Academic Information

Curriculum Program Classifications

A curriculum program is an organized sequence of courses leading to an associate degree, a diploma or a certificate.  All curriculum programs are designed to provide education, training or retraining for the workforce.

Associate Degree Programs

Associate degree programs are planned programs of study culminating in an associate in applied science, associate in arts, associate in fine arts, associate in science or associate in general education degree.

Associate in Applied Science Degree Programs

The associate in applied science degree programs are designed to prepare individuals for employment.  These programs involve the application of scientific principles in research, design, development, production, distribution or service.

Associate in Arts, Associate in Engineering, Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, and Associate in Science Programs

The associate in arts, associate in engineering, associate in fine arts in visual arts, and associate in science degree programs are designed to prepare students for transfer at the junior level to institutions offering baccalaureate degrees.

Associate in General Education Degree Program

The associate in general education degree program is designed for students who desire a general liberal arts education.

Diploma Programs

The diploma programs are designed to provide entry-level employment training.  A diploma program may be a stand-alone curriculum program title or a college may award a diploma under the college's associate in applied science degree curriculum program for a series of courses taken from the program of study and structured so that a student may complete additional non-duplicative coursework to receive an associate in applied science degree. Courses numbered between 101-109 cannot be used toward the associate degree.

Certificate Programs

The certificate programs are designed to lead to employment or to provide skills upgrading or retraining for individuals already in the workforce.  A certificate program may be a stand-alone curriculum program title, or a college may award a certificate under the college's associate degree or diploma curriculum program for a series of courses taken from the program of study.

Transitional Education Programs

Transitional Education Programs consist of English, math, and student success courses, as well as support services (including tutoring and academic coaching). These programs are designed to address academic preparedness and development of general and discipline-specific learning strategies that promote more effective ways to learn. Transitional education courses do not earn credit toward a degree, diploma, or certificate.

The Forsyth Tech Teachers Academy

The Forsyth Tech Teachers Academy was established to provide assistance and guidance to prospective teachers for the Forsyth and Stokes County schools.  The purpose of the Academy is to provide a center for information, credential review and referral services to students contemplating teaching careers PreK-12.  The goal is to provide a single location for information and assistance that will result in a great pool of unconditionally licensed teachers for the two counties served by the College.  Services include general information regarding pathways into teacher education programs for students pursuing an associate in applied science degree (AAS) in Early Childhood Education, School-Age Children (as Para-professionals); college transfer bachelor’s degree; guidance for non-teaching degree individuals; and currently employed lateral-entry teachers who are seeking licensure.

At Forsyth Tech, the following associate degrees are suitable pathways into teacher education programs connecting to four-year institutions: 

                                    Lateral Entry Certificate

                                    School-Age Education, Associate in Applied Science

                                    Early Childhood Education, Associate in Applied Science

                                    College Transfer Option for those pursuing majors in

                                    Education (Associate in Arts and Associate in Science)

In addition, the Forsyth Tech Teachers Academy coordinates continuing education units (CEU) renewal classes for teacher education through our division of Economic and Workforce Development.

For further information, contact Phygenia F. Young, Program Coordinator, Forsyth Tech Teachers Academy, at 336.734.7965.

General Education

Forsyth Tech strives to meet the growing demand for well-trained employees.  Each curriculum plan directly supports the College’s mission by providing students the educational opportunities for general education, workforce preparedness and training, and global development by utilizing face-to-face and distance learning education. 

Each program has been designed to include general education competencies based on a coherent rationale to ensure a breadth of knowledge that does not narrowly focus on skills, techniques and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession.  

Forsyth Tech General Education/Universal Competencies

These competencies were developed by the faculty of Forsyth Tech and represent what is expected of Forsyth Tech graduates in degree programs.  Every student who graduates with a degree from Forsyth Tech completes a core of general education courses.  Student learning outcomes are assessed regularly in courses representing each of the areas listed.

Forsyth Technical Community College values assessment as a tool to enhance student learning.  This commitment supports SACS Comprehensive Standard 8.2b which states:  The institution identifies college-level general education competencies and the extent to which students have obtained them.

The college currently identifies four Universal Competencies:

Oral Communication

Students will use oral communication skills to effectively deliver information to a specified audience.

Written Communication

Students will use written communication skills to effectively deliver information to a specified audience.   

Quantitative Reasoning

Students will draw valid conclusions through the analysis of quantitative information. 

Critical Thinking

Students will demonstrate the ability to develop sound solutions.

Courses and Standards for Curriculum Programs

Associate in Applied Science

The associate in applied science degree program includes opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills and basic use of computers.  The program includes a minimum of 15 semester hours of credit from general education curriculum courses selected from the North Carolina Community College Combined Course Library, including six hours of communications, three hours in humanities/fine arts, three hours in social/behavioral sciences and three hours in either natural sciences or mathematics.

