Taft College Maps| 1 Table of Contents Taft College Maps .......................................................................................................... 5 Superintendent/President's Welcome ......................................................................... 6 College Calendar ........................................................................................................... 7 College Terms ................................................................................................................ 8 General Information..................................................................................................... 11 Admissions and Registration ..................................................................................... 16 Academic Policies and Procedures ........................................................................... 31 Student Services ......................................................................................................... 54 Requirements for Associate Degrees and Certificates ............................................ 72 Transfer Planning Guide ............................................................................................. 87 Degrees and Certificates ........................................................................................... 108 Course Descriptions.................................................................................................. 217 College Personnel ..................................................................................................... 301 Printable Catalog ....................................................................................................... 323 2| Taft College 2018-2019 Catalog Taft College Maps| 3 2018-2019 Catalog Cover: Design Credits: Jason Zsiba Our Vision Taft College instills a passion for learning, leading to success for all. Our Mission Taft College is committed to creating a community of learners by enriching the lives of all students we serve through career technical education, transfer programs, foundational programs, and student support services. Taft College provides an equitable learning environment defined by applied knowledge leading to students’ achievement of their educational goals. Our Values • Students and their success • A learning community with teaching excellence • An environment conducive to learning, fairness, dialogue, and continuous improvement • A communicative, collaborative, collegial, and respectful culture • A partnership of students, faculty, support services, and community • Innovation, diversity, creativity, and critical thinking • Academic, financial, personal and professional integrity • Employees and their professional development • A transparent, accessible, participative governance structure Accreditation Taft College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and by the U.S. Department of Education. Students and members of the public who wish to file a formal complaint to the Commission about one of its member institutions can contact the Commission in writing (10 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 204, Novato, CA, 94949), by calling (415) 506-0234, or visiting their website at http://www.accjc.org. Accuracy Statement The West Kern Community College District has made every reasonable effort to insure that information in this catalog is accurate and is available in an alternate format. Courses and programs that are offered, along with other matter contained herein, are subject to change without notice for reasons related to student enrollment, level of financial support, or for any other reason at the discretion of the district and the college. The district and the college further reserve the right to add to, amend, or repeal any rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, consistent with application laws. TAFT COLLEGE A public community college Founded in 1922 29 Cougar Court 4| Taft College 2018-2019 Catalog Taft, California 93268 Phone: (661) 763-7700 Fax: (661) 763-7705 Internet address: http://www.taftcollege.edu Taft College Maps| 5 Taft College Maps 6| Taft College 2018-2019 Catalog Superintendent/President's Welcome Welcome to Taft College! Through a dedicated faculty and staff, we are committed to providing quality programs and services to meet your individual needs. Your success is our number one priority! I invite you to explore our catalog and learn about the many opportunities available to you at Taft College. With a variety of degree and certificate options, Taft offers the courses and programs you require, whether you are preparing to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree, or mastering the skills for immediate employment in one of many high-demand careers. We also offer college preparatory courses and comprehensive academic support services and resources to ensure your success. While you are exploring the pages, be sure to check out the many student activities including clubs and intercollegiate athletics. Moreover, we offer excellent cultural events and activities throughout the year. In addition to reviewing the Taft College catalog, I encourage you to visit our campus to talk to our talented and dedicated faculty and staff about how Taft College can change your life. We are your community college and we are here to serve you! Warm regards, Dr. Debra S. Daniels Superintendent/President College Calendar| 7 College Calendar Summer Semester, 2018 May 21 - June 3 Summer Recess I June 4 Instruction Begins July 4 Independence Day Holiday July 12 6-week Classes End August 9 Instruction Ends August 10-19 Summer Recess II Fall Semester, 2018 August 20 Instruction Begins September 3 Labor Day November 12 Veterans Day Holiday November 22-23 Thanksgiving Holidays December 7 Dead Day December 10-14 Final Examinations December 14 Fall Semester Ends December 17, 2018 through January 20, 2019 Winter Recess Spring Semester, 2019 January 21 Martin Luther King Holiday January 22 Instruction Begins February 15 Lincoln’s Birthday Holiday February 18 Washington’s Birthday Holiday April 15 - April 19 Spring Break May 16 Dead Day May 17 - 23 Final Examinations May 23 Spring Semester Ends May 24 Commencement 8| Taft College 2018-2019 Catalog College Terms College Terms| 9 The following terms or phrases are ones with which you may not be familiar, but are peculiar to the academic world. Students may encounter them in conversations with faculty and staff, in this catalog, or in other publications. Academic Probation: A state-mandated process to identify a student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00 (or credit hours, or, simply, unit). Academic unit: Credit for courses offered by Taft College is awarded in terms of semester units. The value of a course is computed on the basis of one unit of credit for each hour of lecture or discussion, two-to-three hours of laboratory, or two hours of activity per week, for a 16-week semester. Courses meeting for fewer than 16 weeks will require an equivalent number of hours prorated on a per-week basis. Academic year: Two semesters (fall to spring), starting in fall plus summer semester and examination periods. Accredited: Quality of academic programs is approved by an outside rating agency. Admission: Your acceptance for enrollment. Advisor: Academic advisor who offers class selection and academic advice. Advisory: A condition of enrollment suggested a student meet before or in conjunction with enrolling in a course. Associate Degree: Awarded for completing an area of study. The typical amount of coursework to complete an Associate Degree in two years is 14-16 units per semester, for a total of 60 semester units, if a student begins coursework at the degree applicable level of English and math. Bachelor’s Degree: (baccalaureate degree): Awarded for a four-year degree. Calendar: See “Academic Calendar” (p. 7) in this catalog. It includes important dates of the academic year. Catalog: The catalog is your comprehensive guide and contract with Taft College. Certificate: A document that verifies completion of a specific area of study. Class Schedule: Published for the registration period for each semester and includes course details (when, where) and scheduling procedures. Competency Requirements: Reading, writing and mathematics competency must be demonstrated before graduation. Co-requisite: Course you must take concurrently with, or prior to, another course. Counselor: Trained professional to diagnose difficulties students may encounter when pursuing their academic goals and develops educational plan. Courses: Listed in the “Course Descriptions” (p. 217) section of this catalog, showing the course number, title, description, and units. Credit: See “Academic Unit” Curriculum (program): Courses required for a specific degree or certificate. Cut: Deliberately missing a class without prior approval. Departments: Academic areas in which courses are offered in one or more disciplines. Distance Learning: Instruction provided outside the traditional classroom also known as Distant Education (DE). Drop and add: You may change your schedule by dropping or adding classes. Check the Academic Calendar for the drop/add deadlines for each term or check with the Counseling Center secretary. Elective: Course distinguished from required course. E.O.P.S. /C.A.R.E. (Extended Opportunity Programs and