Academic Calendar and Course Load

Semesters and Summer Terms

The fall and spring semesters are 14 -16 weeks long. The two summer terms are seven and six weeks long, respectively. Students must enroll in at least one academic semester or term within a three-year period to maintain active enrollment.

Academic Program Course Load

A normal course load for full-time students is 12 to 16 credits during a semester and six to nine credits during a summer term. Foreign students and students receiving state financial aid must be enrolled full-time, i.e., 12 or more credits per semester. A student who wishes to take 16.5-18 credits in a given semester must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. A student

who wishes to take 19-21 credits in a given semester must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher; any such course load must be approved by a divisional chairperson. An academic dean must approve requests in excess of 21 credits.

Academic Standing

Transfer Credit

Credits transferred from other regionally accredited colleges and universities will be included in the total number of credits earned at ECC. In order to transfer, such credits must relate to courses and programs offered by ECC. Courses transferred from other institutions of higher learning must carry grades of “C” or higher. Transfer students must complete at least half their major course requirements and half their total credits at ECC. Credits from institutions not accredited by regionally accredited agencies (e.g., Middle States) will not be accepted; however, credit may be granted to students who “test out” (i.e., demonstrate mastery of subject content via examination), when such tests are available. The same guidelines pertain to students who wish to transfer courses into the College’s certificate programs; half of the credits for such programs must be completed at ECC.

Testing Out - Letter Grade

The College has initiated a “testing out” procedure in some courses to allow students to receive credit for a course when they can demonstrate the level of proficiency necessary to satisfy the requirements for the course. Students must register and pay for the course. Students must consult with the academic division where the course is offered.

Credit by Examination

ECC’s Credit by Examination Program enables students with appropriate knowledge and experience to secure college credit. Credit will be granted to students admitted to ECC who pass examinations approved by Enrollment Services and appropriate academic

departments. In some instances it may not be possible to offer credit by examination because no relevant test exists in certain disciplines. When granted, a grade of “CR” will be entered as transfer credit on each student’s transcript. Credit by examination may be granted for the Defense Activity for Non-traditional Educational Support (DANTES) and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students interested in applying for credit by examination should contact either the Enrollment Services Express Center or the appropriate academic division.

Change of Major

To change a major or to add a second major, a student should discuss the proposed change with a counselor or faculty advisor, complete a Change of Major form, and return the signed form to the Enrollment Services Express Center. Graduation requirements will be those in effect on the date the student matriculates in the new major.

Repeating a Course

When a student earns a “D” or “F,” he or she may repeat the course in an attempt to earn a higher grade. Although the “D” or “F” remains on the transcript, the higher of the two grades will be counted in the cumulative grade point average. When a student earns a “D” or “F” in a remedial/developmental course (i.e., a course below the 100-level), the student must repeat the course before enrolling in the next course in the sequence. A student may not repeat a course more than once except with the written permission of a counselor.

Academic Progress

Guidelines for academic progress and good academic standing include the following:

• Good Academic Standing is defined as a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above. Students are advised that they must attain an overall GPA of 2.0 or above to graduate from ECC’s degree or certificate programs.

• Probation is defined as a cumulative combined GPA of less than 2.0. A student whose cumulative combined GPA goes below 2.0 is placed on probation.

• Suspension (for one academic period) occurs when a student with a cumulative combined GPA of less than 2.0 earns a GPA of less than 2.0 in a successive term.

A. A student who is suspended from the College may appeal for reinstatement or may remain suspended for one semester before applying for reinstatement.

B. A student who is reinstated after suspension must complete a minimum of nine credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher to be considered as making satisfactory academic progress.

C. A previously suspended student who is readmitted and who attains a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 two terms after being readmitted will be dismissed.

• Dismissal from the College for two years occurs when a student who has been reinstated after suspension receives an academic period GPA of less than 2.0. Students returning after dismissal are not eligible for financial aid until they have successfully completed nine credits with grades of “C” or above.

• Academic probation is defined as a cumulative combined GPA of less than 2.0 followed immediately by a semester GPA of 2.0.

Students are responsible for ensuring that they complete all requirements for their degrees and certificates listed in departmental handouts and the College catalog.

Appeal Process

A student suspended or dismissed from the College may appeal for reinstatement through the Academic Review Committee (ARC) by submitting an appeal letter to the Dean of Student Affairs. The Review Committee will meet with the student and review the appeal. A reinstated student will not be eligible for financial aid until he or she has successfully completed nine credits with grades of “C” or higher.

Attendance

Regular and prompt attendance is essential for academic success. Faculty members take attendance at each scheduled class session. Students are expected to attend and be on time for all classes. Individual faculty members may establish specific attendance policies. It is the responsibility of the student to know and follow the attendance policy as required for each course. Students with excessive absences may be referred to a counselor. Insufficient attendance at regularly scheduled classes may result in failure or removal. A student who is absent from all classes during the first ten class days of the fall and spring semesters will be recorded as a “No Show.” A withdrawal will appear on the student’s record and the student will be notified of the “No Show” status by the Registrar’s Office. Students are advised that “No Show” status in one or more courses may affect their eligibility for financial aid and veterans’ benefits. Students who stop attending classes and do not formally withdraw will be recorded as “not in attendance” and will receive grades of “F.” This status may also affect their eligibility for financial aid and veterans’ benefits.