Associate in Arts

The associate in arts degree program includes opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills and basic use of computers.  The program includes a minimum of 45 semester hours of general education curriculum core courses selected from the North Carolina Community College Combined Course Library and approved for transfer to the University of North Carolina constituent institutions.  The general education core shall include:  six semester hours of English composition; nine semester hours of humanities/fine arts; nine hours of social/behavioral sciences; three to four semester hours of mathematics; four hours of natural sciences; and 13 to 14 semester hours credit selected from courses classified as general education within the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement.  Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university.

Associate in Science

The associate in science degree program includes opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills and basic use of computers.  The program includes a minimum of 45 semester hours of general education curriculum core courses selected from the North Carolina Community College Combined Course Library and approved for transfer to the University of North Carolina constituent institutions.  The general education core shall include:  six semester hours of English composition; six semester hours of humanities/fine arts; six hours of social/behavioral sciences; a minimum of eight semester hours in mathematics; a minimum of eight semester hours in natural sciences; and 11 semester hours credit selected from courses classified as general education within the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement.  Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university. 

Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts

The associate in fine arts in visual arts program of study includes opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills and basic use of computers. The program includes a minimum of 25 semester hours of general education curriculum core courses selected from the North Carolina Community College Combined Course Library and approved for transfer to the University of North Carolina constituent institutions.  The general education core shall include: six semester hours of English composition; six semester hours of communications and humanities/fine arts; six hours of social/behavioral sciences; a minimum of three semester hours in mathematics; and a minimum of four semester hours in natural sciences.

Associate in General Education

The associate in general education program includes opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills and basic use of computers. The general education curriculum program includes a minimum of 15 semester hours of credit from general education curriculum courses selected from the North Carolina Community College Combined Course Library and includes six hours in communications, three hours in humanities/fine arts, three hours in social/behavioral sciences, and three hours in natural sciences or mathematics.

Associate in General Occupational Technology

The associate in general occupational technology program includes a minimum of 15 semester hours of credit from general education curriculum courses selected from the North Carolina Community College Combined Course Library.  The general education hours include a minimum of six hours in communications and at least three hours in humanities/fine arts, three hours in social/behavioral sciences, and three hours in natural sciences or mathematics.

Diploma Programs (Non-transfer)

Diploma programs contain a minimum of six semester hours of general education curriculum courses selected from the North Carolina Community College Combined Course Library.  A minimum of three semester hours of credit is included in communications, and a minimum of three semester hours of credit is included from curriculum courses in humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences or natural sciences and mathematics.

Reference: SBCCC 400.97 Courses and Standards for Curriculum Programs

Classification of Students

Full-time:  A student who is enrolled in 12 or more credit hours of coursework; nine hours for summer term (financial aid requirements are different for summer term).

Part-time:  A student who is enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours of coursework; fewer than nine hours summer term.

Special Credit:  A student who is enrolled in credit courses but who is not working toward a degree, diploma or certificate.

Audit:  A student who is enrolled in regular coursework but who is not receiving credit for work undertaken.

Definition of Credit Hour

The college provides a minimum of 50 minutes per credit hour per week of instruction for each scheduled credit hour in all curriculum programs of study.

Attendance

Forsyth Tech regards class lectures, demonstrations and other in-class experiences as vital ingredients of the educational process.  For this reason, students are expected to attend and arrive on time to all class, laboratory, shop, practicum, cooperative education worksites and clinical experience sessions.  Students are responsible for accounting to their instructors for any absence and should report to their instructors following any absence to determine if and when work may be made up.  Habitual tardiness may, at the discretion of the instructor, be considered in computing attendance.

Students must satisfy the instructor that they should be permitted to remain in a course and attend classes after incurring absences in excess of the following:

1. five hours of class,
2. three practicum (shop, laboratory or clinical experience) sessions that meet for two or more hours, or
3. three hours of class and one practicum (shop, laboratory or clinical experience) session that meets for two or more hours.

When students are absent from a class and a practicum (shop, laboratory, clinical experience) session that meets consecutively, each session missed will be counted as an absence.

Special attendance rules, different from those listed above, must be noted in the instructor’s attendance policy included on the course syllabus.  Students with questions or concerns should consult with their instructor.

Any student who is in the United States Armed Forces who has received temporary

or permanent reassignment as a result of military operations and any student who is a National Guard service member placed onto State active duty status during an academic term for the period of time the student is on active duty will be granted an excused absence. Specifically:

a) Student will be given the opportunity to make up any test or other work missed during the excused absence.

b) Student shall have the option, when feasible, to continue classes and coursework during the academic term through online participation for the period of time the student is placed on active duty.

c) Student may elect to receive a grade of “incomplete” (I) for any course that they were unable to complete as a result of being placed on active duty within the period of time specified by the college to avoid receiving a failing grade for the course.

d) Student will have the option of withdrawing from the course by the 60% point of scheduled contact hours (with no financial or academic penalty) for which they were unable to complete as a result of being placed on active duty.

