Academic Regulations all on one page

For questions regarding academic regulations, contact an academic advisor. Related link: Collegewide Policies (non-academic) 

Academic Integrity Policy

Anne Arundel Community College, with a central mission of producing learning and a belief that individuals be given the opportunity to fully develop their potential, is committed to upholding rigorous and fair standards of student learning and achievement. Achieving successful student learning is dependent upon a dedication to academic integrity on the part of all members of the college community. Without academic integrity, students gain unfair advantage over others and impede their own development. In support of this aim, Anne Arundel Community College requires all students to exhibit academic integrity in all their academic work.

A culture of academic integrity, a unifying principle in this and all academic communities, is built upon respect for others’ work, commitment to doing one’s own work, and intolerance for academic dishonesty in all its forms.

Acts of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:

A. Cheating, which is the use or attempted use of unauthorized material, information, electronic device, implement or study aid in an academic exercise or assignment without the instructor’s permission;

B. Plagiarizing, which is the unacknowledged or improperly cited adoption or reproduction of the ideas, words, data or statements of others, including fellow students and internet sources;

C. Fabricating or falsifying, which is the unauthorized falsification or invention of any data, information or citation in an academic exercise;

D. Impersonating, which is assuming another student’s identity or allowing another student to do so for the purpose of fulfilling an academic requirement;

E. Facilitating, which is helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty.

The Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the President, or his/her designee, to develop and establish appropriate procedures to implement and enforce this policy. Anne Arundel Community College periodically reviews and updates its policies and procedures.  Please see Academic Integrity Procedures for investigative adjudication and resolution of an alleged academic dishonesty.

Academic Standing

Students who have an adjusted cumulative GPA below a 2.00 are placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation may enroll in up to 14 credit hours during a 13-15-week session, up to 7 credit hours during a 5-12-week session, and up to 4 credit hours during a 4-week or less session.

Students who have an adjusted grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher are in good standing. Students’ academic standing cannot be changed until 12 credit hours of credit courses have been attempted. Thereafter, students are governed by the academic standing table which follows.

After any change in academic standing, no further change can be made until at least 12 more credit hours have been attempted. However, students may be removed from academic probation at the end of any term during which their overall grade point average is a 2.0. Students on probation who achieve a term GPA of 3.0 or better, while earning at least nine hours of credit during one term, will be in good standing for the following term.

The academic standing of students whose grade point average is below 2.0 is determined by the following table.

Academic Standing Table

Note: Students who earned a term GPA of at least 2.0 will not be dismissed, regardless of their position in the academic standing table.

An adjusted cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required for graduation.

Americans with Disabilities Act Policy

Upon request, Anne Arundel Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities.

Eligibility for use of Disability Support Services (DSS) will be established by a DSS advisor. A letter from a physician, psychologist or other licensed professional clinician certified in the field of disability may be required to validate the student’s disability.

Students wishing to use any college service provided to students with disabilities should present written verification to DSS, located in Counseling, Advising and Retention Services. Should the information not be comprehensive or if the documentation is inadequate, the Disability Verification Form will be returned to the student and/or sent to the physician or other certified professional clinician.

For specific procedures, see Disability Support Services.

For information regarding Anne Arundel Community College’s compliance and complaints concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act contact the Federal Compliance Office and Title IX Coordinator at complianceofficer@aacc.edu or by telephone 410-777-1239 or Maryland Relay at 711.

Credit Hours

A credit hour is the unit by which academic work is measured. Each course is assigned a number of credit hours and these are specified in the section of this catalog titled Credit Courses of Instruction. A student enrolled in a face-to-face course should expect approximately 15 hours of instruction for each credit hour.

Student Classification

Students who have been admitted to the college are classified as follows: 0 to 27 credit hours earned - first-year student (freshman); 28 or more credit hours earned - second-year student (sophomore).

Hours Attempted and Earned

Hours attempted means the total number of credit hours in all the credit courses (numbered 100-299) for which students receive one of the letter grades listed under Grades and Quality Points (see Grades and Quality Points).

Hours earned means the total number of credit hours in all the credit courses (numbered 100-299) for which students receive a letter grade of D or higher. No credit hours are earned with a grade of F or FX or a grade designator of W, WP or WF.

Each grade report shows the credit hours attempted and earned for the term. Grade reports can be accessed through the student’s MyAACC page under Self Services.

