eligibility. The conversion for quarter hours to semester hours is 1 quarter hour = .667 semester hours. For example, a course with 5 quarters hours would transfer as 3.33 semester hours. (5 x .667 = 3.33)
Credit for Prior Learning
Refer to IP and IR 6111 Alternative College Credit.
Office of the Registrar
Questions regarding transfer of credit policy, regulations, and procedures should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
| 06-21-2017: |
|
Initial approval of policy IP 6102 Transfer Credit. |
11-20-2019:
|
|
Clarification of the treatment of repeated classes being transferred with regard to GPA calculation.
|
IP 6104 Minimum Class Size
| Section: 6000 Instruction |
| Sub Section: 6100 Academic Standards |
| Title: IP 6104 Minimum Class Size |
| Associated Policies: NA |
| Associated Regulations: NA |
| References: NA |
| Supersedes: NA |
| Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer |
| Initial Approval: 05-17-2017 |
Last Revision:
|
Three Rivers College course offerings strive to provide the opportunity for students to satisfy all program completion requirements in a timely manner. To accomplish this, the college has established this policy to ensure that required courses are offered regularly and in a sequential order. In addition, minimum class size requirements and exceptions to minimum enrollments have been established to provide for efficient and responsible management of course offerings. The procedures and guidelines regarding minimum class size requirements are outlined in specific detail herein. Non-credit courses are exempted from the provisions herein but shall, at a minimum, cover the costs of the non-credit course.
Definitions:
Required Program Courses: are those courses that are required for program completion in either an associate degree or certificate program.
Other Courses: are those courses that fulfill partial program requirements such as: general education, required related, approved elective, and free elective courses.
Class Size Requirements for Required Major and Other Courses
All lecture courses will have a minimum of ten (10) students enrolled in order for a class to be offered. All laboratory courses will have a minimum of ten (10) students enrolled in order for the class to be offered.
- Any course offered with fewer than the minimum requirement shall have a prorated rate of pay at 1/10th per student enrolled. Classes not meeting minimum enrollment requirements shall not be placed in the normal teaching load of a faculty member while an overload course is paid at the full rate.
- Program requirements for which there is one section and no curricular alternative shall be considered in load.
Exceptions to Class Size Requirements
The following may be used as justifications for exceptions to the minimum enrollment requirements:
- New program course offerings.
- New course offerings in already existing programs.
- Rotation course offerings.
- Customized course offerings.
- Atypical course offerings.
- Classroom size and design limitations (e.g., for science, computer and fine art lab courses).
- Clinical experience.
Course Sequence
Courses that are required for an associate degree or certificate will be offered on a regularly scheduled basis, at least once per academic year, in order for students to satisfy all program completion requirements.
Responsibilities
Each Departmental Chairperson shall:
- Ensure that courses that are required for program completion, as well as those that fulfill other program requirements, are offered on a regular basis and in sequential order; and
- Ensure that criteria for minimum class enrollment are adhered to and requests for exceptions are submitted in a timely manner.
The Chief Academic Officer maintains final approval on all class sizes, exceptions to minimum course enrollment, and course offerings.
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
05-17-2017:
|
|
Initial approval of policy IP 6104 Minimum Class Size. |
IP 6105 Student Course Load
| Section: 6000 Instruction |
| Sub Section: 6100 Academic Standards |
| Title: IP 6105 Student Course Load |
| Associated Policies: NA |
| Associated Regulations: IR 6105 Student Course Load |
| References: NA |
| Supersedes: NA |
| Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer |
| Initial Approval: 03-22-2017 |
Last Revision: |
Three Rivers College has established minimum and maximum course loads for full-time students during the fall or spring semester, summer session, and intersession periods. These course loads are based on the type of semester (fall or spring semester, summer session, or intersession) and each student’s academic standing at the college.
Generally, full-time students are not permitted to be enrolled in courses beyond the number of credits that constitutes a maximum student course load for a semester, a summer session, or an intersession without prior approval by the chairperson of the department housing the student’s program (or his/her designee).
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
| 03-22-2017: |
|
Initial approval of policy IP 6105 Student Course Load. |
IP 6107 College Catalog
| Section: 6000 Instruction |
| Sub Section: 6100 Academic Standards |
| Title: IP 6107 College Catalog |
| Associated Policies: NA |
| Associated Regulations: GAR 1110 Policy and Regulation Development |
| References: NA |
| Supersedes: NA |
| Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer |
| Initial Approval: 11-15-2017 |
Last Revision: |
The Three Rivers College Catalog is an official document of the College. The catalog guides students through their time of study at the College by providing critical information on the College’s academic programs and their requirements, the services and programs available to students, the College’s regulations and policies, and its operational procedures.
The College Catalog does not constitute a contract between the College and the student and is not intended to be a complete statement of all procedures, policies, rules, and regulations. Students are responsible for knowing and following the regulations, policies, academic program, and graduation requirements cited in the catalog, unless subsequent policies and regulations have been established.