Clinical Experience in Health Programs

Clinical hours in any of the health programs may be scheduled during any part of the 24-hour day, seven days a week.

Students will be informed in writing no later than the second class meeting when a clinical course has special attendance requirements.

In order to pass clinical courses, students must pass all critical requirements for the course.

Required uniforms must fit neatly in order for students to meet the dress code of both Forsyth Tech and the clinical facilities.

Certain areas (operating room, obstetrics, isolation rooms, etc.) in the hospitals require special hospital garments.  To control infection, hospital policy requires that only those garments supplied by the hospital be used.  Students who are unable to wear and be covered by these garments will not be allowed to go into those clinical areas, which may jeopardize their ability to complete the program.

Failure to meet any dress requirements may jeopardize a student’s ability to continue in a program.

School Closing Due to Inclement Weather

The decision to cancel all or any portion of college classes during inclement weather is the responsibility of the president or designated representative.  A communication system has been established to inform faculty, staff, students and all local news media when the decision is made to close the College.

The guidelines listed below will be followed when classes are canceled due to inclement weather.  All faculty and students may call the school or listen to radio announcements.  When there is no announcement, there will be school.

When the decision is made to cancel day classes, it will be announced through the news media prior to 6:15 a.m.  The decision to cancel day classes will be on a day-by-day basis and will apply to all day classes offered by the College regardless of location.

When classes are canceled, only personnel required to deal with inclement weather will be required to be at the College.  Any compensatory time will be determined by the appropriate administrator.  All other fulltime personnel will not be required to be at the College.

In accordance with current North Carolina Community College System guidelines, all part-time personnel will either 1) make up the time/class missed for inclement weather and document the made-up time or 2) be docked for the period of time missed due to the College closing.  The College reserves the right to schedule make-up classes based on the availability of make-up days.  The appropriate administrator will make the final decision regarding time to be made up.

A decision to cancel evening classes may be made at the same time as the cancellation of day classes or at any time prior to 5 p.m. of that day.  This decision will apply to all evening classes regardless of location.

Early dismissal of day classes because of inclement weather is the responsibility of the president or designated representative.  All classes and offices will be notified when this decision is made.

Early dismissal of evening and weekend classes because of inclement weather is the responsibility of the president or designated representative.  All locations and classes will be notified when this decision is made.

When inclement weather develops, faculty and students should NOT call the administrative staff or radio and television stations. This only delays communication and creates extra telephone problems.  A message regarding closing for both faculty and students will be on the Forsyth Tech telephone message system by 6:30 a.m., posted on the College Website, TechLink, and through TechAlert.

When a class is missed due to inclement weather, or other reasons approved by the appropriate dean, the instructor must assign an alternate instructional activity to include extra class sessions, extended class sessions or other options. This activity is to be documented on the Alternative Instructional Activities for Missed Classes Form.  The form is due to the supervisor within five working days after the class is missed. 

PLEASE LISTEN for ANNOUNCEMENTS from LOCAL RADIO and TV STATIONS.

Program of Study Information

Students admitted to a degree, diploma or certificate program must meet the requirements listed on the program of study for the academic year during which students were initially enrolled in the program. In general, students should work closely with their academic advisors to ensure they follow the sequence of courses listed on the program of study to meet all course prerequisites and to complete the program within three years of initial enrollment. 

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

Many program courses have prerequisites and co-requisites that are listed in the course descriptions in this catalog.  Before these courses may be taken, any prerequisite course must be completed and co-requisites must have been taken during a previous semester or be taken during the same semester. Bold-typed prerequisites and co-requisites are requirements at the local community college level.  If a prerequisite and/or co-requisite are regular font type, they are state- mandated requirements and cannot be waived.  If the occasion arises in which a local prerequisite should be waived, both the appropriate department chairperson and dean must approve the waiver in writing.  If a course affects more than one division, written approval may be necessary from more than one department chairperson and dean before the student registers for that course.

Maximum Allowable Course Load

The maximum allowable course credit load for any semester without approval of the appropriate academic dean is 21 hours.  Any student desiring to register for a course load which exceeds this amount must seek prior approval from their academic dean.

Course Attempts Rule (Course Repeat)

Students may not repeat a course either for credit or audit more than three times without permission of the appropriate dean.  Grades of Withdrawal (W) or Audit (AU) will be considered as an attempt regarding this policy.

The appropriate dean will make the final decision on students’ permission to enroll in a course after three attempts.  A log will be maintained in each academic dean’s office documenting approval for each student attempting a course four or more times.

Course Substitutions

Course substitutions may be granted when deemed necessary for graduation or as a necessary accommodation to complete a degree as long as they are in compliance with state guidelines.

