1. An application on the official form furnished by the college.

* 2. An official transcript from an accredited high school indicating graduation date or receipt of an official transcript from the State Department of Education showing satisfactory scores on the General Education Development (GED) Test.

** 3. Scores on the American College Test (ACT). Applicants 25 years of age or older are exempt from the ACT requirement, except in certain technical programs.

4. A $50 room deposit if the student is to live on campus.

Admission to the college does not necessarily guarantee admission to a specific program. It is necessary to check the prerequisites for each program. Additionally, some specific classes have prerequisites or restrictive admission requirements.

* Graduates of district high schools which are not fully accredited may be admitted on probation.

** All ACT score requirements in the catalog refer to the Enhanced ACT score.

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Homeschooling

The application of a student graduating from a homeschool program or from a non-accredited school will be referred to the Admissions Committee and will be considered on an individual basis. This committee will make a recommendation to the Executive Vice President regarding enrollment status.

Transfer Students

A transfer student is defined as one who has satisfactorily completed twelve or more semester hours of college transfer credit at another regionally accredited college or university. These individuals must complete an application on the official Co-Lin form furnished by the college. An official transcript of all work done at all institutions previously attended must be submitted to the Director of Admissions. A student who is transferring less than twelve semester hours of credit must also meet the requirements of first time entering students as outlined in the college catalog. If 28 or more semester hours are accepted for transfer, a student may be admitted as a sophomore.

Course work transferred in or accepted for credit toward a degree must be completed at an institution accredited as degree-granting by a postsecondary regional accrediting commission at the time the course work was completed. Exceptions to this policy will be determined by the Executive Vice President. Applicants whose records show unsatisfactory scholastic standing may be accepted on probation by the Executive Vice President or the Dean of the Natchez Campus if their individual cases indicate they deserve such consideration. Students who are on academic suspension from another institution will not be eligible to enter Copiah-Lincoln Community College until they are eligible to re-enter the institution from which they are suspended.

All grades of "D" or above will be accepted as hours attempted and hours passed. If a student has less than a 2.00 GPA on transfer work as determined by the current method of computing grade point average, sufficient quality points must be earned at Co-Lin in order to graduate. Excessive quality points from another institution cannot be used to raise a deficient grade point average on courses taken at Co-Lin.

All transfer work is evaluated by the Director of Admissions at each campus. He/she assesses and determines the courses which should apply toward degree requirements. Transfer of any technical credits (other than college transfer credits) is evaluated on an individual basis. Where there is a question of judgment, the Executive Vice President or the Dean of the Natchez Campus will be consulted as appropriate. Developmental work will not be accepted as transfer work toward meeting graduation requirements.

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 Admission Requirements for
Vocational Programs*

1. Application and transcript from last school attended should be on file in the Admissions office.

2. Applicants must make acceptable scores on achievement and aptitude tests as determined necessary for entry into a specific program. All full-time vocational students must take the Test of Adult Basic Education. Deficiencies in language, reading, and mathematics will indicate the need for additional instruction in these areas until proficient levels are achieved.

3. Applicants must score a minimum of 5.5 in reading, 5.5 in mathematics, 3.5 in language, and 5.1 on the total battery Level A of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE).

4. Applicants must be of legal working age (18) upon completion of program.

5. Applicants can be interviewed by instructor and/or advisor prior to registration.

6. Applicants must meet specific requirements under the program description.

NOTE: See specific requirements listed under the program descriptions.

* Subject to change in order to comply with State Department of Education Vocational-Technical Division Regulations.

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Honors Program

The purpose of the Honors Program is to provide enriched educational experiences for academically talented students. Specially designed honors classes in English, history, and science are offered to stimulate the honor student's spirit of inquiry and to provide the opportunity for more in-depth study.

The Honors Program gives students the opportunity to engage in independent projects and research, to confront greater intellectual challenges, to participate in more intensive intellectual discussion, and to join with others of similar ability in an atmosphere of stimulation and camaraderie.

In order to enroll in the Honors Program a student should

(1) have a superior ACT score, or
(2) have a superior grade point average, or
(3) have a recommendation from Co-Lin teachers or counselors.

Honors courses are block scheduled so that honors students may register for all of these courses without conflict. Honors courses have numbers and titles especially selected to distinguish them from comparable regular courses. Transcripts designate credit earned in these courses as honors course credit.