Equivalent Hours

The college offers developmental courses and some courses for which academic credit is not granted. These are known as equivalent hour courses. Hours spent in equivalent courses are not included in hours attempted, hours earned or in computation of the grade point average. They are counted in computing total course load and tuition. This means that students who are limited to a maximum number of credits may take only that total of combined credit and equivalent hours.

Audit of Courses

Students who wish to be under no obligation for regular attendance, preparation, recitation or examination, and who do not wish to receive any credit, may register for a course as auditors. In a 15-week term, students may change registration status between credit and audit during the first three weeks of classes. For terms shorter than 15 weeks, the audit period will be defined proportionately.

Since no credit hours are attempted or earned and no quality points are given for an audited class, the course will not be included in calculation of the student’s grade point average. Audited courses are not eligible for graduation requirements, calculation toward students’ full-time or part-time enrollment status or toward financial aid. The designator AU will be entered on the student’s academic record. Regular tuition and fees apply to audited courses. A student may not receive credit for a course that is audited.

Dismissal for Academic Reasons and Reinstatement

Students who have attempted 12 or more credit hours of credit courses and whose adjusted cumulative grade point average falls in the dismissal zone specified in the academic standing table will be dismissed. Students will not be subject to academic dismissal, however, until they have attempted at least 12 additional credit hours since their most recent change in academic standing (dismissal or probation).

First Dismissal - Students who have been dismissed one time from the college for academic reasons and who wish to be reinstated must:

1. Meet with an academic advisor to develop a suitable academic plan. The academic advisor will help the student identify strategies to assure academic success. The student will be directed to use college academic support services and encouraged to develop realistic goals.
2. After meeting with an academic advisor, the student will be permitted to register for courses. For the initial term returning after a first dismissal, readmitted students may register with the following restrictions:
   • Readmitted students may only register for two courses which must be repeats of courses in which they earned D or F grades. Both courses may be taken concurrently in terms of 13 weeks or longer.  A course taken in a term of less than 13 weeks must be taken with no other concurrent courses.
   • The Student Success course (ACA 100 ) is strongly recommended and may be added as a third course.

Second Dismissal - Students who have been dismissed twice from the college for academic reasons and who wish to be reinstated must:

1. Sit out one 15-week term before being eligible for reinstatement.
2. Meet with an academic advisor to develop a suitable academic plan. The academic advisor will help the student identify strategies to assure academic success. The student will be directed to use college academic support services and encouraged to develop realistic goals.
3. After meeting with an academic advisor, the student will be permitted to register for courses in accordance with the restrictions for a First Dismissal.

Further Dismissals - Students who have been academically dismissed from the college more than twice shall not be reinstated. In extraordinary circumstances only, reinstatement may be granted by the Committee on Academic Standards.

See also Dismissal for Non-Academic Reasons.

Exceptions to the Academic Regulations

Students who wish to request an exception to an academic regulation may do so by submitting a petition to the Committee on Academic Standards at academicstandards@aacc.edu. Examples of an exception to an academic regulation include requests to substitute one course for another, to be readmitted after multiple dismissals, or to repeat a course more than one time. Approval of these requests is neither automatic nor guaranteed; each is evaluated on its own merits. The Committee on Academic Standards acting for the faculty, has jurisdiction over all matters concerning the application of academic regulations.

Petition forms are available in the Records and Registration office and Academic & Transfer Advising or by contacting academicstandards@aacc.edu. Each completed form must be accompanied by a substantial letter of explanation from the student and have a signed recommendation for appropriate action from an academic advisor, Disability Support Services, or the applicable Department Chair/Director and submitted to academicstandards@aacc.edu.

Students will be emailed a copy of the committee’s decision to their MyAACC email account. Any appeal of a Committee on Academic Standards decision must be submitted to the Records and Registration office and addressed to the Office of the Vice President for Learning. The appeal must be received by the Records and Registration office within 30 days of the committee’s original decision date. An appeal form and filing procedures can be obtained from the Records and Registration office, Academic & Transfer Advising, or academicstandards@aacc.edu.

Enrollment/Changing a Schedule

Change between Noncredit and Credit

Some courses are offered as both credit and continuing education noncredit. Students who register may wish to change from one status to the other. In a regular term, students who wish to make this change must do so during the first three weeks of a 15-week term. For terms shorter than 15 weeks, the change period will be defined proportionately.

