Academic Policies and Procedures

Three categories of academic status exist: academic good standing, academic probation, and academic suspension. Although students will usually receive notification of academic status, such notice is not a prerequisite to students being placed in one of the above categories. Students have the responsibility to ascertain their academic status prior to the beginning of the next enrollment period.

There are three categories of academic status: academic good standing, academic probation and academic suspension. Students will receive official notification of academic status. Such notice is not a prerequisite to students being placed in one of the above categories. Students have the responsibility to ascertain their academic status prior to the beginning of the next enrollment period. Specific BPCC programs may have higher academic status rules.

Academic Probation: Students who have attempted a minimum of 15 semester hours will be placed on academic probation whenever their adjusted cumulative grade point averages fall below 2.000. Once on academic probation, a student will remain on probation (as long as each semester average is at least a 2.000) until the adjusted cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or higher is achieved.

Once an adjusted cumulative GPA of 2.000 or higher is achieved, a student will be removed from probation.

Definitions:
Quality Hours: Quality hours are those credit hours for which a student registers and receives a grade of A-F. Credit courses for which a student receives a grade of “P,” “CR,” and “S” are included in earned hours. Courses for which students register, but later withdraw with a grade of “W” are included in attempted hours.

Cumulative Quality Hours: Cumulative quality hours are all hours for which a student has registered and received a final grade of A-F at the college as well as all quality hours accepted in transfer (including hours that would have been accepted had the student not earned a grade of F).

Adjusted Quality Hours: Adjusted quality hours are those credit hours for which a student registers and receives a grade of A-F at BPCC, excluding those credit hours removed from the calculation of the student’s grade point average through those credit hours removed through Academic Amnesty.

Adjusted Cumulative Grade Point Average (adj cum GPA): This GPA is adjusted to exclude those quality hours and grades which have been removed from the calculation of a student’s grade point average through BPCC’s repeat/delete policy and/or Academic Amnesty. This adjusted cumulative grade point average will include grades earned at BPCC and is used to determine a student’s academic status.

Students who are on academic probation who have attempted a minimum of 24 semester hours and who fail to achieve a semester grade point average of at least a 2.000 will be suspended for one semester. If a student is suspended at the conclusion of a spring semester, the student is suspended for the following fall semester. If a student is suspended at the conclusion of a fall semester, the student is suspended for the following spring semester.

A student who has been academically suspended from BPCC at the conclusion of the spring semester may attend BPCC summer without appeal. If the summer grades raise the student’s adjusted cumulative grade point average to a 2.000 or higher, the suspension for the fall is rescinded. If the student’s adjusted cumulative grade point average is not at or above 2.000 at the conclusion of the summer session(s), the academic suspension remains in effect for the fall semester.

A student who transfers to BPCC with an adjusted cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or higher as defined by the last institution attended will be admitted in good standing. A transfer student with less than a 2.000 adjusted cumulative grade point average will be admitted on probation. If the student earns a semester grade point average of 2.000 or higher during the first semester of BPCC enrollment, the student’s academic status will be based on the adjusted cumulative grade point average. If the student fails to achieve a semester grade point average of 2.000 or higher, the student will be suspended for one semester.

If a student wishes to appeal an academic suspension from another college or university, the student must confer with the institution from which he/she has been suspended.

Students expelled from another college or university for disciplinary reasons are not considered to be in good standing; therefore, these students will not be allowed to enroll in Bossier Parish Community College.

A student who is under academic, attendance, or disciplinary suspension/expulsion from another college or university will not be admitted to BPCC until the interval of suspension/expulsion has elapsed.

A student who has been suspended from BPCC may be considered for readmission in accordance with the following policies:

1. A student who is suspended for the first time for academic reasons must remain out of the College for one semester before being considered for readmission. After the lapse of one regular semester on suspension, the student will be readmitted to BPCC on probation.
2. A student who has been suspended twice for academic reasons must remain out of BPCC for two regular semesters, before applying for readmission. After the lapse of two semesters, the student will be re-admitted to BPCC on probation.
3. A student who has been suspended more than twice must remain out of BPCC for two regular semesters before applying for readmission. After the lapse of two semesters the student will be re-admitted to BPCC on probation. The student cannot appeal the suspension of two or more suspensions.
4. A student who has been dropped for academic reasons may not obtain credit towards a BPCC degree with credits earned at another institution during the period of ineligibility to enroll at BPCC. A student who has been suspended from another institution for academic reasons may be admitted on probation to BPCC at the end of that institution's period of suspension, provided all other admissions criteria are met.