Courses offered in the Honors Program are: ENG 1213, Honors Composition I; ENG 1223, Honors Composition II; ENG 2353, Honors English Literature I; ENG 2363, Honors English Literature II; HIS 1153, Honors World Civilization II; BIO 1154, Honors General Biology I, BIO 1164, Honors General Biology II.

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Advanced Placement Credit

Students from cooperating high schools can earn up to nine (9) semester hours credit, with no more than three (3) semester hours or one (1) course in a given subject-matter area, through the College Board's Advanced Placement Testing Program. Credit may be awarded for College Board test scores of 3 or above for each Advanced Placement examination. The awarding of credit is administered by the Office of Admissions and Records.

Accepted Advanced Placement credits are recorded on the student's transcript and may apply toward the meeting of graduation requirements. No grades or quality points are given for Advanced Placement credits. Therefore, such credits are not used in the computing of grade point averages.

Credit by Examination

Copiah-Lincoln Community College will allow credit by examination to those students who have participated in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and have achieved a level acceptable to the college. Credit by examination is limited to a maximum of 24 semester hours. This credit cannot be used to reduce the minimum residence requirement of the college. Credit by examination will be allowed only for those students who have earned a minimum of sixteen (16) semester hours of college credit at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Credit will not be given in courses in which failing grades have been earned. Credit earned through examinations will not be used in the computation of grade point averages. A grade of "P" will be issued for credit allowed by examination.

General Examination (CLEP): Credit will be awarded for each area the student receives a scale score of 500 or above. It is the responsibility of the Admissions and Records Office to determine a person's eligibility to receive such credit. CLEP credit appearing on another institution's transcript will be accepted as transfer credit. Credit will be granted for successful completion of the general examination in the following manner.

Subject Area Examination (CLEP): Credit on the CLEP subject area examination will be awarded only to those students who make a scaled score of 50 or above. The Executive Vice President along with the appropriate Division Chairperson will make the determination as to specific course credit to be granted on CLEP subject area examination. Credit appearing on another institution's transcript will be accepted as transfer credit.

The combined credit on all CLEP examinations, both general and subject area, may not exceed 24 semester hours. Note: These credits may or may not be accepted by each university at their discretion.

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Technical Advanced Placement

Technical Advanced Placement (TAP) is the process through which advanced credit for Copiah-Lincoln Community College courses is awarded to qualified high school students who have completed two years of an articulated technical program on the secondary level with a B average. Articulation and TAP are associated with Tech Prep to prevent duplication of coursework or save time on the postsecondary level.

Procedures and courses eligible for TAP have been identified for Child Development Technology, Computer Information Systems Technology, Drafting and Design Technology, Electronics Technology, Industrial Manufacturing Technology, Instrumentation Technology, Machine Shop Technology, and Office Systems Technology. Curriculum is reviewed annually and will likely include other programs in the future.

A student may initiate the TAP process up to four semesters following high school graduation. No fees are charged, but credit is limited to specific courses approved in articulation agreements with district high schools. The secondary program instructor and vocational director must complete a recommendation form and competency checklist, where applicable. Students must also provide a transcript documenting the B average in the two-year technical program. Students must then successfully complete 15 Co-Lin hours with at least a C average in the corresponding program before the credits are listed on their transcript.

For additional information, contact either the Tech Prep Coordinator at Co-Lin or a counselor or program instructor at the secondary or postsecondary level.

Classification

Students with fewer than 28 semester hours of credit are classified as freshmen; students with 28 semester hours or more are sophomores; students taking work after graduation are special students. The normal load of work is fifteen to eighteen semester hours. All dormitory students will be required to take at least twelve semester hours. The minimum full time load is twelve semester hours; the maximum load is eighteen semester hours. No student may carry hours above the maximum without approval by the Executive Vice President.

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Class Attendance Policy

Policy Statement - Regular class attendance is very important to college success; therefore, students are EXPECTED TO ATTEND CLASS unless it is absolutely necessary to be absent. Students are EXPECTED TO MAKE UP ALL WORK MISSED due to absences. NOTE: A penalty may be assessed for work not made up at the discretion of the instructor for the class missed. Each instructor will be responsible for explaining his/her policy to students at the beginning of the semester. In no case shall the maximum penalty for each occurrence of work not made up result in more than a letter grade reduction for the course. NO ABSENCE is considered FREE. STUDENTS will be RESPONSIBLE to provide a JUSTIFIABLE REASON for EACH ABSENCE to the Appeals Officer if they are cut out of class for excessive absences. Substantiation should be provided in written form where possible (doctor's excuse, parental excuse, etc.).