Dropping Courses

Through the first week of classes of a 15-week term or the equivalent for other terms, students may drop a course, which means that all entries for the course are dropped completely from students’ transcripts. To accomplish this, students must submit a Credit Registration • Add • Drop Form at the Records and Registration office, e-mail the form to records@aacc.edu, or drop the course through MyAACC. The last day upon which courses may be dropped, is available on the students’ MyAACC page under My Classes. All courses in which a student is enrolled after the final drop date will be entered permanently into their academic record.

Class Enrollment

Students must register for a course before they enter or participate in the class and may not enroll after the established last day to add a class. Students must switch class sections of a course or add a course during the add period.

Withdrawal from Courses

A student may withdraw from a class after the final drop date through the 12th week of a 15 week session or the equivalent date in a shorter session. When a student withdraws an entry of W signifying withdrawal is entered into their record. To withdraw, a student must submit a Credit Registration • Add • Drop Form at the Records and Registration office, e-mail the form to records@aacc.edu, or drop the course through MyAACC. If these methods of withdrawal are not feasible due to extraordinary circumstances, contact the Records and Registration office to request an oral withdrawal request be considered.

After the final withdrawal date and through the last day of classes, as specified in the academic calendar, students may make a request to withdraw from the college or from individual courses by consulting with an academic advisor in the Advising & Transfer Advising office, obtaining an advisor’s signature on a late withdrawal form and filing the late withdrawal form at the Records and Registration office. Students who are passing on the date of the withdrawal will be assigned a grade indicator of WP (withdraw passing) on their permanent record. Students who are failing on the date of the withdrawal will receive a grade of F.

Students who have withdrawn and received a grade of F may petition the Committee on Academic Standards to authorize the instructor to change the grade of F to WF (withdraw failing). Such students must provide verification to the committee that they could not complete the course for one of the following reasons:

1. Death in immediate family.
2. Student incapacitated due to serious illness.
3. Change in hours or location of employment.
4. Uncontrollable circumstances of a serious nature.

Students who have more than 10 entries of W, WP and WF may be required to meet with an academic advisor to review their educational plan before their next registration.

Students receiving financial aid should consult the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy before withdrawing from any courses.

Short and Long-term Military Deployment

Reasonable accommodation will be granted to students showing satisfactory academic progress who are called to military service (appropriate documentation is required). All active duty and reserve military students should check with instructors on or before the first day of class to determine course policy with regard to short term deployment (e.g. the attendance policy for the course). Most courses are structured such that a single deployment of one to two weeks during a term allow for the student to complete the work missed upon return or take an incomplete. Incompletes may be taken only with permission and cooperation of the instructor and must be requested by the student. It is the responsibility of the student to complete all work missed whether taking an incomplete or completing the work in a timely manner within the term enrolled. Students taking an incomplete should refer to the Incomplete Work section. Student communication with the instructor is key.

However, a few courses have internal or external requirements such that make-up work cannot be accommodated. Students deployed while taking such a course must withdraw (see below). Students showing satisfactory academic progress and having to leave a program due to military service requirements must withdraw from the course(s) and will be allowed to re-enter the program by retaking the course or courses from which they had to withdraw. There are courses in some programs in which the student may be able to take an “incomplete” and finish the course in cooperation with the instructor, even with deployments that extend beyond one to two weeks of time. Military students suspending studies in courses with required lab components, clinical components, and/or competency requirements will be allowed re-entry provided the student meets standard departmental and/or program entry requirements. The student will be re-entered into an open seat in the next available class cycle.

Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy

Anne Arundel Community College is committed to providing and maintaining equal opportunity in its educational programs, services, employment and all other activities conducted by or with the college.

Anne Arundel Community College prohibits discrimination or harassment based on race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information and veteran status. This policy applies to all members of, and entities within, the college and all individuals, companies and organizations which conduct business with the college.

The President, or his/her designee, shall, and is hereby authorized to, develop, implement, maintain, and keep current an educational and informational program consistent with this policy. The Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the President, or his/her designee, to develop and establish appropriate procedures to implement and enforce this policy.

For information regarding Anne Arundel Community College’s compliance and complaints concerning discrimination contact the Federal Compliance officer and Title IX Coordinator at complianceofficer@aacc.edu or by telephone at 410 - 777-1239 or Maryland Relay at 7111.

Student Records

FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, is a federal law which concerns the confidentiality of student education records.

AACC Policy

The policy of the college is to protect and distribute a student’s educational records, including, but not limited to, any personally identifiable information, in accordance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the President, or his/her designee, to develop and establish appropriate procedures to implement and enforce this policy.
 