Core courses (this includes concentration courses) cannot be substituted.  General education and other major hours courses may be substituted with comparable courses.  The appropriate department chairperson must approve the course substitution by completing and submitting the electronic form found on TechLink under Campus Links.

Advanced Standing Credit

Students may be eligible for advanced standing when previous studies or training has provided them with the knowledge and skills required in a course.  The student is responsible for contacting the appropriate academic dean or department chair for questions regarding specific knowledge and skills considered for advanced standing credit.  Students should contact the Admissions Office, the Student Success Center, their academic advisor or view the College’s Website to receive information regarding the procedure for evaluation before registering for classes.  With the exception of dually enrolled high school students, all students must be officially enrolled in a program of study in order to be eligible for advanced standing credit.  Dual enrollment high school students may use articulated courses to meet College prerequisites.  When appropriate, the student will be responsible for providing official documentation before credit is granted.

Forsyth Technical Community College may grant appropriate credit for courses on the basis of proficiency examinations including the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement Program (AP), the International Baccalaureate Program (IB), and through a comprehensive institutional examination for credit (credit-by-exam).  The College may also award credit for courses based on industry, state, and national certifications or registry examinations, military training, and formal articulation agreements.  Students who plan to transfer to another college or university are responsible for determining if the institution they plan to attend will accept advanced standing credits awarded by Forsyth Technical Community College.  In all cases, students must take at least 25 percent of the program credits at Forsyth Tech to complete the degree, diploma, or certificate.

A time limit may apply for accepting advanced standing credit or for technical courses taken previously at Forsyth Tech or other institutions.  The appropriate academic division dean, in consultation with the faculty, will determine the time period in which courses previously taken can be used in the student’s current program of study.

Proficiency Exams

Students who have been approved for admission or are already enrolled in a program of study may request to take a proficiency exam for a course that has a proficiency exam available.  Students must receive permission from the appropriate department chairperson to earn credit for the course by proficiency examination and must pay the testing fee before taking the exam.

Students do not necessarily have to be registered or enrolled in a course before requesting a proficiency exam for a course that has a proficiency exam available.  However, if students are enrolled in a course for which a proficiency exam is requested, the request must be made by the 10th day of class.  Students who withdraw from a course after the 10th day of class in any semester and have not formally submitted a request may not earn credit for that course by proficiency exam for a period of one year. Academic advisors will certify that students have not been enrolled in the course within the past year and that the prerequisites for the course have been satisfied.

Some programs have restricted proficiency exams, and students must be admitted to that program before a request will be considered.  Students may take a proficiency exam for a given course only once in a 12-month period. Guidelines on how to apply for a proficiency exam can be obtained from the office of the appropriate division dean, Student Success Center or the Records Office.  Students who successfully pass a proficiency exam will be given a grade of CR (credit granted or passed proficiency) and hours earned will be granted but will not affect their grade point average (GPA).  Students should also note that proficiency exam credits are for internal use only and generally will not transfer to another college.

Work-Based Learning

Work-Based Learning offers students a learning opportunity while gaining valuable work experience in the field of study.  Students will earn college credit while mastering new skills in a supervised environment.

The Work-Based Learning program at Forsyth Tech prepares students for successful employment.  To learn more about work-based learning, students should visit the Work-Based Learning page on TechLink (under Academics) or contact the Work-Based Learning Office at 336.734.7232 (email wbl@forsythtech.edu).

Transitional Education Programs

This program offers a series of courses for preparation, skill development and academic guidance to students who need additional support, for a variety of reasons, because they do not meet the specific academic competencies in English and/or math for the program of their choice.  Students’ transitional education academic plans are individually designed to meet students’ specific needs.  The program provides students with an opportunity to build academic skills and acquire the background and support necessary for success in their desired program.

There are two types of transitional education English and math courses:

Transitional English and math courses are prerequisites for curriculum level courses. Students who qualify must complete these before attempting a curriculum level course. Transitional English and math course grades are Pass (P1, P2, P3) or Repeat ®.

Co-requisite English and math courses are designed to help support students while they complete a curriculum level English or math course. Co-requisite courses are to be taken at the same time as curriculum level English and math gateway courses. Co-requisite English and math course grades are Pass ((P) or Fail (F). 

Transitional education courses do not meet graduation requirements. See the Transitional Education Programs section of this catalog.

Distance Learning

Distance learning courses offer students an alternative to traditional classroom instruction.  The courses deliver instructional content to learners across distance and time through the use of technology.
Various program courses are delivered by the following means:

• Interactive Tele video – Courses are taught via videoconferencing utilizing the Main Campus, Grady Swisher Center and/or the Mazie Woodruff Center.
• Interactive Web conference – Courses are taught using audio headsets and webcams via a web browser.  Students can attend these courses from any location equipped with high speed internet access and do not attend classes on campus.
• Online – Courses are Web-based via the internet.  Students do not attend classes on campus.
• Hybrid – Courses are partially via the internet and partially on campus.

