Athens Technical College

Grading System

Athens Technical College uses the following grading system to specify levels of performance in coursework.

Learning support course grades are designated with an asterisk and are not included in the calculation of cumulative, graduate, and semester grade point averages. The college also uses the following symbols:

• AC-Articulated Credit
  

  This symbol indicates that students passed exemption examinations while enrolled in high school.

• AU-Audit
  

  This symbol indicates that students enrolled in courses but chose not to seek credit for the courses, see Auditing Classes.

• EX-Credit by Examination
  

  This symbol indicates that students received credit based on their successful performance on examinations to demonstrate prior achievement of course competencies (see Credit by Examination).

• I-Incomplete
  

  This symbol indicates that students could not complete the coursework by the end of the academic term due to extenuating circumstances, and they were approved to delay the completion of coursework to next academic term per a signed agreement. Instructors must file change of grade forms with the executive director of registration and records as soon as course requirements are completed. It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor and complete all course requirements per their agreement. Only in extreme circumstances will the vice president for academic affairs extend an incomplete grade beyond the limit of one semester. The executive director of registration and records does not calculate incomplete grades in grade point averages.

• IP-In Progress
  

  Instructors will assign grades of IP when courses extend beyond the official term ending date as indicated in the Academic Calendar (see Academic Calendar). Grades of IP are typically reserved for individualized courses or for courses such as internships and practicums. These grades are also used when courses begin in one academic term and continue into another academic term. This grade cannot be used to defer grade reporting for more than one term. Students must complete the work during the following term and instructors must file change of grade forms with the executive director of registration and records.

• TR, TRA, TRB, TRC-Transfer
  

  These symbols indicate transfer credit awarded for courses taken at other colleges. TR was used to indicate transfer credit until August 2011. Beginning August 2011, TRA, TRB, and TRC codes were implemented to indicate the grade earned at the transferring institution. Transfer grades are not included when calculating semester, cumulative, or graduation grade point averages.

• W-Withdrawal
  

  This symbol indicates that students officially withdrew from classes by the midpoint of the semester as noted in the Academic Calendar (see Academic Calendar). These grades are not included in the calculation of grade point averages.

• WF/WF*-Withdrawal Failing
  

  This symbol indicates that students were failing when they officially withdrew from classes after the midpoint of the semester as noted in the Academic Calendar (see Academic Calendar). Grades of WF are calculated as grades of F in grade point averages.

• WP-Withdrawal Passing
  

  This symbol indicates that students were passing when they officially withdrew from classes after the midpoint of the semester as noted in the Academic Calendar (see Academic Calendar). These grades are not included in the calculation of grade point averages.

Grades of F, F*, I, IP, W, WF, WF*, and WP may affect financial aid (see Satisfactory Academic Progress in the Financial Aid section). Learning support hours count toward attempted hours. Grades earned for learning support courses do not affect the final grade point average; however, those grades do affect satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes (see Satisfactory Academic Progress in the Financial Aid section).

Cumulative Grade Point Average

The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) reflects the total credit hours earned and determines scholastic standing of students. Programs of study, changes in programs of study, or student classification do not affect the CGPA. The CGPA is the grade point average calculated on all attempts of all credit courses taken at Athens Technical College. The cumulative grade point average does not include credits earned at other colleges, credits associated with learning support classes, credits earned through the credit-by-examination process, credits for which the college does not assign quality points, and courses otherwise excluded by college policy. Grades earned for learning support classes affect satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes (see Satisfactory Academic Progress in the Financial Aid section). The executive director of registration and records recalculates the CGPA at the end of each semester.

Graduation Grade Point Average

Graduation grade point averages include only those courses required for graduation. When students take courses more than once, the last grade earned is used in the graduation grade point average. The graduation grade point average, does not include credits earned at other colleges, credits associated with learning support classes, credits earned through the credit-by-examination process, credits for which the college does not assign quality points, and courses otherwise excluded by college policy. Students must earn a minimum 2.0 graduation grade point average in order to graduate from the college.