See FERPA: Family Education Rights and Privacy Procedures.  A student’s FERPA rights begin on the first day the student begins attending classes at AACC.

Attendance Records

• Attendance will be taken and recorded in all classes.
• The registrar reserves the right to deny certification of attendance or withdraw such certification due to unacceptable absences in classes and/or lack of substantive participation in distance education courses.
• A student who has never been registered or has been dropped from a class, through his or her own action or omission by the college, will not be reinstated into a class after 20% of the class has been completed.

Change of Name, Address and Phone

Students are required to notify the Records and Registration office of changes including name, address or telephone number. Students should complete the demographic information change form or use MyAACC. The college uses United States Postal Service standard address abbreviations and spellings.

Enrollment Verification/Full Time, Part Time Student Status

Request official verification of enrollment at the Records and Registration office. Anne Arundel Community College designates a full-time student as one enrolled for the equivalent of 12 credit hours. Students enrolled for fewer than 12 credit hours are classified as part time. Some health professions students registered in a clinical sequence course are considered full time when enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours.

Education Records

Education records include any record maintained by the college directly related to a student or students. These records include admission, academic, billing, financial aid, advising, and placement testing. FERPA gives students the right to inspect and review information contained in their own education record, to challenge the content of the records, and allows for a formal hearing if resolution is not met. The registrar coordinates the inspection and review process for student education records.

Confidentiality

The college does not disclose information from a student’s education record without the student’s written consent. Exceptions may include: to college officials with a legitimate educational interest; when providing directory information; in compliance with the Solomon Amendment; to those who, in an emergency, must protect the health or safety of students or others; and as authorized in the federal regulation.

Directory Information

FERPA allows the registrar to release student directory information. This information may include name, address, AACC ID#, AACC email address, telephone numbers, program of study, full-time or part-time enrollment status, terms enrolled, degrees and honors earned, and participation in officially recognized college activities or sports. The college typically releases only name, terms enrolled, full-time or part-time enrollment status, and degrees earned as directory information. To have directory information withheld, notify the registrar in writing.

Law Enforcement Unit Records

The college may disclose law enforcement unit record to anyone, including federal, State, or local law enforcement authorities, without the consent of student or parent. A law enforcement record is defined as a record that is: created by the law enforcement unit; created for a law enforcement purpose; and maintained by the law enforcement unit.

Transcripts

Request copies of official academic transcripts, letters of recognition or continuing education noncredit transcripts in writing, mailed, faxed or via MyAACC, to the Records and Registration office, AACC at Arundel Mills, the Glen Burnie Town Center or the Fort Meade Army Education Center. The offices process transcripts within three business days of receiving requests. Official academic transcripts are only issued for students who have taken coursework at Anne Arundel Community College.

The college reserves the right to withhold official transcripts and other services from students in debt to the college. These debts include tuition, fees, fines, worthless checks and other college fees. Students may discuss these actions with the vice president for learner support services or the vice president’s designee.

Grades

Grades and Quality Points

A letter grade is assigned for each course in which students are enrolled at the end of the term. A grade submitted by the faculty member can be viewed in a student’s MyAACC account. The MyAACC term grade report page is printable or a student may request a mailed paper copy of all grades for the term. A quality point value per credit hour in the course is assigned to each letter grade. These are summarized below.

The number of quality points earned for each credit course is the product of the credit hour rating of the course multiplied by the quality point value of the letter grade assigned. For example, students who complete a three-hour credit course with a C grade earn three times two, or six quality points; those who complete a four-hour credit course with a B earn four times three, or 12 quality points. The calculation of a student’s adjusted GPA does not include the grade designations as listed below. See an academic advisor with questions.

Pass/Fail Grades

The PA grade represents a grade of C or better in courses designated Pass/Fail (PA/F).

Students with a PA grade earn the stated number of credit hours, but a PA grade has no quality point value and is not computed in the grade point average (GPA).

Change of Grades

The instructor of a course is the only individual authorized to assign a grade or to change a grade. Once a grade has been assigned and entered into a student’s record, an instructor may request the registrar to make a grade change only if there has been an error in the determination of the grade. Otherwise, a grade once entered is final and shall not be changed except when it can be unequivocally demonstrated that it was physically or emotionally impossible for the student to file a withdrawal form because of incapacity or sudden, forced departure from the area.  In such a case, the student may petition the Committee on Academic Standards to authorize the instructor to change a grade of F to WP (withdraw passing) or WF (withdraw failing).

