Piedmont College Academics - Message From The Vice President of Academic Affairs

Admission To Piedmont
(Undergraduate)

Traditional Freshmen
A traditional student is defined as a student who has been out of high school for less than five years and has not taken any college courses with the exception of joint enrollment courses. Traditional freshmen should submit the following items in order to be considered for admissions:

1. An application for admission with the required essay;

2. An official transcript of all high school diploma course work or an official home-school transcript. Applicants should have completed at least 21 high school units. Suggested units include four English units, two algebra units, one plane geometry unit, two units of the same foreign language, two history units, three science units, and one social studies unit;

4. An official transcript of all joint enrollment credits from each college or university attended, if applicable.

Non-Traditional Freshmen
A non-traditional student is defined as an individual who graduated from high school or would have graduated from high school at least five years before the requested application term. Applicants must have graduated from high school or satisfied requirements for the General Equivalence Diploma (GED). Non-traditional students are exempt from College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) requirements and submission of official SAT or ACT scores.

Non-traditional applicants may be required to take assessment tests in the areas of mathematics, reading and writing. The results of these diagnostic exams will indicate the level at which a student should begin the College curriculum in these areas.

Non-traditional freshmen should submit the following items in order to be considered for admission:

1. An application for admission with the required essay; and

2. An official transcript of all high school diploma course work or a General Equivalence Diploma (GED).

Transfer Students
A transfer student is defined as a person who, having attended another institution
of higher learning, is applying for admission to Piedmont.

Transfer students should submit the following items in order to be considered for admission:

1. An application for admission with the required essay;

2. Official transcripts from each college, university, or technical school attended. Transfer applicants must present a satisfactory academic record (normally at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale with all grades being considered) from each institution attended. Under special circumstances, such as a returning veteran, mature student, or on clear evidence of sincere desire to obtain an education, the requirement for a satisfactory academic record may be waived. The Piedmont College Admissions Committee makes this decision;

3. If the transfer student has fewer than 24 semester credit hours from previously attended institutions, an official final high school transcript is required. An SAT and/or ACT may be used to help determine admissions;

4. Students entering Piedmont College’s Degree Completion Program may elect to follow the general education requirements specified under “Degree Requirements.” To do so, students must present a minimum of 60 semester hours of regionally accredited undergraduate college course work or nationally recognized examination credit (CLEP or similar). Students having completed a minimum of 45 semester credit hours as specified in the requirements may apply for conditional admission. Transfer students who have completed fewer than 45 semester credit hours must complete the regular general education requirements.

Other policies applicable to transfer students include the following:

• Only courses from regionally accredited institutions and foreign institutions approved for semester abroad will be accepted for credit.

• Only grades of “C” or higher are transferred in all courses.

• Transfer credits in the major and minor fields may be accepted provided that the courses to be transferred are at the same level (lower or upper division level, as appropriate) as the corresponding courses at Piedmont College. Please consult the Registrar for more specific information.

• Half of the required courses in the major and minor fields of concentration must be taken at Piedmont College. Appeals may be considered by the Academic Vice President.

• Developmental, orientation, student-assembly, and cultural-events credits are non-transferable.

Joint Enrollment
A joint enrollment student is a high school student who is allowed to register for college courses while attending high school or home school. To be eligible for the Joint Enrollment Program at Piedmont College the student must:

• Be classified as a high school junior or senior by the student’s high school or home school program

• Be at least 16 years of age by the beginning of the semester of enrollment
• Be a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident Alien who meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen

• Show evidence of SAT scores which must be 500 or higher in Math and 500 or higher in critical reading (ACT must be 21 or higher composite score); and a 3.0 or higher high school grade point average.