The college recognizes students as honor graduates if they earn a graduation grade point average of 4.0. The college recognizes students as presidential scholars if they earn a graduation grade point average of between 3.75 and 3.99 and as deans' scholars if they earn a graduation grade point average of between 3.50 and 3.74.

Semester Grade Point Average

The semester grade point average (GPA) is the average based on all credit courses taken during the academic term at Athens Technical College. The semester grade point average does not include credits earned at other colleges, credits associated with learning support classes, credits earned through the credit-by-examination process, credits for which the college does not assign quality points, and courses otherwise excluded by college policy. Grades earned for learning support classes affect satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes - see Satisfactory Academic Progress in the Financial Aid section.

Calculation of Grade

Point Averages

Grade point average (GPA) is calculated as follows:

1. Multiply the credit hours of each course by the points associated with the grade earned
2. Add the points earned for all courses
3. Divide the total points by the total number of credit hours attempted

The assigned values for grades are:

A	4 points
B	3 points
C	2 points
D	1 point
F	0 points
WF	0 points

Grade Reports

Grade reports are available via students' BannerWeb accounts. Students who do not have a computer or Internet access may go to the college libraries on the Athens, Elbert, Greene, or Walton campus to access and print grades. Grades are typically available for viewing seven days after the last day of the semester. Directions on how to view grades online are available on the college website (www.athenstech.edu; select Current Students and then Banner Student Log In before selecting the Directions for Viewing Grades link).

Academic Grievances

Students who receive final course grades that they believe are incorrect must first address the matter with the instructor; the instructor will review course grades and calculations and determine if a grade change is warranted. If students are not satisfied with the instructor's decision, they may request in writing that the vice president for academic affairs review the matter. Absent extraordinary circumstances, students must file written appeals within two weeks from the date they learned, or reasonably should have learned, of the grades or other actions with which they disagree. The vice president will examine the facts to ensure that the grade was determined fairly and according to the criteria stated in the course syllabus and will communicate the results of the review to the students and instructor. The decision of the vice president for academic affairs shall be final.

Academic Probation

Students on academic probation failed to earn a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) for all credit work attempted in any semester. Learning support grades are not included in the calculation of the semester GPA. Probation alerts students to the fact that their academic performance is not acceptable and points out possible consequences if they do not improve during the next semester of enrollment (see Semester Grade Point Average). Students placed on academic probation must attain a minimum 2.0 GPA during the next semester of enrollment to remove themselves from probationary status. Students who fail to do so are subject to academic dismissal. In certain circumstances, the college may dismiss students from academic programs or the college without placing them on probation first.

Students who transfer to Athens Technical College from another college where they were on academic probation at the time of the transfer will be admitted to Athens Technical College on probation. They must attain a minimum 2.0 GPA during their first semester of enrollment at Athens Technical College in order to remove themselves from probationary status. Students who fail to do so are subject to academic dismissal.

Academic Dismissal

Students who fail to remove themselves from academic probation will be academically dismissed. Academically dismissed students who gain readmission will do so on a probationary basis. Students are notified of their dismissal in writing at their @student.athenstech.edu email addresses.

Students academically dismissed for the first time may not enroll in classes for the subsequent semester. To gain readmission to the college, students who have been academically dismissed must submit a Request for Readmission to the Admissions Office. Upon gaining readmission to the college following a first dismissal, students must enroll in and successfully complete COLL 0099 - College Success Skills during their first semester of readmission.

Students academically dismissed for a second time may not enroll in classes for two consecutive semesters. They are required to submit a second Request for Readmission form and a letter explaining the circumstances of the second dismissal and reasons the readmission committee should grant them readmission.

Students academically dismissed for a third time may not enroll in classes for three consecutive semesters; a fourth time for four consecutive semesters, and similarly for all subsequent dismissals. Students on academic dismissal must submit a Request for Readmission form and a letter explaining the circumstances of the dismissal and reasons the readmission committee should grant them readmission.

Students must submit all requests for readmission to the readmission committee by the second week of the semester prior to the semester for which they are seeking readmission.