Allowable Absences - The number of absences allowed in academic, technical, and vocational courses (exceptions noted below) are as follows:

When a student has exceeded the above maximum number of absences by one, the instructor will hand deliver a written notice of excessive absences (cut out) to the student when he/she comes to class the next meeting. The student will be allowed to remain in class that period, but will not be allowed to return to class without authorization from the Appeals Officer. NOTE: If a student has not returned to class within a week after exceeding the maximum number allowed, the excessive absence notice should be sent to the Dean of Academic Instruction or the Dean of Vocational-Technical Instruction. 

Two hours of laboratory counts as one (1) class meeting for academic and technical students.  Daily laboratory periods count as one (1) class meeting for vocational students.

Vocational students who exceed the allowed absences in any course will be terminated from the vocational program in which they are enrolled.

Special Programs - Check with your instructor/coach for special absentee policy in the following programs:

* Note: Students are ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY ABSENCE in each class.

Appeals Process - When a student has been removed from class for excessive absences, that student will have the right to appeal his/her removal to the Dean of Academic Instruction or the Dean of Vocational-Technical Instruction. When considering appeals, the following factors may be taken into consideration:

Total number of absences;
Number of absences which are excused;
Documentation for absences;
Whether student has requested counseling or other assistance in finding a solution to class attendance problems;
Recommendations by instructors.

The decision of the Appeals Officer will be final.  The Appeals Officer will have the authority to reinstate the student in the class for what he/she considers to be justifiable cause. The instructor will receive a notice of action taken.

All appeals must be made within 48 hours of the notification that the student will not be allowed to re-enter class.

Official Absences - Those absences caused by a student representing the college for an approved function are official absences.  The number of these allowable absences will not count against total "allowable" absences; however, the number of official absences will be limited for each class.

When students are to miss classes for approved field trips, a list of names of students and drivers must be submitted to the Executive Vice President at least one week prior to the trip/function.

Tardies - A tardy will be defined as being up to 15 minutes late for class.  Three tardies will constitute an absence.  A student is counted as being absent if the student is more than 15 minutes late to a class.  A vocational student who is absent or tardy more than 15 minutes from a daily lab period will be counted absent for that lab period.

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Course Requirements

Students taking any twelve (12) hours will be classified as full-time students.  Students for whom test requirements indicate the need are to enroll in appropriate developmental studies programs.  The student should refer to the catalog for graduation requirements.

Subject Dropped

Any subject(s) dropped prior to the Friday before exam week will constitute a "W" (withdrawal), provided no excessive absences entered against that student's record for the class being dropped.  A grade of "F" will be recorded for courses in which excessive absences are reported prior to official withdrawal. NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from a course in the Admissions Office.

Grade Regulations

The regular session is divided into two semesters of approximately seventeen weeks each. Most three-hour credit courses meet 150 minutes each week for seventeen weeks. Each semester is divided into two eight-week periods. Grades are mailed to the home address of each student at mid-semester and at the end of the semester.

The final grade in a course is based on the evaluation by the instructor of the work done by the student in the course during the semester.

Incomplete grades are assigned to a student if his/her inability to complete the work for the period was due to sickness or some unavoidable circumstance. This deficiency may be removed during the succeeding semester; otherwise, it will be recorded as an F.

NOTE: There will be no exemptions from final exams.

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Repeated Course Policy

A student at Copiah-Lincoln Community College will be allowed to repeat any course to establish a higher grade for the course. There shall be no limit to the number of times a course may be repeated for this or any other purpose (see ADN section for exception to this policy). No grades will be removed from the transcript; however, only the highest grade will be used in determining overall grade point average (GPA) for that student at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. A student who wishes to have an earlier grade counted as the official grade for a particular course may appeal in writing to the President or the Executive Vice President to have his/her transcript changed. Upon approval, the Director of Admissions and Records will be authorized to make the appropriate changes.

This policy became effective May 2, 1991, but is retroactive for any student transcript being released from that day forward.

NOTE: Most four year colleges have specific policies governing the transfer of credits which place a limit on the number of repeated courses which may be removed from consideration in calculating the GPA for transfer purposes.

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Academic Restart

There are many students who return to Copiah-Lincoln after having been out for several semesters to find that their earlier years at Co-Lin were not academically productive. These students are faced with a deficit in quality points and a low GPA. Sometimes this deficit in earlier grades is such that it prevents these students from graduating from Co-Lin.