All academic appeals must be lodged with the proper appellate authority within 45 calendar days from the date the semester ends. Failure to appeal within the 45 day period will result in the waiver of the student's rights to appeal the decision. A student who has been suspended more than twice for academic reasons must remain out of BPCC for two regular semesters, before applying for readmission.

A student who believes that his/her academic standing (probation or suspension) does not reflect the quality or quantity of effort put forth, or which is the result of extenuating circumstances, may appeal his/her standing to the Academic Admissions and Appeals Committee. The student must write a letter to this committee giving the reasons why the academic standing should be re-evaluated. The committee will hold a meeting at which the student's written appeal will be presented. The student will be notified of the committee's decision. (NOTE: 45 day limit) A student who has been suspended two or more suspensions must remain out of BPCC for two semesters before applying for readmission..

Students may access this policy at Appeal of a Final Course Grade.

BPCC reserves the right to rescind the awarding of associate degrees and certificates if the College discovers that the degrees and certificates were awarded in error.

A student enrolled in BPCC's academic programs who has not enrolled in a college, including BPCC or a university, for three consecutive years may elect to deny once and only once all academic course work attempted at BPCC prior to the three-year period. This work will appear on the student's official academic transcript but will not be used in computation of the student’s grade point average. Students should be aware that other colleges and universities may not recognize academic amnesty declared at BPCC.

The student must apply for and declare academic amnesty of credit courses in the Office of Admissions and Registrar at the time of application for admission to BPCC or within sixty days of the first date of enrollment at BPCC. A decision to declare academic amnesty is final and irreversible.

BPCC does not recognize academic amnesty declared by students at other colleges and universities. Academic amnesty is granted to students enrolled in BPCC's academic programs. Students who have declared academic amnesty are not eligible for naming to the College’s Chancellor's or Dean's Lists.

Students assume full responsibility for awareness of all graduation criteria and for the appropriateness of their credentials applicable toward satisfaction of all requirements. No associate degree, academic certificate, or technical competency area shall be conferred by BPCC until the procedural and academic requirements listed below are met. The following are the criteria for, and conditions of, graduation from BPCC:

1. Graduating students must be currently enrolled at BPCC. Each student must complete the Application for Graduation with an academic advisor during the last semester enrolled. Any student who submits the Application for Graduation to the dean of the appropriate division is automatically enrolled in GRAD9999, the graduation fee. Students who previously applied for graduation but who did not graduate must file another application the semester they plan to complete requirements.
2. Pay the non-refundable graduation fee, which covers items related to graduation.
3. Take a survey during the last semester enrolled.
4. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the associate degree must be earned at BPCC.
5. In order to graduate, students may not be on academic probation or suspension.
6. In order to obtain an associate degree, academic certificate, or technical competency area, students must make a “C” or higher in all courses which satisfy graduation requirements.
7. Developmental courses are not acceptable as electives toward an associate degree or certificate program at BPCC. These include, but are not limited to, ALHT 101, CIS 099, ENGL 098, ENGL 099, MATH 097, MATH 098, MATH 099, READ 099, EDUC 099. The final determination of the applicability of courses toward completion of academic certification and associate degrees will be made by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or his designee.
8. BPCC reserves the right to determine appropriate academic competencies in the General Education core in all curricula.
9. Community education, adult education, and correspondence courses are not applicable toward an associate degree or academic certificate.
10. All graduating students must file the Application for Graduation by the date listed in the official College calendar. Students may pursue only one associate degree at a time while enrolled at BPCC.
11. During the semester in which students complete all requirements for graduation, candidates’ academic records must be evaluated for compliance with College procedural and academic requirements by the appropriate College personnel, and candidates’ final approvals must be made by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or his designee.
12. In order to participate in commencement ceremonies, students must meet all academic and procedural graduation requirements including the payment of all money owed to the College. If students who are candidates for graduation do not meet all the requirements for graduation by the day of commencement ceremonies, the candidates MUST reapply for graduation the following semester.