The readmission committee consists of the following personnel:

• The directors of admissions and student support services
• An admissions counselor (for Athens Campus students), the coordinator of student affairs on the Elbert County Campus (for Elbert County Campus students), the director of the Walton County Campus (for Walton County Campus students), or the drector of the Greene County Campus (for Greene County Campus students)
• The program chair of the dismissed student's most recent program of study

The committee considers requests and renders written decisions to students. In considering requests for readmission, the readmission committee has the authority to approve or deny requests and to stipulate conditions that students must satisfy. If the readmission committee denies students readmission to the same program of study, students may apply for admission to another program of study.

President's List

Students who earn a semester grade point average of 4.0 while enrolled for 12 or more semester credit hours will be placed on the President's List for the semester.

Dean's List

Students who earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 to 3.9 while enrolled for 12 or more semester credit hours will be placed on the Dean's List for the semester.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Students who receive scores of three or higher on College Board Advanced Placement tests for which the college offers an equivalent course may be awarded the appropriate credit at Athens Technical College. Applicants must have official test scores mailed directly from the College Board to Athens Technical College. Students should direct questions to registration@athenstech.edu about credit for AP courses.

College-Level (CLEP) Credit

Athens Technical College awards credit for a limited number of college-level examination subject exams, but not for the general exams. To receive CLEP credit, the scores received must be at the 50th percentile or higher. Applicants must have official test scores mailed directly from the College Board to Athens Technical College. Students should direct questions to registration@athenstech.edu about CLEP credits.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

Credit will be awarded to students who have taken appropriate high school courses determined equivalent to courses offered at Athens Technical College and achieved a score of three or higher on the International Baccalaureate Examination. The IB Examinations are offered by the International Baccalaureate Examination Board. Applicants must have official test scores mailed directly to Athens Technical College. Students should direct questions to registration@athenstech.edu about IB credit.

Credit by Examination

Credit by examination is a process that allows students who can demonstrate achievement of course competencies to receive credit for a course. Currently enrolled students who present evidence of prior knowledge of a particular subject may receive credit by passing a course-specific examination. Appropriate evidence may include, but is not necessarily limited to, work experience, non-credit coursework, equivalent coursework taken at non-accredited institutions, and courses offered by the military. Students may not take credit-by-examination tests for courses previously taken at Athens Technical College, including courses in which they earned grades of W, WP, WF, or AU unless the test is to demonstrate proficiency in coursework that is more than five years old - less time for certain health-related coursework - at the time of the request. Students may not take the same test more than once.

Students interested in credit by examination should confer with their respective academic advisors and the Registration and Records Office to ensure that credit earned through credit by examination will apply toward graduation requirements. Students must have the permission of the instructional program chair or course coordinator offering the courses before seeking credit by examination. The nonrefundable testing fee is 25 percent of tuition normally charged for the course. To seek credit by examination, students must complete the following steps:

• Obtain Credit by Examination Request form from the Registration and Records menu on the college's website (www.athenstech.edu; select Current Students and then Registration and Records before selecting the Forms link)
• Obtain signatures of the instructional program chairs offering the courses for which students seek credit through this examination process (Departments may ask for documentation of prior knowledge in certain subject areas before allowing students to seek credit by examination.)
• Pay a nonrefundable testing fee to the college's cashier once program chairs and/or course coordinators approve students to take examinations
• At the scheduled time, give the exam proctor the Credit by Examination form, testing fee receipt, and photo identification to gain admission to the testing session

The instructional department is responsible for reporting results to the Registration and Records Office. Students who achieve grades of C (70) or higher on exams receive credit for the courses. Academic transcripts list the grade EX for credit earned by examination. Students should verify they received credit by checking their transcripts on the college website.