Should a student have a grievance about an assigned grade or evaluation rating, the student should follow the grievance about academic assessment procedure.

Incomplete Work

The grade designator of I (incomplete) is assigned only in exceptional circumstances and is a temporary grade indicator. An incomplete must be requested by the student and may be taken only with permission and cooperation of the instructor. A grade indicator of I will be given only to students who cannot complete the work of a course on schedule because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control. Unless the work is completed by the date approved by the instructor in the course, but not later than 30 days after the beginning of the next 15-week term, a grade of F will be recorded for the course.

Interim Grades

Faculty submit interim grades for every student on the current class roster for sessions of 10 weeks or longer. Interim grades are due after one third of the session has been completed.

Student progress to date will be indicated by the following grade indicators:

Grade Point Average (GPA) and Quality Point Total

The grade point average and credit calculations on the Anne Arundel Community College transcript include only credit courses taken at Anne Arundel Community College.

• Quality point total is the number of quality points a student earns. Each grade report shows the student’s quality point total for the term and the cumulative quality point total since admission.
• Grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total quality points by the total credit hours attempted.
• Total cumulative grade point average includes all attempts in all credit courses for which students receive letter grades of A, B, C, D, F or FX.
• Adjusted cumulative grade point average does not include the previous grade(s) earned in a course when the course has been repeated (R), forgiven (Y), or which has been granted academic clemency (Q). See grade calculations not included in the GPA above.

Dean’s List/Honors List

The dean’s list includes full-time students taking 12 credits with a GPA of 3.4 or higher for the previous term. The honors list includes part-time students carrying at least six credit hours with a GPA of 3.4 or higher for the previous term.

Registration Policy

Students at Anne Arundel Community College must register for class before the first scheduled class meeting. In the case of online or hybrid classes, a student must register the day before the first day of the session.  Detailed information is provided within our Registration webpage.

Repetition of Courses

Students may repeat a class one time only, regardless of the grade earned, unless otherwise stated in the course description. When a student repeats a course at Anne Arundel Community College, the most recent grade from Anne Arundel Community College is used to compute the adjusted GPA. However, grades for each attempt remain on the student record and transcript. Students who wish to repeat a course must repeat the course at Anne Arundel Community College for the repeat policy to apply. Grades earned at other institutions in courses for which grades were earned at Anne Arundel Community College do not adjust the grades earned at Anne Arundel Community College, nor do they alter the grade point average. To request to repeat a class more than one time, a student must meet with an academic advisor to petition the Committee on Academic Standards. Students may repeat developmental ENG and ACL courses until successful completion, with no limitation on the number of attempts and without filing a petition. Students should be aware that federal financial aid regulations limit the number of times a student can receive federal financial aid for a graded class.

Credit Limitations

Placement Status Maximum Concurrent Credit Hours Limits by Session Length

The chart below documents the maximum number of credits for which a student may be concurrently enrolled based on their placement status and the length of session in which the course(s) is scheduled.

Note: Academic standing also impacts the maximum credit hours per term.                   

An exception to the limitation on credit hours may be granted by an academic advisor for a student with English Composition Eligible status if the student has an adjusted cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher that includes at least one full-time term of courses for which a GPA of 3.00 has been earned.

Credit and equivalent hours are noted near course titles in the Courses  section of this catalog. Limitations on credit hours are calculated as the sum of all the credit hours and equivalent hours for which a student registers for a given term.

Assessment Testing

All students who wish to pursue a degree or certificate must be assessed. Students may retest for English and/or reading one time. Retesting in English/reading is not allowed after attending or starting English or reading classes. Students seeking a retest in mathematics must first successfully complete the appropriate noncredit review course. Retesting in mathematics is not allowed after enrollment in mathematics classes. Attempting to take an assessment test more than the approved policy allows violates the college’s Academic Integrity Policy. Any assessment test score which is found to be the result of unauthorized repeat testing will be discarded.

Developmental Courses

Students required to take developmental courses in English/reading or math must pass those courses to be eligible to register for a credit English or math course. Developmental courses do not carry college credit and may not be used toward graduation.