The College reserves the right to change, without notice, any academic or other requirements, course offerings, content, programs, procedures, rules, regulations, or fees as deemed necessary. The most recently published College catalog is the governing version and is published on the College website along with the most current version of College policies and regulations.
The College catalog in effect at the time of first enrollment is considered the students catalog of entry. For purposes of meeting graduation requirements, a student may use any College catalog in effect during a year in which the student was enrolled at the College that is no older than five years.
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
| 11-15-2017: |
|
Initial approval of policy IP 6107 College Catalog Policy. |
IP 6110 Definition of a Credit Hour
| Section: 6000 Instruction |
| Sub Section: IP 6100 Academic Standards |
| Title: IP 6110 Definition of Credit Hour |
| Associated Policies: IP 6510 Distance Learning; IP 6210 Curriculum Development |
| Associated Regulations: IR 6520 Online Learning; IR 6211 Curriculum Development |
| References: Department of Education 34 CFR 600.2 and 34 CFR 668.8; Higher Learning Commission Criteria for Accreditation and Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education (Online Learning); Standard Carnegie Unit for Time on Task; Quality Matters Standards (QM) |
| Supersedes: NA |
| Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer |
| Initial Approval: 08-28-2013 |
Last Revision: |
The semester credit hour is the unit of measure for college-credit course work. Three Rivers College’s assignment of credit hours shall conform to commonly accepted practices in higher education. The college, as a participant in Title IV federal financial aid, shall demonstrate that it has regulations determining the credit hours awarded to courses, that programs are keeping with commonly-accepted practices and with the federal definition of the credit hour, and has procedures that result in an appropriate awarding of institutional credit in conformity with this policy.
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
| 03-25-2015: |
|
Initial approval of policy IP 6110 Definition of Credit Hour. |
09-16-2015:
|
|
Revision of position title Vice President of Learning to Chief Academic Officer.
|
09-21-2016:
|
|
The College Board of Trustees approved the name change of the college from Three Rivers Community College to Three Rivers College.
|
IP 6111 Alternative College Credit
| Section: 6000 Instruction |
| Sub Section: 6100 Academic Standards |
| Title: IP 6111 Alternative College Credit |
| Associated Policies: NA |
| Associated Regulations: IR 6111 Alternative College Credit |
| References: Missouri Credit for Prior Learning Model 2013 |
| Supersedes: NA |
| Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer |
| Initial Approval: 08-28-2013 |
Last Revision: 02-19-2020 |
Three Rivers College supports the concept of life-long learning and advocates the Alternative College Credit method for students who qualify. This policy is designed to inform Three Rivers College students, faculty, and staff of methods that could be used to obtain Alternative College Credits at the college. Methods of Alternative College Credit recognized by the college are CLEP, AP, and Credit for Prior Learning.
Methods for Awarding Alternative College Credit
Three Rivers College uses several methods designed to grant alternative college credit to students with a wide variety of educational experiences. Students are encouraged to consult a program advisor regarding the use of alternative college credit in their educational planning. Any student enrolled at Three Rivers College who has or would like to participate in the following may be eligible:
• Standardized Tests (CLEP, AP Credit, ACT, etc.)
• Credit for Prior Learning: Business, Industry Credentials, and Military Training
• Articulation Agreements between Three Rivers College, area High Schools and Career and Technical Centers.
Credit for Prior Learning
To be considered for Credit for Prior Learning a student must be enrolled at the college, and have successfully completed a minimum of (1 credit hour) transcribed to the student’s record from a course taken at the college. Credit for Prior Learning may be considered on a case by case basis depending on a student’s program of study.
Colleges and universities have different policies on the acceptance of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Three Rivers College cannot guarantee the transferability of CPL that has been granted by the college.
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
| 08-28-2013: |
|
Initial approval of Policy IP 6111 Credit for Non-Traditional Learning. |
| 10-21-2015: |
|
Revision of wording and policy title to Credit for Prior Learning and revised to reflect congruence with the Missouri Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) model.
|
06-22-2016:
|
|
Revision of Title “Alterative College Credit” and clarification of meaning thereof.
|
09-21-2016:
|
|
The College Board of Trustees approved the name change of the college from Three Rivers Community College to Three Rivers College
|
06-13-2017:
|
|
Minor language edits for clarification.
|
| 02-19-2020: |
|
Reference to fee removed.
|
IP 6112 Academic Freedom
| Section: 6000 Instruction |
| Sub Section: 6100 Academic Standards |
| Title: IP 6112 Academic Freedom |
| Associated Policies: NA |
| Associated Regulations: NA |
| References: 1940 Statement of Principles of the American Association of University Professors; interpretations were adopted by the Council of the American Association of University Professors in April 1970 and endorsed by AAUP Fifty-Sixth Annual Meeting as Association Policy; Policy Documents and Reports, American Association of University Professors, rev. 1977. |
| Supersedes: NA |
| Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer |
| Initial Approval: 05-18-2016 |
Last Revision: 09-21-2016 |
Three Rivers College affirms that institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good and not to further the interest of either the individual faculty member or the institution as a whole. Academic freedom is fundamental to the protection of the rights of the faculty member in teaching and the rights of the student to freedom in learning. However, these rights are qualified; selected examples of such qualifications are presented below. These examples are interpretive statements on academic freedom from the 1940 Statement of Principles of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). These interpretations were adopted by the AAUP in April 1970 and endorsed by the Fifty - Sixth Annual Meeting as Association Policy, these statements were further revised in 1977.