Credit by Transfer

Athens Technical College recognizes that it is necessary to establish reasonable and definitive policies for the acceptance of transfer credit. The college developed these guidelines in accordance with the standards set by the Technical College System of Georgia, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Please note that equivalencies and requirements may change without notice. While the executive director of registration and records is responsible for evaluating transcripts to determine transfer credit, the ultimate authority for the transfer evaluation rests with the instructional faculty and division deans in the discipline. For example, the mathematics coordinator and dean of general education are the ultimate authorities on the transferability of math courses to the college. Athens Technical College distinguishes between the acceptance of credit and its applicability toward program requirements. Applicability of credit toward a credential refers to the prerogative of the academic divisions to count specific credit toward the fulfillment of graduation requirements. Students should review individual program selection and admission requirements to determine if coursework needs to be completed within a specific timeframe.

The executive director of registration and records determines the transferability of courses taken at other postsecondary institutions by considering the educational quality of the learning experience for which students seek transfer credit; the comparability of the nature, content, and level of the learning experiences to the courses offered at Athens Technical College; and the appropriateness and applicability of the learning experiences to the programs offered at Athens Technical College.

The college has established the following procedures to guide the awarding of transfer credit:

• Anatomy and Physiology
  

  Unless a class was taken at a Technical College System of Georgia institution, credit for Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 2113/2113L) and Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 2114/2114L) will only be awarded if both classes and their corresponding labs were taken at the same college.

• Computer Information System courses
  

  The appropriate faculty and administrators will review both the course competencies and date of completion (typically within five years) before awarding transfer credit for courses in computer science, microcomputers, or networking.

• Credit by examination
  

  Credit awarded by examination tests administered at other postsecondary institutions is not transferable.

• Learning Support coursework
  

  Learning support coursework taken at other colleges is not transferable.

• Life Science Courses
  

  Because of the competitive nature of the Life Sciences programs, transfer credit for courses specific to the Life Sciences programs is not routinely awarded. In rare situations where space allows, Life Sciences faculty and administrators will take into account the selection process and accreditation status of the student's former program when awarding transfer credit.

• Official transcripts with final grades
  

  Students must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended in the past. All official transcripts must include final grades. Students who submit transcripts with "in progress" coursework must submit additional official transcripts once they complete the "in progress" coursework for it to be considered for transfer credit.

• Paralegal Studies
  

  Paralegal Studies (PARA) coursework must have been taken at postsecondary institutions that hold American Bar Association (ABA), approval to be considered for transfer credit.

• Transferable coursework
  

  Students may receive transfer credit for courses taken at regionally accredited colleges and universities. If students attended a college that was not regionally accredited at the time of attendance, students may be asked to provide additional materials including course syllabi, college catalog course description, and instructors' credential information for the course to be considered for transfer.

  The student must have earned final grades of A+/-, B+/-, or C+/- for a course to be transferable, and the course must have greater than or equal to the number of semester hours required by the similar course at Athens Technical College.

  Grades earned in transferred courses are not calculated into Athens Technical College grade point averages; however, the Financial Aid Office includes transferred grades earned for all courses taken at all postsecondary institutions when calculation HOPE scholarship grade point averages and for determining satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes.

• Science courses with separate labs
  

  In order to receive credit for a science course, students must pass both the course and the associated lab. Transfer credit for lecture and lab will not be awarded separately.

• Semester system
  

  If students are coming from institutions on the quarter system, the quarter hours are converted to semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by 0.6667. This conversion may result in students receiving fewer credit hours for coursework offered at Athens Technical College. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they complete additional coursework, if necessary, in order to satisfy the graduation requirements of their program of study at Athens Technical College.

• Transferring from another Georgia technical college
  

  Coursework taken under state-approved standards at other Technical College System of Georgia colleges is transferable provided the student's previous technical college is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. If students attended a technical college that was not regionally accredited at the time of attendance, students may be asked to provide additional materials including course syllabi, college catalog course description, and instructors' credential information for the course to be considered for transfer.

