In order to assist students in achieving their educational goals, each student is assigned an academic advisor. Advisors assist students with advising or degree program questions, goal setting, course registration, referral to campus resources, and other services designed to contribute to their academic experience. The Office of Student Records and Information Management ensures that students are assigned to a degree program advisor and coordinates new student advising and registration. The ultimate responsibility lies with the individual student to comply with all academic policies and to fulfill graduation requirements.
A degree audit is a computer-generated analysis that enables the student and his/her advisor to assess the student's academic progress and unfulfilled requirements. The audit is a valuable tool for academic planning and course selection, because it matches the courses that the student has taken with the requirements of his/her program or anticipated program. Degree audits are available through SonisWeb for anyone who has enrolled for credit at Cabarrus College.
The degree audit is not the student's official College academic record. The transcript is the official record of completed work.
The following are processes and procedures for academic grievances and appeals. A student may grieve and appeal a grade, an academic policy decision, or academic dismissal. It is the intent of these provisions to guarantee fair procedure rather than to interfere with the prerogative of the faculty to evaluate the quality of a student’s course work.
If a student has a grievance concerning any grade, academic policy decision, or academic college dismissal, he or she first must meet with the instructor or decision maker to discuss the concern. This meeting must occur within 5 business days of notification of the grade, policy decision or academic dismissal. If dissatisfied with the outcome of the meeting, the student may appeal the grade or decision to a higher authority within 5 business days of the instructor’s or decision maker’s ruling. Faculty advisors and the Coordinator, Retention and Student Success may assist students by explaining the appeal process. Decision makers are expected to meet with the student within 5 business days and render a decision within 5 business days of the meeting.
If the instructor or decision maker is away during the specified timelines, the process will continue once the individual returns to the office. In rare situations, a designee may be appointed by the individual to resume the process during his/her absence.
Academic decisions rendered by the Provost shall be final and are not subject to further College review.
Unresolved complaints associated with consumer protection laws, including but not limited to allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity, can be elevated to the state level once the appeal process is concluded with the College. In such cases, students may contact the NC portal agency, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement North Carolina (SARA NC), and follow the agency’s complaint process. The SARA-NC-ComplaintForm.pdf (saranc.org) can be accessed on the college’s website. The contact information for SARA-NC is:
Grade Decisions
Academic Policy Decisions
Academic College Dismissals
Click here to access the Grievance/Academic Appeal Checklist
Students may be enrolled on either a full time or part time basis. A graduate student enrolled in nine (9) or more semester hours is considered to be a full-time student. All other graduate students are considered part-time. An undergraduate student who is enrolled in twelve (12) or more semester hours is considered to be a full-time student. All other undergraduate students are considered part time. Sixteen (16) credit hours are considered a maximum academic load for graduate students and eighteen (18) credit hours are considered a maximum load for undergraduate students. Special permission must be obtained from the College administration to exceed these limits.
Any graduate student with a cumulative GPA of 2.99 or lower or any undergraduate student with a cumulative GPA of 1.99 or lower at the end of any semester will be placed on academic probation. "Academic Probation" will appear on the official transcript. (NOTE: Academic Probation may include stipulations, remediation, and a redesigning of the student's curriculum plan). The Provost or designee will send a letter alerting the student to his/her probationary status. Students on Academic Probation are required to meet with the Coordinator for Advising and Student Success to develop an Academic Improvement Plan, prior to registration for the following term. A student who is on academic probation has two (2) semesters, which may include summer sessions depending on the program, to achieve minimum cumulative GPA standards (3.00 graduate; 2.00 undergraduate) or to meet program specific academic progression requirements.
If an undergraduate student has fewer than 12 cumulative credit hours, the student will have an additional semester (or three total consecutively enrolled semesters) to increase both the credit hours to 12 and the cumulative GPA in order to be removed from academic probation. Graduate students must be enrolled as defined by credit hours or program requirements during the subsequent term. At the end of the subsequent term, the graduate student must increase his/her cumulative GPA to the minimum requirement or above, in order to be removed from academic probation. Students should inquire if the restriction of probation will have any financial aid consequences for their particular case, by consulting with the office of Financial Aid.
Being placed on academic probation in and of itself is not subject to appeal.
Failure to meet the probationary requirements as described above will result in academic dismissal.
Students who fail to adhere to the following may also be dismissed from the college:
Graduate Programs
All graduate students must:
Undergraduate Programs
All undergraduate students must:
Education records are kept by College offices to facilitate the educational development of students. Faculty and staff members may also keep informal records relating to their functional responsibilities with individual students.