Students wishing to participate in the joint enrollment program must submit the following to the Office of Admissions:

• An application for admission

• High School or Home School Transcripts

• A copy of the SAT or ACT score report (if not on transcripts)

• An Accel Program Application (if applicant attends a public or private high school that is eligible for the Accel Program) is to be completed on-line at gacollege411.org

• Recommendations from at least two high school teachers as well as the principal (if applicant attends a public or private high school that is eligible for the Accel Program)

Home-Schooled Students
At Piedmont, we encourage academically talented students from home schools to join our learning community. Admission requirements for home-educated students are as follows:

1. An application for admission with the required essay;

2. Official SAT or ACT scores (alternative institutional testing can be arranged.)

3. Transcript or portfolio detailing all high school course work completed.

4. Two letters of recommendation from sources outside the home who have knowledge of the student’s academic or extracurricular achievements. An interview with the student and family may be required.

International Students
An international student is defined as a student who is a non-U.S. citizen. Piedmont College welcomes international students as active members of the College.
International students should submit the following in order to be considered for admission:

1. An application for admission with the required essay;

2. An official copy of secondary records and an official record of any college work completed;

3. An official score report of the results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College Test (ACT) of the American College Testing Programs for students who speak English as their first language. Non-native English speakers must provide satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A satisfactory TOEFL score is 550 or higher and/or a score of 213 or higher on the computer-based version. A TOEFL score more than two years old will not be accepted;

4. A completed health form, along with proof of health insurance and immunizations; and

5. A financial statement showing sufficient availability of funds and the source of these funds for four years of college. Before an I-20 can be issued for an admitted international student, the student must place on account with the College an amount equal to the first year’s tuition, room and board, book charges and funds for return air fare to his/her home country.

When all of the items listed above are received, a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – For Academic and Language Students can be released to the student.

Special Status
Special students are dealt with on a case-by-case basis depending on what the student is seeking while attending Piedmont College. For the most part, special students are students who are not candidates for degrees. Requests for such admissions should be forwarded to the Director of Undergraduate Admissions and in some cases the Director of Graduate Admissions.

Special students should submit the following in order to be considered for admission:

1. An application for admission with the required essay; and

2. Official transcripts from the college or university where the student attended or completed an undergraduate degree.

Transient Status
A transient student is defined as a student who is enrolled in good standing at another college or university. Students enrolled at other colleges or universities may apply for temporary admission and registration at Piedmont College as transient students. These students expect to return to the colleges or universities where they were previously enrolled and to complete degree requirements at those institutions.

In order to be considered for admission, transient students must provide the Piedmont College registrar’s office with a letter from his/her home institution granting permission to be a transient student at Piedmont. The student will be permitted to attend for the term and under the conditions specified in the letter.

Advanced Placement and Other
Non-Classroom Credit Options
Entering students may receive Advanced Placement (AP) credit based on examination scores. For information on this and other non-classroom college credit opportunities, see Credit by Examination or Experience under Academic Regulations.

Evening Studies, Degree Completion Program
Piedmont College (Demorest and Athens) offers degrees in business, criminal justice, education, emergency preparedness, graphic design, interdisciplinary studies, political science, psychology, and sociology for students who have accumulated 60 semester hours at an accredited institution of higher learning. Students with fewer than 60 semester hours who meet specific criteria (see page 67) may be admitted on a conditional basis. Official transcripts must be submitted for review by the Registrar.

Each degree program is offered in an accelerated, flexible format to meet the needs of working professionals. A class generally meets four hours, once per week, for eight weeks. This accelerated schedule allows students to qualify for full-time status by taking four classes in two eight-week sessions. Students who choose to attend full time are eligible for full financial aid benefits. See the entrance requirements for transfer students who elect to enter under the general education requirements for this program on page 67.

Readmission
Undergraduate students who are not enrolled for two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) must apply for readmission. To reapply, submit an Application for Undergraduate Readmission form to the Registrar at least one week prior to the beginning of the semester for which you are seeking readmission.