• Transcript Notation of transfer credit
  

  Transfer credit is noted by TR, TRA, TRB, or TRC on the Athens Technical College transcript and is not included in semester, cumulative, or graduation grade point averages. The Registration and Records Office record transferred coursework on students' electronic academic records and notifies students via email at the @student.athenstech.edu email address that the credits have been posted. Students should access their student records on their Banner Student Web accounts through the college website (www.athenstech.edu) to verify the transfer credit awarded

  Students wishing to transfer from Athens Technical College to another college must contact that college directly to determine the transferability of credits.

Experiential Credit

The college does not award credit for work experience.

High School Articulation

High school students enrolled in secondary institutions with which Athens Technical College has articulation agreements are eligible for credit by examination resulting from joint review and course articulation. Procedures are available from the college's high school coordinator on the Athens Campus and from the directors of career, technical, and agricultural education at area high schools.

High school students may seek credit for both statewide and locally articulated courses. Students who achieve minimum grades of 70 in the related courses at the high school level are eligible to attempt to earn credit by examinations. Those who make grades of C (70) or higher on the exemption examinations receive college credit (grades of AC on their college transcripts) for the courses.

There is no requirement for students to take additional coursework to replace courses for which credit was earned through examination, and there is no charge to high school students for testing. Students must pay $20 to reserve spaces on the testing rosters, but the college will return this fee once students complete their examinations. The executive director of registration and records will continue to process documentation for credit by examination up to 24 months after students graduate from high school.

Military Credit

Credit for courses completed at military service schools is awarded based on the American Council of Education (ACE) recommendations as listed in A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.

Attendance Policy

Athens Technical College requires regular and punctual class attendance. Absences prevent students from receiving full course benefits, disrupt orderly course progress, and diminish the quality of group interaction in class. The college considers both tardiness and early departure from class as forms of absenteeism. Students absent from class for any reason are still responsible for all work missed.

Students should enroll only in those classes that they can reasonably expect to attend on a regular basis. Instructors have both the right and the responsibility to develop reasonable attendance policies appropriate to the type, level, delivery method, and frequency of class meetings for their course; to communicate the policies to students clearly via the course syllabus or addendum; and to apply the policies fairly and consistently to all enrolled students.

Instructors are solely responsible for determining whether work missed may be made up; any make-up work allowed will be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor. Policies for makeup work will also be detailed in the course syllabus or addendum. In case of classes canceled due to inclement weather or emergencies, the college will make every effort to reschedule classroom/lab hours missed. Please see the Continuation of Instruction Plan for further information concerning emergency situations.

Auditing Classes

Students who audit courses attend classes without receiving grades or credit. Students must meet all prerequisites for the courses they audit. Students who audit courses must pay the regular tuition, admission, and registration fees. They must attend classes during the same periods as students who will receive grades and credit for the courses. Students who audit courses receive all course materials (except tests) available to credit students. Instructors may provide practice tests for audit students if they deem it appropriate. Students who wish to audit classes must receive approval from the appropriate division dean prior to registration; the dean will notify the instructor of the audit approval. Students must complete and sign an audit form and obtain signatures from the appropriate division dean before submitting the form to the Registration and Records Office. Audit forms are available on the Athens Technical College website. Select current students then registration and records to find the link to forms. Students may register to audit courses on a space available basis only during the late student registration period. Students may not change from credit status to audit status or vice versa once the term starts, including during the official drop/add period. The executive director of registration and records will not change audit grades to credit grades after students complete the course.

Students may not use financial aid to pay tuition and fees for courses they audit. Because auditing courses may affect financial aid status, students receiving financial aid must report to that office to disclose their auditor status.

Continuation of Instruction Plan

Athens Technical College has developed a Continuation of Instruction Plan to be implemented in case of emergency situations such as inclement weather or other emergencies which cause short-term campus closure or in the event faculty members need to cancel classes for a short time due to personal illness. This plan includes methods for communicating with students and for providing access to course materials via online course component or email.

Communication-Instructors are responsible for informing students of how they will communicate with them should the college close for inclement weather and other emergency situations. Instructors should post their information in their syllabi addenda. Students will also receive information on the best way to contact instructors in case of an emergency.