Credit courses using these delivery technologies offer educational opportunities to Forsyth Tech students who are balancing jobs, family and personal and professional situations.  Distance learning courses offer convenience and flexibility while providing quality instruction and interaction.  Support services are available to distance learning students to assist them with academic and support needs. These include electronic access to the reference desk in the library, online access to the library’s catalog, email access to staff members in Student Services, as well as information about student services and the application, Transcript Request Form, disability services, and career development and educational planning information and resources on the Website.  Email sent to askdl@forsythtech.edu puts students in touch with information about distance learning at Forsyth Tech.  Other resources are provided on campus by Student Services and the Learning Center.

Distance learning courses are demanding and require students to be highly motivated, independent learners.  Students must have college-level reading and writing abilities, as well as strong time management skills.  Successful distance learning students must also be able to manage the technology used to deliver instructional materials.  Attendance at a distance learning orientation is required of all distance learning students.

Independent Study

Independent study provides an alternative for a student to earn credit for certain required courses.  It should be used only when it has been determined that it would create an unreasonable hardship for the student to wait for the course to be available.  Guidelines to be used are:

• To be considered for independent study, students must file a Request for Independent Study Form with their academic advisor, who will review the request and forward it with suggestions to the division dean for final action.  The form should be completed during registration, and the student must register for the course during the registration period.
• Acceptable reasons for allowing a student to take an independent study:  (a) one-time course sequencing difficulties, (b) scheduling problems that were no fault of the student and/or (c) needing the course for graduation at the end of the semester.
• Students will not be approved for independent study if their cumulative grade point average (GPA) is less than 2.0 or if they have failed or withdrawn while failing from the course in question.
• Students may be limited in the number of independent study courses taken to complete degree requirements.  Exceptions require special approval from the division dean.
• All independent studies are normally taught by a fulltime instructor.

Grading System (403.02)

The grading system found listed below is used for all credit classes at Forsyth Tech.  Exceptions are normally approved by the appropriate deans and students must be informed in writing in the course syllabus.

• W - A withdrawal is the grade given to students who officially withdraw from a course up to the 60 percent point of the course.
• I - The grade of incomplete is given only if students have valid reasons for failure to complete the work on schedule and have completed at least 75 percent of the course requirements. Illness, absence on company business or circumstances beyond a student’s control are considered valid reasons for a grade of incomplete.  Students must have advised the instructor of the circumstance before the end of the semester to be granted an incomplete.  The instructor must have specified the work to be made up in order to remove the incomplete and a date within the following semester by which the work must be completed.  This will be detailed on the incomplete form, which must be attached to the attendance form.  If the conditions necessary to remove the incomplete will require additional hours of instruction, students must register for the course again.  If students need only to complete work without instructional supervision, this work must be completed no later than the end of the following semester.
  
  Students who receive a grade of incomplete on a course that is a prerequisite for a higher-level course must make up the incomplete work by the end of the drop/add period in order to be allowed to register for the higher-level course.
  
  If the grade of incomplete is not removed by the end of the semester immediately following the semester it was given, it will remain permanently recorded. (403.04)
• AU - Students may have the opportunity to take a class in which no grade or credit is awarded towards a degree or diploma; however, they will be required to meet the prerequisites, co-requisites, and other applicable college policies for courses they are requesting to audit. A student may audit a course section only on a “space available” basis. A student who audits a course section shall not displace students enrolling or registering to receive a grade, academic credit, continuing education unit or certificate of completion in the course section.

Students auditing courses are not required to take examinations or submit written work but may do so if they wish.  No grade or credit toward a degree or diploma is given.  An audit may not be changed to credit or credit changed to audit after the 10 percent point of the semester or the 10 percent point of the class when the class does not begin within the first five days of the semester. (403.05) 

Normal attendance policies will apply.  Audit students are expected to do assigned reading and participate in classroom activities.  Students withdrawing during the semester will be given the grade of W.  The Audit Request Form is available in the Records Office or from the appropriate division dean.  It must be submitted to the Records Office for processing by the 10 percent point of the class.

      Except as otherwise provided by law, students who audit a course are required to

      pay the applicable tuition, registration fee, and other fees charged consistent with

      State Board of Community College Code chapter 1000.

• P – This grade is assigned to students who achieve 80% proficiency in transitional English and math courses enabling them to progress to the next course.  The grade of P is not computed in the GPA.
• R – This grade is assigned to students who do not achieve 80% proficiency in transitional English and math courses signaling that the student must repeat the course to progress. The grade of R is not computed in the GPA but does compute as a failing grade for Financial Aid purposes.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Academic progress at Forsyth Tech is based on a 4.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) system.  A final GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation from all programs of study.  Students accumulate grade points based on grades earned per semester.  The GPA is determined by dividing grade points earned in courses by the number of semester credit hours attempted.  The highest grade earned in a course will be used to calculate GPA.  Grades of withdrawal (W), Audit (AU) or incomplete (I) will be considered as repeat grades but will not be considered as the last grade earned in calculating GPA.