Those seeking readmission after an absence of eight or more years may elect to apply for readmission under the College’s Forgiveness Policy. Under this policy, students have the option of a “fresh start” by having all previously earned credits at Piedmont evaluated in a manner similar to that of a student transferring to the College rather than having them remain in effect as a readmitted student. The grades of courses treated on a transfer basis are not computed into a student’s cumulative or honors grade-point averages. However, the student’s previous Piedmont academic record with grades earned will remain a part of the student’s permanent record and will appear on any transcript issued by the College.

The Forgiveness Policy option may be chosen only at the time of readmission to the College. Those who choose this option should be aware that certain honor societies may require that all course grades be used in calculating a GPA for membership.

Application forms for Undergraduate Readmission are available in the Registrar’s Office or at the Piedmont College website: www.piedmont.edu/reg. Students who are readmitted may follow the program of study outlined in the current Piedmont College catalog or that in the catalog in effect at the time they initially enrolled if no more than five years have elapsed.

Students with Disabilities
Special Considerations: Piedmont College makes every effort to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students with disabilities. Accommodations must be coordinated through the Office of Counseling and Career Service by contacting the director at 1-800-277-7020, ext. 1259 or by e-mail at kcutrell@piedmont.edu. Students are responsible for providing accurate and current documentation of their disability and for making a written request to the Director Counseling and Career Services before receiving accommodations. Students with special needs (disabilities, problems, or any other factors that may affect their performance or that require special instructional strategies) should also make these needs known to the professor/instructor during the first class session.

Student Complaints and Grievances
Any student filing a complaint or grievance must first attempt to resolve it by consulting with the involved faculty or staff member. In the event no resolution is reached, the student should bring or send the complaint or grievance, in writing, to the appropriate officer of the College (the Vice President for Academic Affairs, for academic matters; the Vice President for Finance and Administration, for problems with fees, business office matters, or financial aid concerns; or the Dean of Students, for non-academic matters), or to the President of the College, who will assign the complaint or grievance to the appropriate officer. The officer will attempt to resolve the problem in a manner satisfactory to all concerned.