Class Attendance

1. Attendance
   • Regular attendance is expected of students who are registered in face-to-face courses and in distance education classroom environments.
   • For hybrid courses, attendance is defined as regular and substantive student participation in virtual learning activities as well as attendance at required face-to-face meetings.
   • For online courses, attendance is defined as regular and substantive student participation in virtual learning activities.
   • Attendance requirements and policies specific to each course are stated in the course syllabus. Students should be aware that lack of regular attendance and/or lack of substantive student participation as appropriate for the course format will adversely affect their grades in those classes in which attendance is a stated requirement. For courses in which attendance is not a stated requirement, student grades may be adversely affected by failure to satisfactorily complete assignments and course work.
   • Regular attendance and active participation promote student success.
2. Visitors
   • Only students officially registered for a course may attend.
   • No visitors (including children, family members or substitutes) shall be allowed to attend or participate in any course without the permission of the faculty member.

Change in Program

Students are admitted to the college in an academic program specified in their original application. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor prior to changing their program of study. Those who wish to change their program must submit a program of study change form to the Records and Registration office or use MyAACC. Those students who are admitted in the General Exploration program of study are required to change their area of study before earning 20 credits.

Forgiveness of Courses

Students who have demonstrated academic progress in a new program of study may petition the Committee on Academic Standards to request academic forgiveness of courses that cannot be applied to meet a program requirement in their new program of study. If the Committee on Academic Standards approves the request for academic forgiveness, the courses will still appear on the student’s transcript, but are marked as forgiven and are not included in the adjusted grade point average. It is important to note that all courses not applicable to the new program of study will be forgiven, regardless of grade earned. In some cases, this procedure will have a negative effect on the student’s adjusted grade point average. All requests must be carefully reviewed with an academic advisor before submitting a petition.

Some courses restrict award of credit based on overlap of content as noted in the course description. Students who take two courses for which they cannot receive credit for both will have one of the courses marked as forgiven. However, both grades remain on the student’s record and transcript.

Courses cannot be forgiven after a degree or certificate has been awarded. However, a student who has demonstrated progress toward a new program of study may request course forgiveness for courses that could not be applied to a previously awarded degree or certificate.

Please note: Having courses forgiven will usually not resolve any Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) violations caused by the forgiven courses. If courses are forgiven, the Financial Aid SAP Policy will use the new adjusted grade point average, but the forgiven course credits will still be counted as attempted credits. See Financial Aid webpage for more information.

Academic Clemency

Academic Clemency is designed to provide former Anne Arundel Community College credit students, who have not been enrolled at the college for a minimum of five years, an opportunity to return to Anne Arundel Community College without the burden of previous poor academic performance (i.e., grades of D, F or FX). Upon re-enrollment at Anne Arundel Community College after at least a 5 year absence, students who have demonstrated academic progress by completion of a minimum of 12 credits with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses attempted, may petition the Committee on Academic Standards for Academic Clemency.  If the Committee on Academic Standards approves the request for Academic Clemency, the student may choose a maximum of 15 credits be forgiven based on Academic Clemency. The 15-credit clemency is intended as a one time use regulation per student. The courses will still appear on the student’s transcript, but are marked as forgiven based on Academic Clemency and not included in the adjusted grade point average.  Courses that are forgiven for Academic Clemency cannot be applied towards a degree or certificate.  Academic Clemency may only be granted to courses taken at Anne Arundel Community College and only to students currently enrolled at the college. The request for Academic Clemency must be approved prior to the student being awarded a degree or certificate and may be granted one time only. Developmental courses will not be considered for Academic Clemency.

Regardless of whether classes and grades are forgiven by AACC, all attempted classes and grades will be included in the calculation of Satisfactory Academic Progress and used to confirm eligibility for Financial Aid. The calculation utilizing all grades for required courses is consistent with the U.S. Department of Education Regulations. Students should consult with the Financial Aid Office regarding individual circumstances.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Procedures

If a student and their advisor have determined that the student has fulfilled or will fulfill all graduation requirements by the last day of finals for the requested term, the student must submit an application for graduation according to the following schedule in order to be reviewed for graduation for the specified term. Students must complete and submit a graduation application regardless if they will attend the commencement ceremony.The college will not award a degree or certificate for a past semester or term.Students must submit a graduation application through MyAACC.

For Spring graduation: By March 1
For Summer graduation: By July 1
For Fall graduation: By Nov. 1

Applications are good for only one term. Students who do not qualify in the term for which they apply are required to reapply by the deadline for the term in which they will meet all the graduation requirements and wish to graduate.

Summer graduates, fall graduates and spring graduation candidates are invited to attend the spring commencement ceremony.

Students must be in good financial standing with the College, all accounts paid in full, to receive their diploma/transcripts and to attend the commencement ceremony.