Academic Forgiveness

The College’s academic forgiveness policy provides previously enrolled students who have been away from the college for at least three years and have successfully completed a minimum of 12 college level credits with grades of “C” and above with an opportunity to pursue a single “fresh start” at ECC. Under this policy, all courses together with grades earned prior to readmission will remain on the student’s transcript but will not be used in computing the student’s overall grade point average; neither can any of the previously taken courses be used to fulfill degree or certificate requirements. Applications must be made through an academic counselor who will review and discuss it with the student before submitting it to the chairperson of the division or department in which the student intends to pursue a major. If approved by the chairperson, it is forwarded to the appropriate dean. The Financial Aid Office will in turn review the request to determine what, if any, financial aid implications exist, will apprise the student, and will forward the approval to the Registrar for implementation.

Grades

Grading System

Grade Points Per Letter Grade Description Credit Hour

• A Superior 4.0
• B+ Very Good 3.5
• B Good 3.0
• C+Above Average 2.5
• C Satisfactory 2.0
• D Passing 1.0
• F Failing 0.0
• I Incomplete 0.0

Grade denotes student has completed 75% of assigned course work with a grade of “C” or better but did not complete all course requirements. The faculty member must attach a completed Essex County College “Incomplete Grade Form” to the final grade sheet. After six months, the original “I” will be recorded as an “F” unless it is changed by the instructor.

W Withdrawal 0.0

Grade denotes official withdrawal from a course or from the college.

AU Audit 0.0

Grade denotes student was not enrolled in the course for credit.

CR Credit 0.0

Grade reserved for courses passed by examination or accepted as transfer credit and indicates satisfactory completion of a course. Grades of “D” may not fulfill certain course prerequisites and major course requirements and will not transfer to other institutions.

Grades of “W,” “AU,” “CR” and “I” are not counted in the computation of grade point averages.

Withdrawal

Students who wish to withdraw totally from the college must contact a counselor to discuss financial aid and other important implications. Failure to attend classes or merely notifying one’s faculty member(s) is not an official notice of withdrawal. In cases of emergency, written notice may be mailed to the counselor. Such written notice becomes effective one day after the letter is postmarked. Students may apply for and receive a grade of “W” up to the week following the mid-term grade reporting period. The last day for withdrawals shall be posted for each semester and term in the College calendar and schedule books.

Grade Point Average

Academic achievement during a semester or term is measured by a student’s grade point average (GPA). The measure of academic achievement for all work completed is referred to as the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

A semester GPA is determined in the following way:

1. Allowing 4 points for an “A,” 3.5 points for a “B+,” 3 points for a “B,” 2.5 points for a “C+,”2 points for a “C,” 1 point for a “D,” and 0 points for an “F,” multiply the number of points equivalent to the letter grade received in each course by the number of semester hours for the course, thus arriving at the grade points earned for each course.

2. Add the grade points in each course to obtain the sum of grade points for the semester’s work.

3. Divide the total grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The result is the grade point average.

The following example illustrates the GPA of a student with grades in five courses. Semester Point Grade Course Grade Hours Equivalents Points

Biology B 4 x 3.0 12

Math C 3 x 2.0 6

English C+ 3 x 2.5 7.5

Sociology C 3 x 2.0 6.0

Business B 3 x 3.0 9

16 40.5

40.5 (total grade points) divided by 16 (semester hours attempted) = 2.53 GPA

The CGPA is calculated in the same way as the semester GPA except that all attempted semester hours are taken into account. The student’s CGPA will include only those courses taken at Essex County College. The Degree GPA is calculated in the same way as the CGPA except only attempted college-level credits are included.

Grade Reports

Final grades are submitted to the Registrar’s Office and recorded as part of each student’s permanent record. The Registrar will mail grade reports to all students who do not have outstanding obligations to the college. Students can view grades on-line at webservices.essex.edu. Mid-term grade warnings are issued to all students whose work is unsatisfactory or failing. Mid-term grades are for advisory purposes only and are not included in students’ records.

Grade Changes - Time Limit

All approved grade changes must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Express Center (Registrar’s Office) within one year of the original grade assignment.

Class Standing

A freshman is defined as a matriculated student working toward a degree who has earned 29.5 or fewer college-level credits. A sophomore is defined as a matriculated student working toward a degree who has earned 30 or more college-level credits.

Dean’s List

A Dean’s List is published every semester. Full-time students named to this list must have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in that semester and have no “I” grades or any grade lower that “C” for the semester in which the student is named. Only college-level courses are computed. Part-time students are also eligible. To qualify, part-time students must also have earned a 3.5 or higher grade point average, no grade of “I,” no grade lower than “C,” and at least 12 college-level credits within a given academic year (e.g., 2002-03, 2003-04).