Academic Forgiveness Policy

Academic Forgiveness may help those students whose past performance has prevented them from graduating, if their grade point average has improved to a 2.00 or above in recent years, by excluding previously earned grades of F or WF from the student’s GPA.  In order to apply for academic forgiveness, the student will initiate the process by completing an application for Academic Forgiveness form (available from the Records Office) in a meeting with a Forsyth Tech counselor or advisor.  The counselor or advisor will discuss the ramifications and alternatives of academic forgiveness with the student.  (In some cases, the student may be better served by utilizing the College’s individual course repeat policy to retake a previously failed course or for a higher grade rather than invoking the overall academic forgiveness policy.)  After going over the application process with the counselor or advisor, the student will sign the form to indicate understanding of the policy and process.  If the student then wishes to carry the request forward, the student will meet with the vice president of Student Services for a second review and discussion of the application and its impact.  Upon approval by the vice president, the application will be forwarded to the director of Records to verify that the criteria have been met.  After verifying that all the conditions for applying the academic forgiveness policy to the student’s record have been satisfied, the Records Office will update the student’s transcript to reflect the recalculated GPA based on academic forgiveness of prior F and/or WF grades.

Conditions for the application of the academic forgiveness policy:

1. A minimum of three years must have elapsed between the poor academic performance and the academic forgiveness request.  The student may continue to be enrolled during that three-year period at Forsyth Tech or at another institution.
2. Only grades of F or WF are eligible for academic forgiveness.
3. Before applying for academic forgiveness, the student must have successfully completed at least nine credit hours at Forsyth Tech with a C grade or higher, and the cumulative GPA of those nine credits (or more) must be 2.00 or higher since the period of poor academic performance.
4. If approved, the classes forgiven will remain on the transcript with the original grade and a notation indicating that academic forgiveness has been applied to them.  The forgiven classes remain on the permanent record but will be excluded from the Forsyth Tech GPA calculation.
5. Once granted, academic forgiveness is not reversible.
6. Academic forgiveness may be granted only once.
7. Classes removed from the GPA calculation under academic forgiveness will still count towards attempted classes for financial aid purposes.
8. Other institutions will use their own policies for reviewing the student’s transcript and calculating the student’s GPA for admissions purposes.  Their policies may not acknowledge the application of another institution’s academic forgiveness policy to course grades and GPA calculation.

Academic Recognition

Graduation Honors and Awards

Graduates in programs leading to a degree or diploma qualify for academic recognition at graduation. Students earning a cumulative GPA of 4.00 in their program will be granted a degree or diploma with high honors.  Students earning a cumulative GPA of 3.50 to 3.99 in their program will be granted a degree or diploma with honors.

Honor Society - Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year colleges.  The purpose of the society is to recognize academic excellence among two-year college students, provide opportunities for leadership training, provide an intellectual climate for the interchange of ideas and ideals and instill in students the desire for continued education.  In order to qualify for membership, students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better and have earned at least 18 and no more than 48 hours of credit and be enrolled in an associate degree program.  Current members must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 to remain in good standing.

Semester Honors

 Credit students who earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 to 3.999 for the semester are named to the Dean’s List for the semester.  Credit students with a GPA of 4.0 are named to the President’s List for the semester.  To be eligible for these honors, students:

1. Must be approved and enrolled in a program. (This excludes students in special credit and certificate programs.)
2. Must earn their GPA on a minimum of nine credit hours of credit courses.
3. Must have completed all coursework for the semester.  Students with grades of incomplete (I) will not be eligible.

Commencement

Commencement is held at the end of spring semester on the date published in the academic calendar. Degrees, diplomas and certificates are awarded at this time.  Students must notify the director of Records/Registrar of their intention to participate in the exercises when they submit their Intent to Graduate Form at the time of their last semester registration.

Commencement Marshals

Marshals are selected from students in degree programs who have maintained the highest scholastic averages.  The marshal who has the highest academic average is named chief marshal.

School Rings

Students in good standing who have completed at least one-half of the credit hours required for graduation in their program may order a school ring.  Students are required to pay a deposit at the time the ring is ordered, with the balance due upon delivery.  Rings may be ordered in the Forsyth Tech Bookstore (lower level), Technology and Student Services Building, Main Campus, during the annual Graduate Fair, and at other student events as announced and via the bookstore’s TechLink page.

Academic Appeals

Academic Dishonesty, Cheating, and Related Offenses (Rule 9 of the Student Code of Conduct)

The appeal process for a violation of Rule 9 of the Student Code of Conduct begins when the student is notified of the violation by the instructor.  The student must meet with the instructor at the time of the notification or before the next class meeting regarding the charge.  At the discretion of the instructor, the student may be withdrawn from the course and receive a W grade prior to the last date to withdraw.