Graduation Honors Graduation honors will be accorded to associate degree recipients whose adjusted cumulative GPAs are as follows:

Courses Cancelled in Students’ Final Term

Students, who in their last term before graduation, have a required course cancelled should immediately contact their department chair to request substitution of another course for graduation.

Associate Degree Requirements

To qualify for any associate degree, students must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours, 15 of which must be earned at Anne Arundel Community College. A minimum of 30 of the required 60 credit hours must be earned through direct classroom instruction (including distance learning classes).
2. Achievement of an adjusted cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
3. Completion of the course and general education requirements of a program or curriculum as described in the college catalog. Any catalog may be used provided that it is for the current year or one of the four preceding academic years, and is for a year in which the student completed at least one credit or developmental class. On a student’s application for graduation he/she will declare the catalog year to be used.
4. Submission of a graduation application through MyAACC by the deadline.

Additional Associate Degree

To earn more than one associate degree at Anne Arundel Community College, students must:

1. Fulfill all program requirements for each degree in accord with college requirements as stated above.
2. Submit a graduation application through MyAACC by the deadline.

Certificate Requirements

To qualify for a certificate, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of the course requirements of a program as described in the college catalog. At least 25 percent of the total credit hours in the program must be earned at Anne Arundel Community College. Any catalog may be used provided that it is for the current year or one of the four preceding academic years, and is for a year in which the student completed at least one credit or developmental class. On a student’s application for graduation he/she will declare the catalog year to be used.
2. Demonstrated eligibility for ENG 101 /ENG 101A .
3. Achievement of an adjusted cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
4. Submission of a graduation application through MyAACC by the deadline.

Letter of Recognition

To qualify for a Letter of Recognition, students must complete the courses for the letter as stated under areas of study in the catalog. At least 50 percent of the total credit hours in the letter of recognition must be earned at Anne Arundel Community College. Students must apply for the letter of recognition at the Records and Registration office. (There is no fee for a letter of recognition.) Letters of recognition are not a formal award and therefore not noted on the official transcript.

Fast Track Option

For programs that have been identified as having a Fast Track Option, general education, health, computing and information technology and competency, and diversity requirements are considered satisfied for those students who have earned an associate, baccalaureate, or master’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university and whose program of study included at least 20 credit hours of general education courses (excluding physical education activity courses). Students must fulfill all other graduation requirements. Official transcripts from all previous institutions attended must be submitted to the Records and Registration office.

Reverse Transfer Award of the Associate Degree

Reverse transfer award of the associate degree (reverse transfer) allows a student who transferred to a four-year institution prior to earning an associate degree to transfer credits back to Anne Arundel Community College to fulfill the remaining requirements for the associate degree while continuing to work toward a bachelor degree. The Records and Registration office reviews coursework from Anne Arundel Community College and the four-year institution to determine if the remaining course requirements have been completed at the four-year institution for the award of an associate degree. College transfer credit criteria  and graduation requirements apply to reverse transfer students. Students should complete the reverse transfer degree application form found on the reverse transfer website and send all official transcripts to initiate the review.

Student Athlete Eligibility

In order to be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics, a student shall meet the minimum requirements of the National Junior College Athletic Association as written in the NJCAA Handbook & Casebook.

In addition to the National Junior College Athletic Association requirements, a first-year participant shall receive a minimum 1.75 adjusted grade point average, which omits repeated, forgiven and developmental courses. A second-year participant shall achieve a minimum 2.00 adjusted grade point average, which omits repeated, forgiven and developmental courses. Participants must comply with all college policies, particularly regarding demonstration of residency for tuition purposes. To establish and maintain eligibility, participants must pay all tuition and fees by the scheduled due date.

Eligibility for all transfer students who wish to participate in intercollegiate athletics will be assessed based upon the transcripts from their most recently attended postsecondary institution where they attained full-time status (attempting 12 credits or more). They shall comply with the standards enumerated previously, according to their years of participation at the collegiate level with regards to the specific sport. At the point a student-athlete has established a grade point average at Anne Arundel Community College, then eligibility will be assessed based upon his/her achievement at Anne Arundel Community College.

Student Complaint Procedures

Students seeking to resolve a concern or complaint about or an issue relevant to an action or inaction of a college employee should use the following procedures. These procedures are established to resolve the matter fairly and in a timely manner. Therefore, whenever possible, consultation with those individuals directly involved is encouraged. Resolution may be facilitated by a college ombudsperson who can assist both parties with his or her attempt to articulate concerns and identify possible solutions. Please contact Counseling, Advising and Retention Services to inquire about ombudsperson services.

