Welcome from the President on Behalf of the Staff and Faculty of Mountain Empire Community College, It Is My Pleasure to Welcome You to Our Campus
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Welcome from the President On behalf of the staff and faculty of Mountain Empire Community College, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our campus. Our goal at MECC is to prepare you for meaningful employment or for successful transfer to a four-year college or university upon graduation. We are glad you have chosen MECC to pursue your educational goals. This handbook will serve as a guide to our college’s policies and procedures. MECC staff are available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. I ask that you consider taking advantage of the many student support services offered at our college. Most importantly, get involved in a club, organization, or activity on campus. We believe your experience at MECC will be academically and personally rewarding. I wish you the very best in your future endeavors! Scott Hamilton President Mountain Empire Community College Content Disclaimer Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) provides its website, catalog, handbooks and any other printed materials or electronic media for your general guidance. MECC does not guarantee that the information contained within them, including, but not limited to, the contents of any page that resides under the Domain Naming System (DNS) registrations of www.mecc.edu are up-to-date, complete and accurate. Individuals assume any risks associated with relying upon such information without checking other credible sources, such as an academic advisor. In addition, a student’s or prospective student’s reliance upon course information contained within these sources, or individual program catalogs, handbooks, printed or digital class schedules when making academic decisions does not constitute, and should not be construed as, a contract with MECC. Further, MECC reserves the right to make changes to any provision or requirement within these sources, as well as changes to any curriculum or program, whether during a student’s enrollment or otherwise. Links or references to other materials and websites provided in the above-referenced sources are also for information purposes only and do not constitute the College’s endorsement of products or services referenced. We strongly encourage current and prospective students to confer with academic advisors for the most credible information about the College’s programs and services. 3441 Mountain Empire Road Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219 P.276.523.2400 F.276.523.8297 www.mecc.edu Table of Contents Welcome from the President. 1 Content Disclaimer ...................................................... 1 Table of Contents ....................................................... 2 Academic Calendar ...................................................... 6 MECC Bookstore Deadlines. 10 Summer 2016. 10 Fall 2016 .......................................................... 10 Spring 2017 ........................................................ 10 Who Can Answer My Question? .......................................... 11 General Information .................................................... 13 Accreditation and Program Approvals ................................... 13 Non-Discrimination Statement ......................................... 13 College Catalog and Student Handbook .................................. 13 Mission ........................................................... 14 Vision ............................................................. 14 Values ............................................................. 14 History of the College ................................................ 15 Mountain Empire Community College Foundation ......................... 15 Virginia Community College System .................................... 15 Governance ........................................................ 16 College Map ....................................................... 17 Hours of Operation .................................................. 17 Inclement Weather . 17 Schedule of Classes when operating on a Snow Schedule:. 17 Admission Requirements ................................................ 18 Admission Requirements. 18 Dual Enrollment Student Admissions .................................... 18 Admission Categories ................................................ 19 Admission to Programs/Courses . 22 Developmental Studies ............................................... 22 Residence Requirements .............................................. 23 Changing Program of Study ........................................... 23 Quarter to Semester Conversion ........................................ 23 Advanced Standing and Waiver of Course Requirements ..................... 24 Enrollment. 26 Steps to Enrollment . 26 New Student Checklist ............................................... 27 Get Help When You Need It ........................................... 28 College Success Skills and New Student Seminar .......................... 29 Academic Advising .................................................. 29 Normal Academic Load. 29 Extended Learning Institute. 29 Auditing a Course ................................................... 29 Withdrawing from Class .............................................. 30 Administrative Withdrawal ............................................ 30 Adding a Course .................................................... 30 Repeating a Course .................................................. 30 Students Transferring from Other Colleges. 31 Updating Personal Information ......................................... 31 Tuition. 31 Tuition and Fees .................................................... 31 2 Tuition Payment Plan ................................................ 32 Tuition and Fees Refunds ............................................. 33 Refunds, Credits, Reinstatement as a Result of Military Service ............... 33 Suspension of Students for Non-Payment ................................. 34 Books and Materials ................................................. 34 Financial Information ................................................... 34 Financial Aid ....................................................... 34 Eligibility Requirements for Federal, State, and VCCS Programs .............. 34 Financial Aid for Home-School Graduates . 35 Enrollment Requirements ............................................. 35 Aid Programs Available. 35 Veterans Information ................................................. 36 Virginia Orphans of Emergency Personnel . 37 Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974 ............................. 37 Fees & Fines ....................................................... 38 Grading . 39 Developmental Studies ............................................... 40 Grade Report ....................................................... 40 Transcripts ......................................................... 40 Grade Changes. 40 Grade Appeals ...................................................... 40 Academic Standing .................................................. 41 Grade Point Average ................................................. 42 Academic Renewal Policy ............................................. 42 Graduation. 43 Assessment of Student Achievement ..................................... 43 Second Degree or Certificate. 43 Graduation with Honors .............................................. 43 Commencement ..................................................... 43 Academic Programs and Requirements ..................................... 45 Programs of Study . 45 Understanding Program Options & Curriculum Requirements ................... 46 Degrees & Certificates. 46 General Education Core Competencies. 48 College Transfer Electives ............................................. 51 Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree . 53 Associate of Applied Science Degree. 60 Certificates .......................................................... 106 Career Studies Certificates .............................................. 121 Center for Workforce Development ....................................... 140 Customized Training ................................................ 140 Job Skills Assessment Tools .......................................... 141 Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning ................................ 141 On-going Training and Institutes. 141 State and Regional Cooperative Programs . 143 Course Descriptions ................................................... 153 General Usage Courses .............................................. 154 Accounting (ACC). 154 Administration of Justice (ADJ) ....................................... 155 Administrative Support Technology (AST). 158 Agriculture (AGR). 160 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (AIR) ............................... 160 Architecture (ARC) . 161 Arts (ART). 161 3 American Sign Language (ASL) . 162 Aviation (ARO) .................................................... 163 Avionic & Aviation Mechanics (AVI) . 163 Biology (BIO) ..................................................... 163 Building (BLD) .................................................... 163 Business Administration and Management (BUS) ......................... 164 Chemistry (CHM) .................................................. 165 Child Development (CHD) ........................................... 165 Chinese (CHI) ..................................................... 166 Civil Engineering Technology (CIV) ................................... 166 Communication Studies and Theater (CST) .............................. 167 Drafting (DRF) ...................................................