Instruction-Faculty must describe in the syllabi addenda how they will use the online course component or email in their course to continue instruction when the college is closed for inclement weather and other emergency situations. Faculty who integrate an online component in their course will use that component to continue instruction. Faculty who do not integrate an online component in their course will communicate and continue instruction with their students through the students' @student.athenstech.edu email account. Faculty will use their college-provided email account to send and receive emails from students. If email is utilized to continue instruction, content can be attached to the email between instructors and students.

Help Resources-Instructors will provide information to students about academic and technical help resources. This information should be readily accessible to students in the online course component or sent to them via email.

Course Load

Students may register for up to 18 semester hours of credit in any term. Requests for more than 18 hours must be made in writing to the vice president for academic affairs.

Course Substitution

Students enrolled in diploma programs of study who meet associate-level prerequisite test-score requirements may substitute the following higher-level general education courses or electives to meet the general education core or elective requirements of their diploma programs of study:
ENGL 1101 for ENGL 1010
PSYC 1101 for PSYC 1010
MATH 11XX for MATH 10XX
BIOL 2113/BIOL 2113L and BIOL 2114/BIOL 2114L for ALHS 1011

Distance Learning

Although distance learning can be a flexible and convenient alternative to taking face-to-face courses, online courses are not easier. Online courses at Athens Technical College typically require one or more proctored exams. A proctored exam requires students to go to one of the campuses of Athens Technical College or to locate a proctor (typically at a local college, university, or testing center) and complete the exam as directed by the instructor. The following items explain distance learning at Athens Technical College:

• Taught by college faculty, distance learning courses are comparable to the same courses taught in a traditional classroom setting.
• Distance learning courses have the same course content, student learning outcomes, and grading policy and criteria as traditional courses.
• Students who take online courses need strong study, time management, Internet, and reading comprehension skills to be successful.
• On average, online courses require a minimum time commitment of 15 hours each week to complete all assignments. Students interact with the instructor and other students through the online learning environment.
• Thinkwell and MyMathLab learning management programs are used for the majority of math courses offered at Athens Technical College. ANGEL, a learning management program, is used for all other distance learning courses available at the college. Students receive a username and password to access these learning management programs.

Eligible for E-Learning at Athens Technical College
In an effort to ensure the best change of successful completion of online courses, Athens Technical College requires students who plan to take online courses to meet the following criteria:

• Hold a minimum grade point average of 2.0
• Have completed all Reading learning support courses prior to enrolling in a distance learning course
• Have met all course prerequisites
• Be in good academic standing; students on probation or who are returning to college after having been academically dismissed are ineligible to take online classes
• Have no history of having failing (F) or withdrawal failing (WF) grades in the course they wish to take online
• Have completed the Orientation Process for Online Classes before meeting with their advisor

Definitions of Types of Distance Learning Courses
The following terms describe the instructional methods used to deliver distance learning courses at Athens Technical College:

• Online
  

  All instruction occurs online; testing may occur online or in a proctored environment.

• Hybrid
  

  Courses are taught primarily online and partially in the classroom at the designated campus at a designated time and day of the week.

• Web-enhanced
  

  Traditional classroom courses use the Internet as a component of the course. The web-based component of the course supports classroom instruction and may require students to use the Internet to interact with one another and the instructor, do research, complete and/or submit assignments, or take tests.

• Video-conferencing
  

  Face-to-face course taught at two or more locations at the same time. The course is delivered by interactive audio/video technologies with the instructor teaching in one of the classroom locations, broadcasting to the other classroom location.

Support for Distance Learners
The director of distance education and instructional technologies supports faculty and manages the college's web-based instruction and instructional technology needs. Students requiring technical support for their distance education courses are encouraged to:

• Visit the E-learning web page for information regarding software and hardware requirements (This information is available on the college's website www.athenstech.edu; select E-Learning and then Elearning Portal/Login before selecting E-Learning@ATC and Software/Hardware Requirements.)
• Contact the course instructor for assistance.
• Seek help desk support if the course instructor is not able to resolve the issue.
• Students should submit a support request form through the college's website (www.athenstech.edu; select E-Learning and then Elearning Portal/Login before selecting Technical Support and then Student Support). On class days, students can expect a response from technical support within 24 hours.