If the student wishes to continue the appeal, he/she must notify the department chair (within two workdays) and arrange a conference. The student must provide the department chair with a letter of appeal at the time of the conference. The letter of appeal must include:

1. Date, student’s name, signature, telephone number and official student email address.
2. Course number, sections number and instructor’s name.
3. Brief factual explanation of why the student feels that the charge is incorrect.
4. Provide any supporting documentation.

After conferencing with the department chair, if the issue is still not resolved, the student will notify the dean in writing (within one workday of the conference) and request a hearing before the divisional academic appeals committee.  The department chair will forward the letter of appeal and supporting documentation to the dean.  The dean will convene a committee (within two workdays) to hear the appeal.  This committee will hear the appeal and make a final decision (within one workday) which will be reported to the dean.  Within 24 hours, the dean will notify the student (by phone and student email account), the instructor and the department chair of the committee’s decision.  The decision of the committee is final.

Grade Appeal

Any appeal of a course grade should begin with a scheduled conference between student and instructor by the first day of a new semester.  If the appeal is not resolved at this level, the student should contact and arrange for a conference with the appropriate department chair.  The student has the responsibility of providing the department chair with a written letter of appeal by the third class day of the new semester in order for the appeal to be considered.  The letter of appeal must include:

1. Date, student’s name, signature and telephone number.
2. Prefix and number of course grade being appealed.
3. Instructor’s name issuing the grade.
4. Letter of three pages or less containing factual and valid reasons why the student thinks the grade is incorrect.  The chair may return the letter to the student to clarify, to add factual information or to state reasons for the appeal.  The revised letter must be returned to the department chair within two working days.  The committee may reject the appeal if policies and procedures have not been followed by the student.
5. Any supporting documentation the student feels is needed to better explain student’s questions as to grade determination.

After conferencing with the department chair, if the issue is still not resolved, the student

will notify the dean in writing (within two workdays of the conference) of the need for a divisional academic appeals committee.  The department chair will forward the letter of appeal and supporting documentation to the dean.  The dean will convene a committee (within three workdays) to hear the appeal.  This committee will hear the appeal and make a final decision (within three workdays) which will be reported to the dean.  Within 24 hours of receiving the information, the dean will mail the committee’s decision to the student, the instructor and the department chair.  The decision of the committee is final.

Academic Standing Policy 

The following academic standing policy is designed to promote student learning and success by alerting students of potential academic problems in time to take corrective action.  For the purposes of this policy, a term is defined as Fall semester, Spring semester, and Summer session.

Note: Certain academic programs have academic standing policies that are more rigorous than the general academic standing policy.  These policies will be given to each student upon admission into the program.  Students must adhere to the academic standing policies for the program in which they are enrolled.

Financial Aid:  Students receiving financial aid are required to meet the academic standards as outlined in the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy in addition to the requirements of the academic standing policy.

Good Standing:   Each student must earn a term grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher to remain in good academic standing.

Academic Alert:  If a student’s term GPA falls below 2.0, the student will be placed on Academic Alert.  Students on Academic Alert:

• will be notified of their academic status by email to their Forsyth Tech student account after grades are posted.
• will be blocked from registering for future terms until they meet with their academic advisor or designated individual. 
• may not register for more than 12 credits per term (12 credits for a 15-week term, 6 credits for a 9-week term).
• must earn a term GPA of 2.0 or higher while on Academic Alert. Failure to earn a 2.0 will result in Academic Probation.

Academic Probation:  If a student’s term GPA falls below 2.0 for two consecutive terms, the student will be placed on Academic Probation. Students on Academic Probation:

• will be notified of their academic status by email to their Forsyth Tech student account after grades are posted and a letter will be sent to the student’s mailing address on file. 
• will be blocked from registering for future terms until they meet with their academic advisor or designated individual.
• may not register for more than 9 credits per term (9 credits for a 15-week term, 6 credits for a 9-week term).
• must earn a term GPA of 2.0 or higher while on Academic Probation.  Failure to earn a 2.0 will result in Academic Suspension.
• will remain on Academic Probation until they earn a term GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Academic Suspension:  If while on Academic Probation a student earns less than a term GPA of 2.0, the student will be placed on Academic Suspension.  Students on Academic Suspension:

• will be notified of their academic status by email to their Forsyth Tech student account after grades are posted and a letter will be sent to the student’s mailing address on file. 
• are officially prohibited from enrolling in credit courses at Forsyth Tech for one term (Fall, Spring or Summer).
• must complete Academic Recovery Modules, submit the Academic Readmission Application, and successfully complete all of the required steps in the readmission process.
• may register only for continuing education courses at Forsyth Tech until officially readmitted to credit courses.