In many cases these students simply were not serious about their studies during their earlier experiences at Co-Lin. In other cases students began in a major which required courses for which they were not prepared, resulting in poor grades.

After years of practical experiences in the job market and/or other experiences, these students wish to return to college to pursue their educational aspirations with a much clearer perspective of their life's goals and with a resolve to improve their academic record. In an effort to help these students gain a new start toward reaching their educational goals, Copiah-Lincoln has adopted an "Academic Restart" policy.

Policy: Copies of the Academic Restart Policy are available in the offices of the Executive Vice President, Dean of the Natchez Campus, Director of Admissions and Records - Wesson and Natchez Campus.

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Academic Probation/Suspension

Any student who does not earn at least a 1.5 GPA for work attempted during a given semester will be placed on Academic Probation at the end of that semester. The student will be placed on Academic Suspension at the end of the next semester if he/she does not earn at least a 1.5 GPA for work attempted during that semester. A student placed on Academic Suspension will not be eligible to attend the following semester. A student who is on Academic Probation at another institution will be admitted only on a probationary status at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. A student who is on Academic Suspension at another college or university will not be eligible to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College until he/she is eligible to return to the other institution.

A student on Academic Suspension from Copiah-Lincoln Community College may be considered for summer term enrollment, at the discretion of the Executive Vice President and the Dean of the Natchez Campus as appropriate.

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Changes of Schedule

1. Changes in schedule may be made only with special permission from the counselor and advisor. This includes adding or dropping courses.

2. Any subject(s) OFFICIALLY dropped up until the Friday before exam week will constitute a "W" (official withdrawal), provided no excessive absences have been obtained. The grade "W" is not used in computing grade point average.

Developmental Studies

Adequate skills in the areas of English, reading, and mathematics are vital for successful achievement in college-level courses. To assure that students are able to achieve to the greatest extent possible in their selected curricula, Copiah-Lincoln Community College offers programs in developmental studies to help elevate student skills according to individual needs. Institutional credit is awarded for developmental courses and these credits may be counted as electives in the total number of credit hours required for graduation from Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Developmental courses are not designed to take the place of regular college-level courses, but to prepare students to enroll in the regular courses.

Criteria for the Placement of Students
in Developmental Courses

Reading

Students will be tested the first day of class. The above placements could change, depending on the results of these tests.

Mathematics

*Students who have an ACT mathematics score of 26 or above may register for College Algebra, Trigonometry, or Calculus I.

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Withdrawal From College

For an official withdrawal during a semester, the student must obtain a formal WITHDRAWAL PERMIT from a counselor and have it signed. It is the STUDENT'S responsibility to complete the withdrawal process in the admissions office.  Students failing to complete the withdrawal process as stated above will forfeit their right to any refund from the business office and a grade of "F" will be recorded for all subjects for which the student was registered during that term.

All dormitory students must properly withdraw at the end of the session. Dormitory withdrawal must be completed no later than the official closing date of the college.

Requirements for Graduation

Candidates for graduation may pursue either of three courses: first, toward a community college diploma and the title "Associate In Arts Degree"; second, toward a community college diploma and the title "Associate in Applied Science Degree"; and third, "Certificate Graduation."

Candidates for the Associate in Arts Degree must complete a minimum of 64 academic semester hours. These students must complete: English composition, six hours; college algebra (or a higher math in complexity), three hours; laboratory science, six hours; humanities and fine arts, nine hours (includes literature, history, philosophy, music/art appreciation); social/behavioral science, three hours; computer science, three hours; speech; three hours; physical education, two hours; and elective subjects to complete the total 64 hours requirement. Exception (1): An exception may be made by the Executive Vice President upon recommendation from the Dean of Academic Instruction or Dean of Vocational/Technical Instruction at the Wesson Campus or the Dean of the Natchez Campus for students who need all their hours to meet the course requirements in their major field, as set up by the senior college for the first two years. Such exception would allow them to meet the senior college requirements in lieu of those stated above. Exception: (2) An exception to Computer Science requirement may be made by the Executive Vice President upon approval from the Dean of Academic Instruction or the Dean of the Natchez Campus if competency is shown. NOTE: A student can count only four (4) semester hours of HPR activity courses (varsity sports/general activities) toward graduation. However, the GPA average will include the six (6) semester hours allowed.