1. GRIEVANCE ABOUT ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT
   1. The authority to assign grades for academic work is exclusive to the course instructor. Therefore, should a student believe that an assigned grade or evaluation rating is capricious or unfair, the student should immediately discuss the matter with the instructor.
   2. If the student believes that the concern has not been adequately addressed by the instructor, only then should the student seek the assistance of the department chair/ director/supervisor in an attempt to resolve this matter.
   3. If after five business days from initial contact of the department chair/director/supervisor the student believes that the concern has not been adequately addressed, only then should the student seek the assistance of the school/division dean.
   4. A response to the student’s written complaint will be prepared by the dean within five business days of receipt of a complaint. If the student believes that the dean’s response has not addressed the concern, only then should the student seek the assistance of the vice president for learning. The vice president should be contacted in writing. Correspondence with the vice president must include details of compliance with the process as outlined above.
   5. The written decision of the vice president or his/her designee(s) shall be final.
   6. Adjustment to the process: No step here outlined may be ignored; however, in the event that a student has valid reasons for declining discussion with the instructor or the chair, the student may write to the school/division dean detailing such reasons and requesting an exception to the process. This is the sole method for adjusting the grievance process about an academic assessment.
2. GRIEVANCE ABOUT FACULTY MEMBERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF INTERACTIONS WITH A STUDENT
   1. Should a student have concern about the actions, inactions or comments of a faculty or instructional staff member, the student should immediately discuss the matter with the instructor or instructional staff member to try to resolve the matter.
   2. If the student believes that the concern has not been adequately addressed by the instructor or instructional staff member, only then should the student seek the assistance of the department chair/director/supervisor in an attempt to resolve this matter.
   3. If after five business days from initial contact of the department chair/director/supervisor the student believes that the concern has not been adequately addressed, only then should the student seek the assistance of the school/division dean.
   4. A response to the student’s written complaint will be prepared by the dean within five business days of receipt of a complaint. If the student believes that the dean’s response has not addressed the concern, only then should the student seek the assistance of the vice president for learning.
      The vice president should be contacted in writing. Correspondence with the vice president must include details of compliance with the process as outlined above.
   5. The written decision of the vice president or his/her designee(s) shall be final.
   6. Adjustment to the process: No step here outlined may be ignored; however, in the event that a student has valid reasons for declining discussion with the instructor, staff member or the chair/director/supervisor, the student may write to the school/division dean detailing such reasons and
      requesting an exception to the process. This is the sole method for adjusting the grievance process.
3. STUDENT GRIEVANCE ABOUT COLLEGE STAFF INTERACTIONS WITH A STUDENT
   1. Should a student have concern about the actions, inactions or comments of a non-instructional staff member, the student should immediately discuss the matter with the staff member and try to resolve the matter.
   2. If the student believes that the concern has not been adequately addressed by the staff member, only then should the student seek the assistance of the department chair/director/supervisor in an attempt to resolve this matter.
   3. If after five business days from initial contact of the department chair/director/supervisor the student believes that the concern has not been adequately addressed, only then should the student seek the assistance of the school/division dean.
   4. A response to the student’s written complaint will be prepared by the dean within five business days of receipt of a complaint. If the student believes that the dean’s response has not addressed the concern, only then should the student seek the assistance of the responsible vice president. The vice president should be contacted in writing. Correspondence with the vice president must include details of compliance with the process as outlined above.
   5. The written decision of the vice president or his/her designee(s) shall be final.
   6. Adjustment to the process: No step here outlined may be ignored; however, in the event that a student has valid reasons for declining discussion with the staff member or the chair/director/supervisor, the student may write to the school/division dean detailing such reasons and requesting
      an exception to the process. This is the sole method for adjusting the grievance process.
4. ACCUSATION OF DISCRIMINATION
   Questions concerning requests for accommodations should be directed to Counseling, Advising and Retention Services. Any complaints concerning requests for accommodations or of discrimination shall be directed to the federal compliance officer.

*Once a student has exhausted the above procedures, he or she may pursue state of Maryland consumer complaint procedures. See the consumer information section on the Anne Arundel Community College website, http://www.aacc.edu/policies/aacc-consumer-info/ or contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission at 410- 767-3301 or http://www.mhec.state.md.us/

 Title 13B Maryland Higher Education Commission