2017-2018 COLLEGE CATALOG GEORGIA PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE 2017 - 2018 COLLEGE CATALOG A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia Equal Opportunity Institution Jabari Simama, Ph.D. President www.gptc.edu TDD: (404) 297-7769 Georgia Piedmont Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges to award Associate of Applied Science degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Georgia Piedmont Technical College. (www.sacscoc.org) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges should be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s significant non-compliance with Commission requirements or standards. Inquiries related to normal and ongoing College operations such as admission requirements, financial aid, programs, etc., should be addressed directly to Georgia Piedmont Technical College and not to the Commission on Colleges. All information in this document is subject to change. Table of Contents ACADEMIC CALENDAR ................................................................................................................................... ix GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................. 1 PHILOSOPHY .................................................................................................................................................... 1 VISION ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 MISSION STATEMENT ................................................................................................................................... 1 GOALS OF GEORGIA PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE ...................................................................... 1 CORE COMPETENCIES ................................................................................................................................... 2 TECHNICAL EDUCATION GUARANTEE .................................................................................................... 3 HISTORY OF GEORGIA PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE ................................................................. 3 CAREER PLANNING ....................................................................................................................................... 4 LEARNING SUPPORT...................................................................................................................................... 4 STUDENT SUCCESS & LEARNING SUPPORT CENTER ........................................................................... 4 STEM INITIATIVES ......................................................................................................................................... 5 ACCREDITATION ............................................................................................................................................ 5 PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS / MEMBERSHIPS .................................................................................... 6 ADVISORY COMMITTEES ................................................................................................................................. 7 STATEMENT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ................................................................................................... 7 GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURE..................................................................................................... 8 STUDENT COMPLIANCE WITH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ............................................................. 8 ADMISSION AND GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................ 9 ADMISSION PROCEDURE............................................................................................................................ 12 ADMISSION DATES ...................................................................................................................................... 14 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL F-1/ M-1 STUDENTS ..................................... 15 REQUIRED ACADEMIC CRITERIA............................................................................................................. 17 RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................................... 21 STUDENT FEES AND COSTS ....................................................................................................................... 22 WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND OF STUDENT FEES ................................................................................ 25 GENERAL AND ACADEMIC POLICIES ......................................................................................................... 26 STATEMENT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ................................................................................................. 26 GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURE................................................................................................... 26 ILLEGAL DRUGS STATEMENT .................................................................................................................. 26 TOBACCO-FREE COLLEGE ......................................................................................................................... 26 WEAPON RESTRICTED CAMPUS & CAMPUS CARRY .......................................................................... 27 Georgia Piedmont Technical College 2017-2018 General Catalog Page ii IMMUNIZATION PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................... 27 GENERAL REGULATIONS ........................................................................................................................... 27 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................................................... 27 STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES ..................................................................................................... 27 UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT, SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND DISCRIMINATION PROCEDURES .... 27 CHANGES / ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS ........................................................................................ 28 ATTENDANCE AND COURSE WITHDRAWALS ...................................................................................... 29 COLLEGE WITHDRAWAL ........................................................................................................................... 31 FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS for WITHDRAWAL ...................................................................................... 31 STUDENT PICTURE I.D. ............................................................................................................................... 31 STUDENT EMAIL ACCOUNT / ADDRESS ................................................................................................. 31 ACADEMIC POLICIES ....................................................................................................................................... 32 GRADING SYSTEM / GRADE SYMBOLS................................................................................................... 33 ACADEMIC STATUS ..................................................................................................................................... 35 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................ 38 GRADUATION HONORS .............................................................................................................................. 39 STUDENT AFFAIRS MISSION ......................................................................................................................... 40 STUDENT AFFAIRS ........................................................................................................................................... 41 STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES .................................................................................................................. 43 CAMPUS LIFE ..................................................................................................................................................... 48 CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS .................................................................................................................. 48 HONOR SOCIETIES / AWARD PROGRAMS .............................................................................................. 50 SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES .......................................................................................................... 51 SPECIAL SERVICES ...................................................................................................................................... 52 ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................. 54 STUDENT RIGHT TO KNOW DISCLOSURE .................................................................................................. 55 PROGRAMS OF STUDY ...................................................................................................................................