Candidates for the Associate in Applied Science Degree must complete a minimum of 64 semester hours. This degree is for those students in curricula which do not allow them to meet the course requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree. To be eligible to receive this degree a student must pass all courses in his/her curriculum.

Candidates for Certificate Graduation must complete all courses in the vocational curriculum in which they are enrolled.

Students completing the requirements for an Associate in Arts, or an Associate in Applied Science degree, or a certificate from the vocational department must have a 2.0 grade point average in all hours attempted.

A student must complete at least 25% of semester hours credit and the last regular semester at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in order to graduate.

Not more than one-fourth of the work required for graduation may be done by correspondence and/or extension. All correspondence courses used for graduation purposes must be from a regionally accredited institution and must have the written approval of the Executive Vice President or the Dean of the Natchez Campus.

Each student is responsible for checking on his/her credits, scheduling of subjects, and otherwise meeting requirements for graduation. The counselors, Director of Admissions and Records, and other faculty advisors will assist in planning a schedule and program, but the final responsibility rests with the student.

Candidates for graduation should file their applications with the Director of Admissions and Records for diploma, or departmental certificate not later than the end of the first three weeks of the semester in which they plan to graduate, or if a summer graduate, not later than the beginning of the summer term in which they expect to graduate.

Students who wish to participate in graduation exercises but who lack hours may participate under the following stipulations:

1. have a minimum of 56 hours that will count toward graduation or be enrolled in specific vocational-technical programs designed to complete the curriculum in the summer term immediately following graduation.

2. agree to take the necessary hours at Co-Lin during the summer immediately following graduation. These hours must be taken at Co-Lin except in hardship cases which are approved by the Executive Vice President.

3. have a 2.0 cumulative GPA on all work at Co-Lin and any other hours used for graduation purposes.

4. must meet all other graduation requirements, including the payment of the graduation fee. NOTE: Failure of the student to complete the necessary hours during the summer immediately following the graduation exercise in which he/she participates will result in cancellation of the diploma order and forfeiture of the graduation fee.

All graduates are expected to participate in the practice for graduation and the graduation exercises.

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Academic Records

Student record management is under the supervision of the Director of Admissions and Records at the Wesson Campus and includes a consistent retention and disposal policy. The records are the property of the college; however, the Director of Admissions and Records will honor a student's written request that his/her official academic record not be released or information contained in his/her record not be disclosed. Unless there is a written request to the contrary, the following directory information will be made available to parents, spouses, prospective employers, government security agencies, previous schools attended, campus organizations which require minimum scholastic averages for membership and organizations awarding financial assistance (grants, scholarships and loans): name, date and place of birth, address, dates of attendance, major field of study, class rank, and grade point average. Transcripts are released only at the request of the student, and in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, or in compliance with Court order.

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Transcripts

One official transcript will be furnished each student free of charge. A fee of $2 will be assessed for each additional transcript. Student copies are $.50.

A faxed transcript will be sent for an additional fee of $10 if requested by the student either by faxed or written signature and social security number. NOTE: Faxed copies of transcripts are "working copies" only.

Honors

Students who attain an average of 3.2 quality points for each semester hour are graduated with HONORS; those who have an average of 3.6 quality points for each semester hour are graduated with HIGH HONORS; and those who make 4 quality points with every semester hour are graduated with HIGHEST HONORS. A student graduating with honors will have the proper designation inscribed on his/her diploma and entered on his/her record.

 Class Audits

Students are allowed to audit lecture classes by paying one half the normal tuition rate. Students will be permitted to participate in class discussions; however, no tests/exams will be required and no grade will be assigned for an audited course. Courses that require laboratory hours, i.e. science, computer science, etc., or courses for which there is limited seating are not available for audit without permission of the Executive Vice President.

Course Offerings for Terminal
or Degree Programs

The curricula for the various programs in each division include courses generally required for students planning to major in the programs indicated. A major is defined as a series of courses which provide a concentration of study in a selected discipline and which also offers a balanced curriculum in other areas of study to provide the student with a well-rounded education. There may be variations in the exact subjects needed depending upon the requirements of the senior college or university from which the student may expect to receive a degree.

Substitutions may be made by faculty advisors in any of the programs listed to meet the curricula requirements of the senior college or university of the student's choice. NOTE: Graduation requirements listed on page 86 of the college catalog must be met for the associate degree.

Courses of study are approved for veteran training.

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