A federal law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, also known as the Buckley Amendment, affords students certain rights concerning their education records. Students have the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from their records. Educational institutions have the responsibility to prevent improper disclosure of personally identifiable information from the records.
Student and Parent Rights Relating To Education Records
Students have the right to know about the purposes, content, and location of information kept as part of their education records. They have the right to gain access to and challenge the content of their education records. FERPA was not intended to provide a process to be used to question substantive judgments that are correctly recorded. The right of challenge is not intended to allow students to contest, for example, a grade in a course because they felt a higher grade should have been assigned. Students also have the right to expect that information in their education records will be kept confidential, disclosed only with their permission or under provisions of the law.
FERPA considers all students independent which limits the education record information that may be released to parents, without the student's specific written permission, to directory information. Parents have the right, under certain conditions, to gain access to information in the student's education records. Parents who claimed the student as a dependent on their most recent IRS 1040 are permitted access to the student's education records.
Directory Information
Some information about students is considered directory information. Directory information may be publically shared by the institution unless the student has taken formal action to restrict its release. Directory information includes:
Students may elect to suppress their Directory Information by going to the Office of Student Records and Information Management. The student will be required to complete and sign the "Suppression of Directory Information Request Form" officially requesting the suppression of their respective Directory Information. The College assumes that the student does not object to the release of the Directory Information unless the student files the official Suppression of Directory Information Request Form.
Cabarrus College's policy statement implementing FERPA is maintained by, and available for review in the Office of the Dean, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Students should address questions, concerns, or problems to the Dean's office. Students may file complaints regarding alleged failure of the College to comply with FERPA with The Family Policy Compliance Office, US Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605; (202) 260-3887, FAX: (202) 260-9001.
A student may be permitted to attend and participate in a course for self-enrichment but not for academic credit. Permission of the course instructor is required for a student to audit a course.
Applications for change of major can be made at any time. Associate in Science students seeking admission into a clinical program generally should request change of major during the second semester of study. Requests received by the published application deadlines for each semester are guaranteed for consideration and decision prior to course registration for the following semester. Applications for change of major are considered on a competitive basis. Criteria for change of major requests include: meeting any minimum standardized test score requirements; academic history (high school and college); grades in science and math courses; and grades in courses enrolled in at Cabarrus College, especially science and math courses. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they meet all program admissions criteria.
If a change of major is desired, students should complete the Change of Major request form and meet with their current advisor to submit the form and discuss eligibility. Student requests for change of major will be reviewed and decided upon by the appropriate academic Program Chair.
Admission into one program does not guarantee admission into another program. A change of major acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of currently enrolled coursework, continued good academic standing at Cabarrus College, and fulfillment of any additional program specific requirements. Once accepted into a new program, students must meet with the new program advisor prior to registration and meet any additional admission requirements prior to the first day of enrollment. If a student chooses not to accept the new program offer, he/she should immediately inform the Director, Student Records and Information Management.
It is the responsibility of all students to notify the College immediately upon a change of name, address, or telephone number. The preferred method to change data is for the student to utilize the SONISWEB System. The College is not responsible for any correspondence the student may miss due to the student's failure to notify the College of such. Legal documentation is required to change a name.
Credit by departmental examination is available to students who have had experiences (e.g., employment, course work) that do not warrant transfer credit or advanced placement for a course, but indicate a probable proficiency in the area of study as determined by the program chair. Eligible courses vary by the program.
To challenge a course by departmental examination, the student must complete the Credit by Examination Application and Authorization form and complete the following requirements:
A course must be challenged before the course begins. A grade of "80" or better is required to receive credit for the course. A student must register for the course during the registration period and attend class until notification of exam results.
The challenge exam for courses involving laboratory and clinical experiences contains separate exams for both components of the course. The student must pass both components with a grade of "80" to receive credit for the course. The letters "CE" (Credit by Exam) will be recorded on the transcript to indicate the examination was passed. Upon successful completion of the challenge exam, the non-refundable fee is applied to the next session's tuition.
Hours earned through credit by examination will not be counted in determining hours for full time status. The student is allowed only one challenge exam attempt per eligible course. A student may not pursue credit by examination for a course in which they had previously earned a "D" or "F".