For more information about services and resources available to all students, including distance learners, please visit the Current Students link on the college's website (www.athenstech.edu).

Full-time Student Status

Students enrolled in 12 or more semester hours of credit are considered full-time students. Students who gain admission to the college as learning support students can enroll only in learning support courses until they achieve at least provisional admission status (see Provisional and Learning Support Admission). Should the number of hours learning support students qualify to take in any given semester be less than 12 semester credit hours, the executive director of registration and records may identify those students as full-time students for insurance verification purposes.

Residency Requirement

Students seeking associate degrees or diplomas must complete at least 25 percent of the coursework for their programs of study at Athens Technical College.

Transcript Requests

All transcripts issued include the student's entire academic record. Students must submit a completed Transcript Request form to the Registration and Records Office on the Athens Campus, the Student Affairs Office on the Elbert County Campus, the Director's Office on the Walton County Campus, or the Director's Office at the Greene County Campus. On the Transcript Request form, students must provide their names as recorded on official Athens Technical College records, their college identification numbers, their programs of study, their dates of enrollment at the college, complete information on where the Registration and Records Office is to mail or email the transcripts, and their signatures. Transcript Request forms are available on the college's website (www.athenstech.edu; select Current Students and then Registration and Records) (Students may print unofficial transcripts from their BannerWeb accounts at any time).

Students must pay a fee of $5 for each official transcript issued. Students may pay a fee of $25 to obtain one or more official transcripts on demand. Students will be assessed an additional fee if they request to have their transcripts sent by certified or overnight mail. This policy also applies to transient students from other institutions.

The Registration and Records Office will not issue transcripts to students who are financially indebted to the college.

Transient Status for ATC Students

Students who are pursuing diploma or associate degree programs of study at Athens Technical College may occasionally wish to take courses at other regionally accredited colleges for transfer to ATC. Such students should first seek the advice of their respective program advisors and/or the Registration and Records Office to ensure that transient student status will meet residency and other graduation-related requirements. Regular admission students seeking transient status must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Students who do not declare a program of study (special admission status) are ineligible to be transient students at other institutions.

Athens Technical College approves transient student status only for courses included in (or equivalent to those listed in) programs of study offered at the college. Students must satisfactorily complete all course prerequisites before gaining transient approval. Transient admission is for one term only; students must submit transient request forms each term they plan to enroll in courses at other colleges. Requests to take online courses offered by other Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) colleges must be submitted using the online process at www.gvtc.org. To request face-to-face classes at TCSG colleges or at other regionally accredited colleges, students must complete a transient credit request form, which is available on the college website (www.athenstech.edu; select Current Students and then Registration and Records before selecting Forms). Students must print and complete the form before submitting it to the Office of Academic Affairs on the Athens Campus.

The vice president for academic affairs will verify that students are currently enrolled and are in good academic standing. The vice president will also determine whether the courses they plan to take as transient students apply to their programs of study. If students satisfy the criteria, the vice president will approve the request.

After completing courses, transient students must request that the registrars at the other colleges send official transcripts to the ATC Registration and Records Office. That office will award transfer credit for courses completed with grades of C or higher. Students should access their student records via BannerWeb to verify that the transfer credit has been awarded.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

The following universities or systems have articulation agreements with the members of the Technical College System of Georgia, including Athens Technical College, that are regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS):