Students may access this policy by clicking on Prior Learning Assessment.

Cisco, CompTIA, EC-Council, Microsoft and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) national certifications are offered through the Testing Center located in D-203. As part of the Education to Career (E2C) Jobs+ program, BPCC students qualify for substantial discounts in the cost of testing. Call the Testing Center at 318-678-6002 for more information and to schedule an appointment or visit the webpage at www.bpcc.edu/testingcenter.

See also: Portfolio Assessment of College-Level Learning and BPCC Testing Center-Credit by Examination

Credit for military educational experiences is given to honorably discharged veterans. BPCC may allow credit for courses based on documented military experiences. BPCC does not give credit for First Aid (HLPE 221) based on military service. A copy of the veteran's DD214 and other military records should be taken to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation to determine the credit allowed. The maximum number of hours that may be granted from the military as college equivalent course work is 21. Students must be pursuing a BPCC associate degree or academic certificate. The student receives a grade of "S," which goes towards earned hours on the official BPCC transcript.

Up to 18 hours may be awarded to a student who successfully passes the Certified Professional Secretary examination, which is administered by the Institute for Certifying Secretaries. For information, students may contact the Division of Business at 318-678-6011.

See also: Division of Business

Bossier Parish Community College maintains articulation agreements with Northwest & North Central Tech Prep Consortia, which allows high school students to get advanced credit for courses by taking proficiency examinations. As many as 21 semester hours may be earned toward an associate degree. These hours include 9 semester hours in general education and as many as 14 semester hours in technical courses. Students must earn 12 hours in residence at BPCC prior to having credit earned through proficiency examinations placed on the BPCC transcript.

Students who attain satisfactory scores on the Advanced Placement Examinations administered by the College Board are eligible to receive credit on the basis of such tests. The student who submits a score of four or five to the Admissions/Registrar’s Office is given credit for the appropriate course(s). A score of three is referred to the appropriate academic department of the College for a decision regarding credit. Bossier Parish Community College students must complete one regular semester of enrollment in residence prior to being awarded AP credit. Students may earn up to a maximum of 30 semester hours in this manner and attain sophomore standing. These examinations are given at high schools which participate in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students must be pursuing an academic certificate or associate degree to receive Advanced Placement credit.

This policy provides for Paramedics who received their training prior to January, 2001 through an institution other than a college or vocational school an opportunity to earn an associate degree in EMT Paramedic by successfully completing a “challenge exam.”

To be eligible to take the exam:

1. The paramedic must have worked in the field of emergency medicine at the level of paramedic for at least 2 years.
2. The paramedic must have successfully completed 18 semester hours of academic college credit in the paramedic curriculum at Bossier Parish Community College.

Prior to taking the exam:

1. The paramedic must provide the following documentation to the Dean of Science, Nursing, and Allied Health:
   1. Current copy of Emergency Medical Technician National Registry card
   2. Current copy of the State of Louisiana Paramedic card
2. Completion of the BPCC Challenge Exam Registration Form and payment of a testing fee.

Successful completion of the examination, minimum score 70%, will be recorded on a BPCC academic transcript as "credit by examination." Credits will not be transcribed until the student has completed all other course work in the Paramedic curriculum at Bossier Parish Community College. Students will receive 36 semester hours of credit. Students who are not successful may attempt the exam on one additional occasion.

Paramedics wishing to pursue the associate degree in EMT: Paramedic must complete at least 18 semester hours in residence at Bossier Parish Community College. Students cannot use remedial level classes to meet residency requirements. Students receiving “credit by examination” for paramedic classes may not use additional challenge exam credits to earn the required residence hours.

Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) is among more than 500 colleges and universities that are involved in assessing students' prior learning for academic credit. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), an educational association founded in 1974 to promote the acceptance of the awarding of college credit for experiential learning, has led the way in developing and implementing assessment techniques. BPCC uses the academic guidelines developed by CAEL and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in awarding credit.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the process of earning credit for college-level learning acquired through work, training, volunteering, or personal experiences. The process discussed here is portfolio assessment of college-level learning acquired through work, training, volunteering, or personal experiences. Students should consult the appropriate academic dean for additional information.