	2007-2008 Catalog Admission To Piedmont (Undergraduate) Traditional Freshmen \| Non-Traditional Freshmen \| Transfer Students \| Joint Enrollment \| Home-Schooled \| International Students \| Special Status Transient Students \| Advanced Placement \| Evening Studies/Degree Completion \| Readmission \| Students with Disabilities \| Complaints and Grievances Traditional Freshmen A traditional student is defined as a student who has been out of high school for less than five years and has not taken any college courses with the exception of joint enrollment courses. Traditional freshmen should submit the following items in order to be considered for admissions: 1. An application for admission with the required essay; 2. An official transcript of all high school diploma course work or an official home-school transcript. Applicants should have completed at least 21 high school units. Suggested units include four English units, two algebra units, one plane geometry unit, two units of the same foreign language, two history units, three science units, and one social studies unit; 3. An official score report of the results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College Test (ACT ) of the American College Testing Programs; and 4. An official transcript of all joint enrollment credits from each college or university attended, if applicable. Non-Traditional Freshmen A non-traditional student is defined as an individual who graduated from high school or would have graduated from high school at least five years before the requested application term. Applicants must have graduated from high school or satisfied requirements for the General Equivalence Diploma (GED). Non-traditional students are exempt from College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) requirements and submission of official SAT or ACT scores. Non-traditional applicants may be required to take assessment tests in the areas of mathematics, reading and writing. The results of these diagnostic exams will indicate the level at which a student should begin the College curriculum in these areas. Non-traditional freshmen should submit the following items in order to be considered for admission: 1. An application for admission with the required essay; and 2. An official transcript of all high school diploma course work or a General Equivalence Diploma (GED). Transfer Students A transfer student is defined as a person who, having attended another institution of higher learning, is applying for admission to Piedmont. Transfer students should submit the following items in order to be considered for admission: 1. An application for admission with the required essay; 2. Official transcripts from each college, university, or technical school attended. Transfer applicants must present a satisfactory academic record (normally at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale with all grades being considered) from each institution attended. Under special circumstances, such as a returning veteran, mature student, or on clear evidence of sincere desire to obtain an education, the requirement for a satisfactory academic record may be waived. The Piedmont College Admissions Committee makes this decision; 3. If the transfer student has fewer than 24 semester credit hours from previously attended institutions, an official final high school transcript is required. An SAT and/or ACT may be used to help determine admissions; 4. Students entering Piedmont College’s Degree Completion Program may elect to follow the general education requirements specified under “Degree Requirements.” To do so, students must present a minimum of 60 semester hours of regionally accredited undergraduate college course work or nationally recognized examination credit (CLEP or similar). Students having completed a minimum of 45 semester credit hours as specified in the requirements may apply for conditional admission. Transfer students who have completed fewer than 45 semester credit hours must complete the regular general education requirements. Other policies applicable to transfer students include the following: • Only courses from regionally accredited institutions and foreign institutions approved for semester abroad will be accepted for credit. • Only grades of “C” or higher are transferred in all courses. • Transfer credits in the major and minor fields may be accepted provided that the courses to be transferred are at the same level (lower or upper division level, as appropriate) as the corresponding courses at Piedmont College. Please consult the Registrar for more specific information. • Half of the required courses in the major and minor fields of concentration must be taken at Piedmont College. Appeals may be considered by the Academic Vice President. • Developmental, orientation, student-assembly, and cultural-events credits are non-transferable. Joint Enrollment A joint enrollment student is a high school student who is allowed to register for college courses while attending high school or home school. To be eligible for the Joint Enrollment Program at Piedmont College the student must: • Be classified as a high school junior or senior by the student’s high school or home school program • Be at least 16 years of age by the beginning of the semester of enrollment • Be a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident Alien who meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen • Show evidence of SAT scores which must be 500 or higher in Math and 500 or higher in critical reading (ACT must be 21 or higher composite score); and a 3.0 or higher high school grade point average. Students wishing to participate in the joint enrollment program must submit the following to the Office of Admissions: • An application for admission • High School or Home School Transcripts • A copy of the SAT or ACT score report (if not on transcripts) • An Accel Program Application (if applicant attends a public or private high school that is eligible for the Accel Program) is to be completed on-line at gacollege411.org • Recommendations from at least two high school teachers as well as the principal (if applicant attends a public or private high school that is eligible for the Accel Program) Home-Schooled Students At Piedmont, we encourage academically talented students from home schools to join our learning community. Admission requirements for home-educated students are as follows: 1. An application for admission with the required essay; 2. Official SAT or ACT scores (alternative institutional testing can be arranged.) 3. Transcript or portfolio detailing all high school course work completed. 