• Clayton State University
  Bachelor of Applied Science programs:
  http://a-s.clayton.edu/socsci/BAS/BASPrograms.htm
• DeVry University
  Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science in Technical Management degree programs:
  http://www.devry.edu/degree-programs/colleges-degree-programs-overview.jsp
• Life University
  Bachelor of Business Administration agreement:
  http://www.life.edu/attachments/article/235/AA-Athens%20Technical%20College-BBA-03212011_0.pdf
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Management agreement:
  http://www.life.edu/attachments/article/235/AA-Athens%20Technical%20College-BS-CIM-03212011_0.pdf
• Mercer University
  Bachelor's degree, multiple programs:
  http://workingadults.mercer.edu/mu-workingadults/upload/TechSchoolArticulation.pdf
• Southern Polytechnic State University
  Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor in Engineering Technology-related programs:
  http://www.spsu.edu/tcsg/
• Statewide RN-BSN Articulation
  The process that allows graduates of diploma and ADN/ASN degrees to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is described here: http://www.gcsu.edu/nursing/docs/Artic.pdf.
• University System of Georgia
  There is a statewide articulation agreement between the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and the University System of Georgia (USG) that specifies 27 general education courses that are guaranteed to transfer between Commission on Colleges-accredited institutions within TCSG and the USG, found under the Complete College Georgia General Education Transfer courses link here: http://www.usg.edu/academic_planning/academic_planning
  
  A number of additional ATC courses transfer to the University of Georgia. They can be found by going to the UGA website (www.uga.edu) and using its Transfer Equivalency Search System found at the following address: https://www.admissions.uga.edu/article/transfer-equivalency-search-system.html. ATC also has an articulation agreement with UGA's College of Environment and Design that is described in the college catalog under the Landscape Design TCC.
• ATC also has local articulation agreements with Piedmont, Emmanuel College, and Macon State College.

Warranty of Graduates

As a demonstration of confidence in the quality of the programs of study offered at each technical college in Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia warrants every graduate of technical programs in which students may earn technical certificates of credit, diplomas, or associate degrees.

The warranty guarantees that graduates demonstrated the knowledge and skills and can perform each competency as identified in the industry-validated standards established for every program of study. If it is determined that program graduates lack such competencies, the Technical College System of Georgia will provide retraining in areas of deficiencies at no charge to the employers or graduates.

An employer in conjunction with a graduate, or the graduate alone, may file a claim against the warranty if the individual is unable to perform one or more of the competencies contained in the industry-validated standards, including failure to pass a State of Georgia-required licensing examination. This warranty is applicable only to graduates of technical certificate, diploma, or associate degree programs who entered the programs subsequent to the mandated standards implementation date. The warranty shall remain in effect for two years immediately following the date of graduation, and any state-governed technical college that offers the programs from which individuals graduated will honor this warranty.

Work Ethics

Work Ethics refers to the basic academic, interpersonal, reasoning, and problem-solving skills, as well as work ethics behaviors that, when transferred to the occupational setting, facilitate job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Because students are preparing for employment, it is essential that they become accustomed to standards of behavior in the workplace. The college has the following expectations of its students:

• Appearance
  (Students display appropriate dress, grooming, and hygiene.)
• Attendance
  (Students attend and participate in classes, arrive and leave on time, and notify instructors of planned absences.)
• Attitude
  (Students demonstrate positive attitudes and self-confidence, have realistic expectations of themselves and others, and demonstrate mannerly behavior.)
• Character
  (Students display loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, dependability, reliability, initiative, self-discipline, and self-responsibility.)
• Communication
  (Students display appropriate verbal (speaking), nonverbal (eye contact and body language), writing, and listening skills.)
• Cooperation
  (Students work well with others and respond appropriately to constructive criticism, conflicts, and complaints.)
• Organizational Skills
  (Students possess skills in prioritizing and managing time and resources effectively, demonstrate flexibility in responding to change, and follow directions and procedures for the work environment.)
• Productivity
  (Students demonstrate problem-solving capabilities and complete tasks efficiently, effectively, and timely.)
• Respect
  (Students react appropriately to cultural/racial diversity in the classroom, lab, or clinical/practicum/internship setting; acknowledge and appreciate the rights of others; and have regard for diversity.)
• Teamwork
  (Students work corroboratively with others toward a common goal in a respective and cooperative manner and participate appropriately as a team member.)

Program faculty identifies how they will assess students' accomplishments of these expectations in the different courses associated with a program of study. They develop the assessment methods in accordance with the professional standards and expectations associated with the career field.