Experiential Learning is the mastery of course content and/or student learning outcomes gained through applicable work experience or specialized training. These experiences are obtained outside of a formal academic setting. Learning experiences must occur within five years of the current application date. A request for credit for experiential learning should be made four weeks in advance of the specific course offering. Students requesting credit for experiential learning must first meet all requirements for admission and enrollment and submit the following items to the Office of Student Records and Information Management:
Students may drop or add a course at any time during the registration period, but not beyond the published last day to drop a course in the academic calendar by logging into Sonis. Students may withdraw from a course at any time during the semester prior to the 80% completion point within the semester.
The procedure and consequences vary and are outlined below. If the student drops a course by the published deadline, the student is considered never enrolled and the course will not be listed on an official transcript.
After the published deadline, a student must withdraw from the course and the course will appear on their transcript with a grade as outlined below:
Should a student stop attending a course at any time without officially dropping the course, the student is considered enrolled and will receive the grade earned in the course and is responsible for the full tuition.
Students must use the Withdrawal Form (see “Forms” on the Cabarrus College website) to withdraw from a course after the Drop/Add period. The Withdrawal Form applies anytime the student withdraws from the course.
Licensed practical nurses seeking extra-institutional credit for their license must meet the College's general admission criteria as well as admission criteria for the ADN program with the exception of the NA I requirement which will be waived. In addition, they must:
Upon admission to the ADN program, the LPN who scores 70 or above on the NACEI Foundations of Nursing exam will receive extra-institutional credit for BIO 100 (Medical Terminology), NSG 101 (Introduction to Professional Nursing), and NSG 111 (Foundations in Nursing – Health Promotions). Call 704-403-1556 to schedule the exam and receive information regarding exam costs. The LPN will be required to complete the general education courses or equivalents that are prerequisite to NSG 121 (Foundations in Nursing – Chronic Conditions).
Grading Scale:
A = 93-100
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
F = less than 60
Recorded numerical grades will be rounded to the next whole number; however, this will not be done until the end of the term, when the final average is calculated. If a grade is five tenths or greater, it will be rounded to the next whole number.
Other Designations:
AU= Audit/No Credit
This is noted when a student has been permitted to attend and participate in a course for self-enrichment but not for academic credit.
I=Incomplete
This is a temporary grade assigned at the discretion of the instructor when a student who is otherwise completing the course satisfactorily has not, due to various circumstances, completed all the work in the course. The "I" must be removed within a period of time specified by the course instructor, generally no later than the beginning of final examinations of the following semester (not including summer). If the missing coursework or clinical hours are not completed by the specified deadline, the grade of "I" will be changed to a grade of "F" by the instructor. Neither grade points nor credit hours will be awarded for a grade of "I."
U= Unsatisfactory
Clinicals, fieldwork, and labs may be offered as one component of an overall course or as a separate stand-alone course. If a student receives a U for a laboratory/clinical/fieldwork component of a course, then a grade of "F" will be recorded for the entire course.
WP= Withdrawal Passing
This notation shall demonstrate that the student was satisfactorily passing the course at the time he/she completed the withdrawal process.
WF= Withdrawal Failing
This indicates that the student had a failing grade as of the last date of class attended prior to withdrawal/dismissal.
At the end of each academic session, students can view their official semester grade reports online using Sonis.
Each student must submit the following forms to the Office of Student Records and Information Management:
Each student must meet the following:
Students who are scheduled to complete all program requirements no later than the last day of the second summer session following spring commencement may participate in the spring exercises, with program chair certification. This includes students lacking no more than six semester hours of credit toward completion of all degree requirements or who have a single internship or practicum. Medical Assistant and Occupational Therapy students may still participate in spring exercises if they are scheduled to complete all requirements by the end of the summer semester, as well as students in other programs with special permission granted by the Provost. Students must submit all necessary paperwork for graduation (see above) by the stated deadline in order to participate. A student may not participate in two separate graduation exercises for the same degree.
The calculation of graduation rates below are listed as the percentage of diploma/degree-seeking undergraduate students in a particular year (entering cohort) completing their program on time (150%).