Transcripts

A student may request an official copy of his or her permanent academic record by submitting a written request for a transcript to the Registrar’s Office. The transcript becomes official when the College seal is affixed and the Registrar’s signature is appended. All requests for transcripts must be in writing. Transcripts will not be released until all outstanding obligations to the College are satisfied. A small administrative fee is charged current and former students for each transcript that is generated.

Graduation

Upon completion of 45 college-level credits, all matriculated students receive degree audits to determine their compliance with requirements in their primary majors. Students who are pursuing second majors should request such audits at the same time. The Registrar’s Office will notify each student of his or her graduation status after the degree audit is conducted. Students in certificate programs should also apply for audits to determine completion of requirements.

Graduation Requirements

Students who have successfully completed all requirements for degrees and academic certificates (30 or more credits) will be graduated from the College. Students are governed by the graduation requirements in effect at the time of their matriculation. In order to graduate, students must have cumulative GPAs of 2.0 or better. Additionally, students must earn grades of “C” or better in all major courses. Credits transferred from other regionally accredited colleges and universities or earned via examination or Advanced Placement will be included in the total number of credits earned. Credits transferred from other institutions of higher learning must be “C” or higher. Transfer students must complete at least half their major course requirements and half their total credits at ECC.

Additional Degrees and Certificates

Students may earn a second degree if certain conditions are met. Students interested in declaring an additional major should do so through their academic advisors using a college-provided form (“Application for Second Degree”), indicating which major is primary and which major is secondary. Students must submit this form before they have accumulated 45 college credits. All requirements in both majors must be met in full. Students may not earn two separate degrees in the same discipline - e.g., accounting (A.S., A.A.S.), manufacturing engineering technology/mechanical engineering technology option, computer science/applied computer science. Courses from one discipline may be used to meet the requirements of the second discipline; however, a minimum of 12 additional credits of approved major subject area credits must be earned in the second discipline at ECC that were not used to satisfy requirements for the primary discipline. The same guidelines pertain to students seeking third and other successive degrees. The “Application for Second Degree” form will be completed by the student and his or her advisor, approved by the chairperson or director, and then by an academic dean or vice president, who will forward it to the Registrar. The Registrar will notify the student of the status of the application. The most frequent application for a second degree is expected to be among students in computer science who also seek to major in mathematics; however, there are various combinations that might apply throughout the institution.

Students may also earn multiple certificates - academic certificates (30 or more credits) and/or certificates of completion (less than 30 credits). Courses used to satisfy the requirements for one certificate can be used to satisfy requirements for other certificate programs and degrees. However, it should be noted that a student who earns a degree in a given program cannot subsequently earn a certificate in that same program without taking additional course work. Only students who have completed degrees and certificates with 30 or more credits will be invited to participate in annual commencement (graduation) ceremonies.

Graduation with Honors

Students will be graduated with honors as follows:

Highest Honors CGPA 3.85 to 4.00
High Honors CGPA 3.65 to 3.84
Honors CGPA 3.50 to 3.64

These honors will be noted on students’ transcripts.

Commencement

An annual commencement (graduation) ceremony is held in June. All students certified to graduate in degree and academic certificate programs are expected to participate in the graduation exercises. Students who are completing their requirements during the first summer term will be permitted to participate in graduation exercises.

Academic Integrity

Essex County College’s trustees, faculty, and administrators are dedicated to mutual respect and the free exchange of ideas in classroom, laboratory, and other academic settings. Students who enroll at ECC join with these other individuals to observe guidelines regarding free inquiry, academic honesty, and civility in the classroom and related forums. The College’s administration recognizes the common interest of faculty and students in the pursuit of truth and understanding. This includes the right to present and the obligation to receive divergent views when legitimate intellectual differences exist. Students are advised that their obligations in this respect include but are not limited to the following:

• To present only such homework assignments, term papers, examination papers, etc. that are the results of their own work;

• To honestly pursue research and scholarship by acknowledging sources used in term papers and other assignments;

• To refrain from fabricating sources and data;

• To practice fairness in competing with peers through recognition of others’ rights to gain access to information and materials, respect for others’ right of access to facilities and equipment, and adherence to rules governing their use;

• To accurately represent the results of experiments, surveys, and other findings; and

• To respect the rights of others to hold differing views based on reason, research, and recognized standards of evidence. Moreover, any theft or alteration of academic materials, or the destruction of the academic work of others, constitutes a serious breach of academic integrity. In the case of an alleged infraction, the appropriate divisional or departmental chairperson will handle the matter and if necessary initiate formal charges with an academic dean.

Student Right-to-Know

Students are advised that graduation rates and time to graduation by program are available from the Office of Institutional Research. Graduation rates for student athletes on scholarships are available from the Dean of Student Affairs’ Office.

Essex County College has qualified faculty and staff to help both day and evening students. We invite you to tour our megastructure or West Essex Campus, visit with faculty, and speak with an admissions officer. To schedule a tour or receive an application form from the main campus, write or call:

Essex County College
Enrollment Services Express Center
303 University Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102

(973) 877-3100 or

Essex County College
Office of Recruitment and Marketing
303 University Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 877-1941