Readmission following Academic Suspension:  Students readmitted after Academic Suspension will be placed on Academic Probation and:

• will be blocked from registering for future terms until they have completed Academic Recovery Modules, submitted the Academic Readmission Application, and successfully completed all required steps in the readmission process.
• may not register for more than 9 credits during the first enrolled term after readmission (9 credits for a 15-week term, 6 credits for a 9-week term).
• must achieve a term GPA of 2.0 or higher during the first enrolled term after readmission.  Failure to earn a 2.0 will result in Academic Suspension.

If the student earns a term GPA below 2.0 while on Academic Probation following an Academic Suspension, or the student fails to comply with the readmission requirements, the student will again be placed on Academic Suspension.

Appeals Process for Academic Standing

Financial Aid:  The academic standing appeal process is conducted separately from the Financial Aid Suspension appeal process. Students who have had financial aid suspended due to unsatisfactory progress should refer to the SAP policy for the Financial Aid Suspension appeals process.

A student may appeal an academic standing decision by:

1. Submitting a written request to the appropriate division dean within 5 business days of the date of the academic standing notice. The letter of appeal must include:
   1. Date, student’s name, student ID number, telephone number, and official student email address.
   2. Factual explanation of why the student feels that the decision is incorrect.
   3. Provide any supporting documentation.

      2.  The dean will present the appeal to the academic appeals committee.

      3.  The academic appeals committee will make the final decision.

      4.  The dean will send notification to the student, the department chairperson and   

           the student’s academic advisor via Forsyth Tech email.

Intellectual Property Policy

Students own the copyrights in all works they have created, unless, prior to the creation of the work, assigned the copyright in that “Student Work” to Forsyth Tech through a formal, signed contract. However, as a condition of enrollment and in consideration for such enrollment, the creator of a Student Work shall be deemed to have granted Forsyth Tech a College License with respect to all Student Works created by that Student. In addition to the standard terms of a College License, permissible uses of Student Works shall include, but are not limited to, educational, promotion, publicity and fundraising efforts by Forsyth Tech. Forsyth Tech also has the right to sub-license the use of the Student Works to third parties for a finite period of time for the limited purposes of display and reproduction in the context of promotional efforts. For more information on our Intellectual Property Policy and how it pertains to students, please access the Intellectual Property Policy in the Student Section of Techlink, Instructional Services, New and Revised Policies.

Transfer to Four-Year Colleges and Universities

The associate in arts (A.A.) and associate in science (A.S.) degrees are approved for transfer through the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement.  The college transfer program is designed to provide a quality educational experience equivalent to the first two years of a four-year college program.  Students who have earned the degree of A.A. or A.S. can transfer to most North Carolina public and private four-year institutions with full junior year standing.  A minimum grade of “C” in every course is required for acceptable transfer credit.  

Uniform Articulation Agreement (Associate in Engineering)

Uniform Articulation Agreement between the UNC Baccalaureate Engineering Programs and the NC Community College System Associate in Engineering Programs

The Uniform Articulation Agreement promotes educational advancement opportunities for Associate in Engineering (A10500) completers and the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina in order to complete Bachelor of Science in Engineering degrees.

This Associate in Engineering to Bachelor of Science in Engineering Articulation Agreement (AE to BSE AA) is between the State Board of North Carolina Community Colleges and The University of North Carolina Board of Governors.  It applies to all NC community colleges that operate the AE program and to UNC constituent institutions (ECU, NC A&T, NCSU, UNC-Charlotte and Western Carolina).

Reference:  NCCCS, College Transfer/Articulation Agreements

Uniform Articulation Agreement (RN to BSN)

The Uniform Articulation Agreement promotes educational advancement opportunities for registered nurses moving between North Carolina community colleges and the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina in order to complete Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

This Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Articulation Agreement (RN to BSN AA) is between the State Board of North Carolina community colleges and The University of North Carolina Board of Governors.  It applies to all NC community colleges that operate associate degree nursing programs and to those 11 constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina that operate RN to BSN Programs (Appalachian State University, Fayetteville State University, East Carolina University, NC A & T University, NC Central University, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Pembroke, UNC-Wilmington, Western Carolina University and Winston-Salem State University). 

Reference:  NCCS, College Transfer /Articulation Agreements.

The college transfer program enables students to prepare for virtually any area of major interest. Courses are offered in mathematics, composition and literature, humanities, physical education, and the social, physical, and life sciences.  Counselors and academic advisors are available to assist students in planning acceptable programs for transfer to desired colleges or universities.  Technical-level credit earned in the associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree programs at Forsyth Tech may be transferred to similar programs at other institutions.  However, acceptability of all technical transfer credit is determined by the institution to which students wish to transfer.  Diploma credit is not transferable to four-year institutions.

The College has two-plus-two A.A.S. agreements with local colleges and universities.  Students should contact the Student Success Center, college transfer counselor at 336.734.7156 for information regarding these opportunities for transfer of credit to four-year institutions.