Faculty & Staff

Darton College
Policies and Procedures

CLASS LOAD AND ATTENDANCE

Although a normal class load is 15 semester hours, students carrying a class load of 12 hours of academic work are considered "full-time" and those carrying fewer than 12 hours are considered "part-time." The maximum normal academic load that students may carry is 19 semester hours including physical education and music courses. Enrollment in courses taken for audit is included in the computation of student class load. In such cases, the credit in semester hours provides the basis for computing that portion of the student class load. Faculty advisors will help students in planning their class load each semester.

Semester Credit Hours - Darton College calculates semester credit hours for both college degree credit courses and institutional credit courses. In general, college degree courses are numbered 1000 or higher, and institutional credit courses are numbered less than 1000, are developmental in purpose, and are offered by the Learning Support Division. A semester credit hour is the unit of measure of academic work. In general one semester credit hour is assigned for each class period the course meets per week. For example, a 3-semester hour class would meet three 50-minute class periods per week for the semester. Some exceptions to this rule are laboratory, clinic, studio, activity, and music courses which meet 2 to 3 hours per week to equal one semester credit hour.

Students Taking An Overload - Students who desire to take more than the maximum normal load, 19 semester hours, and who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, such as the Dean's List for the preceding semester, may apply to the division chair for approval of an "overload."

Students in Academic Difficulty - The College reserves the right to limit the class load of students doing poor academic work.

Students Employed - Students who work are advised to reduce their class load in proportion to their work load. Full-time students should not plan to be employed on a regular basis but should devote their time to academic endeavors. The following work/class load ratio is suggested:

Student Class Attendance - It is the policy of this college that students are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes, laboratories, or clinic sessions when reasonably possible. Some justified and unavoidable absences are expected. Absences in excess of 10% of the sessions scheduled may reduce the grade for the course. A student is expected to account for absences, preferably in advance, to the instructor of the course and, at the discretion of the instructor, to promptly make up the work missed. Divisions or departments may have class attendance policies of a more specific nature within this general policy statement. Each instructor shall provide detailed policies and procedures in writing to each student at the beginning of the course. Students who miss classes while serving as jurors will not be penalized for such absences but will be required to make up class work missed as a result of jury service.