The college endorses academic freedom as essential to the search for truth and its free expression, both in teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. From an instructional basis, academic freedom is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty in their teaching discipline and of the student in the pursuit of advanced learning. It carries with it duties correlative with these rights. More specifically, the individual faculty member is:
- Entitled to full academic freedom in creative activity, research, and the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of his/her other academic responsibilities, but research for pecuniary return should follow the prescribed procedures approved by the institution.
- Entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but the faculty should be careful not to introduce into his/her teaching controversial matters which are not related to the subject matter.
A member of the faculty is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and a representative of the educational institution. When a member of the faculty speaks or writes as a citizen, he/she should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but his/her special position in the community imposes special obligations. As an individual in an academic community, he/she should remember that the public may judge his/her profession and his/her institution by his/her actions and statements. Hence, he/she should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that he/she is not an institutional spokesperson (Policy Documents and Reports, American Association of University Professors, rev. 1977).
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
| 05-18-2016: |
|
Initial approval of policy IP 6112 Academic Freedom. |
09-21-2016:
|
|
The College Board of Trustees approved the name change of the college from Three Rivers Community College to Three Rivers College.
|
IP 6120 Faculty Credentialing
| Section: 6000 Instruction |
| Sub Section: 6100 Academic Standards |
| Title: IP 6120 Faculty Credentialing |
| Associated Policies: GAP 1200 Equal Opportunity; BP 0120 Accreditation Status |
| Associated Regulations: PR 4170 College Hiring Procedure; IR 6120 Faculty Credentialing |
| References: Higher Learning Commission Criterion Three, Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support Section C.2; Higher Learning Commission, Determining Qualified Faculty through HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation and Assumed Practices |
| Supersedes: NA |
| Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer |
| Initial Approval: 02-15-2017 |
Last Revision: 12-07-2017 |
Three Rivers College and the Board of Trustees employ competent faculty who are qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the College and have appropriate credentials from a regionally accredited institution for their position. The college ensures full compliance with the Higher Learning Commission Criterion Three, Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support Section C.2. “All instructors are appropriately qualified, including those in dual credit, contractual, and consortia programs.”
In hiring full-time and adjunct faculty members, the academic leadership of the College gives primary consideration to the highest earned degree in the teaching discipline. To be considered for employment as a faculty member of the college, the minimum credentials must be met. Minimum requirements for faculty are outlined as follows:
General Education and other Non-Occupational Courses:
Faculty teaching General Education and other Non-Occupational Courses must hold a minimum of the master’s degree in the discipline, subfield or related field in the area in which they will teach or a minimum of the master’s degree in any field with a minimum of 18 semester hours at the graduate level in the teaching discipline, subfield or related field in the area in which they will teach.
Occupational Courses:
Faculty teaching in career and technical education college-level certificate and occupational associate degree programs must hold a bachelor’s degree in the teaching discipline
or
an associate degree in the field and sufficient tested experience to demonstrate the required level of expertise shown by five thousand (5000) hours of related occupational experience within the most recent ten (10) years in the subject matter to be taught
or
a state teaching certificate in the area to be taught
or
appropriate certificates and certifications in the field in which they are teaching and verification of six thousand (6000) hours of related occupational experience obtained within the most recent ten (10) years in the subject matter to be taught or a state teaching certification in the area to be taught.
Developmental Courses:
Faculty teaching developmental courses designated as not for college transfer must hold a bachelor’s degree with a major in the teaching discipline or other related discipline. A state teaching certificate in the developmental topic to be taught shall be deemed to be equivalent to a related discipline for developmental courses.
College Experience and Exploration Courses:
ACAD and GNST Courses: Faculty teaching ACAD and GNST courses shall be deemed qualified if they have a Master’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree with at least one of the following additional qualifiers: credentialed to teach courses at the College; have a state teaching license; or have professional experience in an educational setting.
Credential Requirement:
No faculty applicant may be employed for more than one semester until all official transcripts and other required credentials are received and verified by the Chief Academic Officer of the college or demonstration of documented competencies approved, and without prior approval from the President.
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
| 02-15-2017: |
|
Initial approval of IP 6120 Faculty Credentialing. |
12-07-2017:
|
|
Minor changes to wording regarding ACAD and GNST courses.
|