4. Two letters of recommendation from sources outside the home who have knowledge of the student’s academic or extracurricular achievements. An interview with the student and family may be required. International Students An international student is defined as a student who is a non-U.S. citizen. Piedmont College welcomes international students as active members of the College. International students should submit the following in order to be considered for admission: 1. An application for admission with the required essay; 2. An official copy of secondary records and an official record of any college work completed; 3. An official score report of the results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College Test (ACT) of the American College Testing Programs for students who speak English as their first language. Non-native English speakers must provide satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A satisfactory TOEFL score is 550 or higher and/or a score of 213 or higher on the computer-based version. A TOEFL score more than two years old will not be accepted; 4. A completed health form, along with proof of health insurance and immunizations; and 5. A financial statement showing sufficient availability of funds and the source of these funds for four years of college. Before an I-20 can be issued for an admitted international student, the student must place on account with the College an amount equal to the first year’s tuition, room and board, book charges and funds for return air fare to his/her home country. When all of the items listed above are received, a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – For Academic and Language Students can be released to the student. Special Status Special students are dealt with on a case-by-case basis depending on what the student is seeking while attending Piedmont College. For the most part, special students are students who are not candidates for degrees. Requests for such admissions should be forwarded to the Director of Undergraduate Admissions and in some cases the Director of Graduate Admissions. Special students should submit the following in order to be considered for admission: 1. An application for admission with the required essay; and 2. Official transcripts from the college or university where the student attended or completed an undergraduate degree. Transient Status A transient student is defined as a student who is enrolled in good standing at another college or university. Students enrolled at other colleges or universities may apply for temporary admission and registration at Piedmont College as transient students. These students expect to return to the colleges or universities where they were previously enrolled and to complete degree requirements at those institutions. In order to be considered for admission, transient students must provide the Piedmont College registrar’s office with a letter from his/her home institution granting permission to be a transient student at Piedmont. The student will be permitted to attend for the term and under the conditions specified in the letter. Advanced Placement and Other Non-Classroom Credit Options Entering students may receive Advanced Placement (AP) credit based on examination scores. For information on this and other non-classroom college credit opportunities, see Credit by Examination or Experience under Academic Regulations. Evening Studies, Degree Completion Program Piedmont College (Demorest and Athens) offers degrees in business, criminal justice, education, emergency preparedness, graphic design, interdisciplinary studies, political science, psychology, and sociology for students who have accumulated 60 semester hours at an accredited institution of higher learning. Students with fewer than 60 semester hours who meet specific criteria (see page 67) may be admitted on a conditional basis. Official transcripts must be submitted for review by the Registrar. Each degree program is offered in an accelerated, flexible format to meet the needs of working professionals. A class generally meets four hours, once per week, for eight weeks. This accelerated schedule allows students to qualify for full-time status by taking four classes in two eight-week sessions. Students who choose to attend full time are eligible for full financial aid benefits. See the entrance requirements for transfer students who elect to enter under the general education requirements for this program on page 67. Readmission Undergraduate students who are not enrolled for two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) must apply for readmission. To reapply, submit an Application for Undergraduate Readmission form to the Registrar at least one week prior to the beginning of the semester for which you are seeking readmission. Those seeking readmission after an absence of eight or more years may elect to apply for readmission under the College’s Forgiveness Policy. Under this policy, students have the option of a “fresh start” by having all previously earned credits at Piedmont evaluated in a manner similar to that of a student transferring to the College rather than having them remain in effect as a readmitted student. The grades of courses treated on a transfer basis are not computed into a student’s cumulative or honors grade-point averages. However, the student’s previous Piedmont academic record with grades earned will remain a part of the student’s permanent record and will appear on any transcript issued by the College. The Forgiveness Policy option may be chosen only at the time of readmission to the College. Those who choose this option should be aware that certain honor societies may require that all course grades be used in calculating a GPA for membership. Application forms for Undergraduate Readmission are available in the Registrar’s Office or at the Piedmont College website: www.piedmont.edu/reg. Students who are readmitted may follow the program of study outlined in the current Piedmont College catalog or that in the catalog in effect at the time they initially enrolled if no more than five years have elapsed. Students with Disabilities Special Considerations: Piedmont College makes every effort to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students with disabilities. Accommodations must be coordinated through the Office of Counseling and Career Service by contacting the director at 1-800-277-7020, ext. 1259 or by e-mail at kcutrell@piedmont.edu. Students are responsible for providing accurate and current documentation of their disability and for making a written request to the Director Counseling and Career Services before receiving accommodations. Students with special needs (disabilities, problems, or any other factors that may affect their performance or that require special instructional strategies) should also make these needs known to the professor/instructor during the first class session. Student Complaints and Grievances Any student filing a complaint or grievance must first attempt to resolve it by consulting with the involved faculty or staff member. In the event no resolution is reached, the student should bring or send the complaint or grievance, in writing, to the appropriate officer of the College (the Vice President for Academic Affairs, for academic matters; the Vice President for Finance and Administration, for problems with fees, business office matters, or financial aid concerns; or the Dean of Students, for non-academic matters), or to the President of the College, who will assign the complaint or grievance to the appropriate officer. The officer will attempt to resolve the problem in a manner satisfactory to all concerned.