Diploma Programs: Fall | |||||
Entering Cohort | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Graduated on Time | 72.7% | 80.0% | 65.0% | 64.7% | 100.0% |
Graduated | 72.7% | 80.0% | 65.0% | 64.7% | 100.0% |
Associate Degree Programs: Fall | |||||
Entering Cohort | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Graduated on Time | 51.0% | 61.2% | 59.6% | 63.3% | 60.5% |
Graduated | 51.0% | 61.2% | 59.6% | 63.3% | 60.5% |
Bachelor Degree Programs: Fall |
|||||
Entering Cohort | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Graduated on Time | 48.6% | 60.9% | 70.3% | 66.7% | 85.7% |
Graduated | 48.6% | 60.9% | 70.3% | 66.7% | 85.7% |
Master Degree Programs: Fall |
|||||
Entering Cohort | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Graduated on Time | 100.0% | 54.5% | 80.0% | 85.0% | 100.0% |
Graduated | 100.0% | 54.5% | 80.0% | 85.0% | 100.0% |
When a student needs extra time to complete student learning outcomes because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, the instructor may give a grade of "I" (Incomplete) as a temporary grade. An "I" is not to be given to a student already doing failing work. The student who receives an "I" grade must complete the work no later than the beginning of final examinations of the following semester (not including summer), earlier if possible. The instructor may request an extension in unusual circumstances by obtaining, completing (including all signatures) and submitting the necessary form to the office of Student Records and Information Management. If the previous conditions are not met, the Incomplete grade is automatically converted to an "F" grade.
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is committed to providing an educational learning and professional working environment for all students and employees that maintains equality, dignity and respect. In keeping with this commitment, Cabarrus College strictly prohibits discriminatory practices including harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, creed, ethnicity, age, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, marital or parental status, military status, or on any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and/or other human/civil rights agencies.
The College complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulations, which prohibit discrimination (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) based on sex in the College’s educational programs, services and activities. Title IX also prohibits retaliation or adverse action taken against any student or employee for submitting a complaint, reporting harassment or participating in an investigation. Any violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Please refer to the policy here.
Official copies of transcripts and other academic record components are released to designated institutions and or individuals upon completion of the Authorization of Record Release form by the student or former student. A fee is charged for each copy according to the published schedule. Academic records from other institutions are not released.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is considered for courses which meet the following criteria:
Applicants requesting transfer credit for courses in the major may also be asked to submit the following:
Grades in courses being transferred are not utilized in the calculation of GPA.
All transfer credits must be finalized with the Office of Student Records and Information Management by the end of the first semester of enrollment. After the tuition deposit has been paid, the Office of Student Records and Information Management will review and award approved transfer credits prior to the first day of registration. Students are encouraged to compare their program curriculum plan to their degree audit to confirm transfer credit awarded and the courses in which to register.
Graduate students receiving transfer credit must meet all admission requirements or approved equivalents and must complete a minimum of one-third of the total credit hours needed for graduation at Cabarrus College. Undergraduate students receiving transfer credit must meet all admission requirements or approved equivalents and must complete a minimum of 25% of the total credit hours needed for graduation at Cabarrus College. The minimum must include at least 50% of the credit hours in the major completed in residency at Cabarrus College; with the exception of a diploma to associate degree completion program in which students must complete a minimum of 25% of the total credit hours.
Once a student is enrolled at Cabarrus College, additional transfer credit will be awarded only if approval from the Office of Students Records and Information Management and Provost is obtained prior to dual enrollment in another college.
Block Transfer Credit into Baccalaureate Programs
Allied Health and Nursing Students applying to baccalaureate completion programs at Cabarrus College may receive block credit for a previously earned professional diploma or degree. Block transfer is a process in which a block of credits is granted to students who have completed a certificate, diploma, degree or some cluster of courses that is recognized as having an academic integrity that relates to a particular degree program. The College generally grants up to two full years toward a four year degree program, with no additional requirements so that students attending full time should be able to graduate in a total of four years.
Block credit will be evaluated using the following criteria:
All transfer credit will be approved by the Office of Student Records and Information Management according to established guidelines.
Faxed transcripts are considered unofficial and may be used as working documents ONLY. Official transcripts are necessary before enrollment.
College Board Advanced Placement (AP) and CLEP Exams
A student may earn credit for general education courses by attaining acceptable scores (4 or 5) on the Advanced Placement Program (AP exam) of the College Entrance Examinations Board (CEEB) or a credit granting score of 50 or better on College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject exam of the College Board. Credit by examination appears on the student's transcript but is not included in the calculation of GPA.
A student may enroll in a course a maximum of two (2) times (this includes courses attempted and/or completed). A student may repeat a maximum of two (2) major courses per admission, except in associate degree nursing wherein students may repeat a maximum of one (1) nursing major course per admission. There are no restrictions on the number of general education courses that can be repeated. The second enrollment will be on a space available basis at the time of registration. Only the grade obtained on repeating the course will be used in determining GPA and is considered the final grade; however, both courses and grades will appear on the transcript. Final course grades are included in the calculation of the GPA for honors at graduation. This applies only to the courses taken and repeated at this institution.
Student Conduct Code, Disciplinary Actions and Appeal Procedure
Students are expected to adhere to the student code of conduct and uphold the College values of caring, commitment, teamwork, and integrity. If at any time it is the judgment of the faculty, staff, or administration that a student has failed to meet the behavioral expectations of the College, the student may face disciplinary action leading up to or including probation, suspension, or dismissal. The full policy can be located in the Student Handbook and online.
Cabarrus College provides a formal system that guides the College and the student through the voluntary and involuntary withdrawal processes. Withdrawal from a course or the College may be voluntary (requested) or involuntary (dismissal).
From a Course
Voluntary Withdrawal
Students may self-elect to withdraw from a course at any time during the semester prior to the 80% completion point in the course. The last day to withdraw from a course varies depending on the length of the course. The date will be clearly indicated on the master calendar in the college’s catalog. If a student elects to withdraw from a course prior to the 80% completion point, they will receive a “W” if passing and a “WF” if failing (less than 60).
Involuntary Withdrawal
Students are expected to actively engage in their courses by attending each class, lab, or clinical meetings and by completing all assigned learning activities (daily assignments, quizzes, papers, problem-sets, etc.). Failure to routinely complete assignments or attend class per syllabus requirements may place students in jeopardy of being administratively withdrawn. Although attendance taking is not required by the College, course faculty maintain the right to administratively withdraw a student from their respective course(s) for failure to comply with academic requirements including, but not limited to:
Students administratively withdrawn after the 80% completion point will be assigned a failing grade. The official determination date and the official withdrawal date is the date the College initiates the withdrawal process.
Voluntary or involuntary course withdrawals may affect a student’s financial aid awards.
From the College - Leave of Absence
The College requires that all degree-seeking students enroll in course work every fall and spring semester during their academic career. Some degree programs may require summer enrollment. If a student’s academic plans must be discontinued, the student must choose one of two options: a Curriculum Leave of Absence (CLOA) or Withdrawal from the College. A Student’s academic advisor can help students decide the more appropriate course of action for their situation.
Failure to formally request a CLOA or withdrawal will result in the automatic removal from the official roll via an Administrative/Involuntary Withdrawal, and the student must re-apply through the Admissions Office for reinstatement of degree status.
A CLOA releases the student from degree study for up to one academic year, after which the student may resume study according to regular registration procedures. The student must complete and submit the official request for CLOA on the Student Withdrawal Form, the required non-refundable fee, (which does not guarantee placement, but simply keeps the student’s academic record active, and is applied to the tuition when the student returns) and return the name badge to the college. The request must be approved by a College official and re-enrollment is on a space available basis. The student is required to meet the curriculum requirements of the class in which the student is to re-enroll. Individuals returning from a CLOA will pay tuition according to the current tuition and fee schedule.
At the end of one year on CLOA, the student must re-enroll or withdraw from the College at which point the CLOA fee will be forfeited. A CLOA is treated the same as a withdrawal for financial aid purposes. Students returning from a CLOA must follow the enrollment requirements of new students listed in the admission to the college section of this catalog. This includes but is not limited to an updated background check and drug screen.
From the College - Withdrawal (Voluntary)
A student withdrawal from the College is appropriate if the student wishes to discontinue study at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences for the foreseeable future. This officially closes the student’s file and serves as notice that the student initiated separation from the College. Failure to withdraw officially can seriously complicate any effort to resume study at this or another institution.
If a student wishes to withdraw voluntarily from the College, he/she should obtain the Withdrawal Form from the college website and complete all parts of the form, and return the completed form to the Office of Student Records and Information Management. For a Withdrawal or CLOA to be finalized, the student’s completed Withdrawal Form must be filed in the Office of Student Records and Information Management. The date the student signs the Withdrawal Form is the official date of withdrawal.
When a request is submitted prior to the last date for withdrawal (as determined by the Provost and published in the academic calendar) a grade of W is recorded for all courses in which the student is currently enrolled. If the request is submitted after the deadline for withdrawal only extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Appeals Process, justify the granting of W grades. Requests for leaves of absence and student withdrawals are processed through the Office of Student Records and Information Management.
From the College - Withdrawal (Involuntary)
Involuntary withdrawal occurs when a student fails to meet certain standards to remain in the College. If at any time it is the judgment of the faculty, staff, and/or administration that a student has failed to meet the academic, behavioral or health policies of the College, the student may be academically dismissed and will not be eligible for tuition refunds.
Failure to register for subsequent semesters or submit a Withdrawal Form will result in an Administrative/Involuntary Withdrawal from the College.