Degree and Certificate Requirements
Statement of General Education
A commitment to excellence in higher education for the community it serves is a core value of West Shore Community College. The College recognizes the importance of high quality, learning-centered, education and training opportunities, which will result in meaningful roles for the student in life, work, and society. Basic to these roles is the student’s ability to be productive through the acquisition of appropriate skills and to be adaptable in a changing, complex society.
As such, the College will create a general education program that conforms to accreditation guidelines and is designed to provide students with a broad yet integrated and coherent introduction to the skills, knowledge, and insights that are the foundation of a college education, the basis for career development, and the motivation for lifelong learning. Within this framework, and across programs and disciplines, the intent is to cultivate in each student the ability to communicate clearly, think critically and creatively, behave professionally and ethically, and adapt to our changing, complex, multicultural, and global world. The College will maintain a current listing of general education requirements for the associate degree and certificates and make them publically available to students and the community.
Further, the College recognizes the dignity, importance and uniqueness of each student, and therefore endeavors to provide the necessary opportunities for students to achieve social and personal goals. To this end, the College strives to create an environment conducive not only to intellectual growth but also to offer cultural and social experiences that contribute to the development of an educated individual.
Associate Degree Requirements
The College grants the degrees of Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences and Associate of General Studies to those students who have completed the following programmatic requirements for graduation:
- Maintained a 2.0 GPA average (or the equivalent in programs that are Pass/Fail) and have earned less than a C in no more than two courses required for the degree.
- Taken a minimum of 15 passing credits from the College at the 100 level or above.
- Completion of the Application for Graduation
- Completion of all prescribed requirements for the degree.
- Completed the general education, residency, and competency requirements set forth in accreditation criteria and applicable state or federal regulation.
Specific requirements for and information on the various degrees offered at WSCC are contained within the Curriculum Guide.
One and Two Year Certificates
West Shore Community College offers one- and two-year certificates in a number of occupational areas. To receive a certificate, students must complete, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or greater (or the equivalent in sequences that are Pass/Fail), a minimum of 10 passing credits at WSCC for a one-year certificate and 15 passing credits for a two-year certificate. Students may not earn less than a C in more than two courses required for the certificate.
Occupational Competency
In order to receive a degree in an occupational program at West Shore Community College, students must take a specified job ready occupational competency test in their career field during the final semester of their program. Occupational program students are required to complete State-sanctioned competency/licensing tests. The occupational competency tests have been designed to measure student gains, as a result of their training at the post-secondary level at WSCC.
*Diplomas will not be distributed to students who have unpaid financial obligations to the College.
Classification of Students
Freshman
Fewer than 30 semester credits
Sophomore
30 or more semester credits
Full-time Student
Carrying 12 or more credits per semester (Veterans receiving educational benefits may have lower requirements for the summer semester)
Part-time Student
Carrying fewer than 12 credits per semester
Dean’s List
Full-time students earning a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher will be recognized on the Dean’s List published at the close of each semester. Also recognized on the Dean’s List are part-time students in the semester during which they accrue 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 semester credits provided that they meet the GPA requirement for their total cumulative GPA. High honors are awarded to graduating students who receive a GPA of 3.75 or higher, and honors are awarded to those whose GPA is 3.5 to 3.749. The GPA will be computed on the basis of credits attempted at West Shore only and will not include any credits earned at another college.
Developmental Courses
Credits earned from developmental courses, which are numbered 099 or below, are not applicable to graduation requirements nor are final grades used in the calculation of grade point averages.
Online Learning/Flexible Learning Options
West Shore provides learners with several alternative ways to take college credit courses. Because online learning courses require minimal on-campus presence, students with job and family responsibilities are able to take more courses than they could if their options were limited to traditional classes. Using technology, students can take classes from home or attend an off campus site that is closer to home. Courses from other colleges and universities are also available.
WSCC uses a variety of technologies to deliver courses. Some of our courses are delivered totally over the Internet. In this type of class, students log on from home to send and receive assignments, participate in virtual class discussions, and interact with other students as well (as the instructor) on class projects and participate in discussions. WSCC requires all learners enrolled in online courses to attend any scheduled mandatory on-campus or online orientation for an online course. The orientation will ensure that students are best prepared for this unique and exciting learning environment. Failure to attend scheduled mandatory orientation sessions may result in an Administrative Drop of the online course.
Hybrid classes use a combination of online and face-to-face instruction. For example, the lecture portion of a class will be delivered online and students will come to the campus for labs. Online learning courses have the same learning outcomes as on-campus courses and are completely transferable to other institutions. For current course offerings, look for the online learning opportunities page in the class schedule publication or on the internet at www.westshore.edu/home.php/academics/distance.
In addition, West Shore is a member of the Michigan Colleges Online. Many more courses are available to WSCC students through this organization. More information is available at the MCO’s website: www.michigancollegesonline.org.
Grading System
Grade Point Average
Grade points are used to determine scholastic standing. These points are computed by multiplying the appropriate grade points for the grade received in a course by the credits earned in that course. Thus, a 3 credit course with a grade of A would earn 12 grade points (3 x 4 grade points).
The total grade points accumulated are then divided by the number of credits attempted, and the result is the cumulative grade point average (GPA). Each time a course is taken, both the credit hours attempted and the grade points are included in computing the GPA. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to graduate.
Grade Definitions
| A |
4.0 grade points |
| A- |
3.7 grade points |
| B+ |
3.3 grade points |
| B |
3.0 grade points |
| B- |
2.7 grade points |
| C+ |
2.3 grade points |
| C |
2.0 grade points |
| C- |
1.7 grade points |
| D+ |
1.3 grade points |
| D |
1.0 grade points |
| D- |
0.7 grade points |
| F |
0.0 grade points |
The following symbols denote a registration status and have no effect on accumulation of credits or on GPA
W (Withdrawal)
Indicates the student elected to withdraw from a course after the drop period. Withdrawals are complete, only after the student files the necessary form for withdrawal with Student Services. Students who are considering withdrawing from classes should keep in mind that the “W” grade will impact their required academic progress and that when transferring some institutions recognize “W” grades as grades of “F”.
I (Incomplete)
Indicates that for a justifiable reason the student failed to complete the requirements for the course within the scheduled time.
Incompletes are granted only when mutual agreement between instructor and student is reached. Forms for setting forth terms of agreement for course completion are available in the instructional Dean’s offices. A copy of the completed agreement must be filed in the Student Services Office. Incompletes will convert to an “F” grade if terms of the agreement are not fulfilled.
AU (Audit)
Indicates a desire to participate in a class without receiving credit. Once a course is started on an audit basis, the student may change to a credit classification anytime within the first half of the scheduled class meetings. Also, students who initially register for credit may at any time within the first half of the scheduled class meetings change to an audit classification. Tuition and fees for audit are the same as for credit. Financial aid cannot be used to cover the cost of courses taken on an audit basis.
Waiver of Course Work
If the student wants only to have course work waived, no fee will be assessed and no credit will be recorded on the transcript. Having a course waived will not reduce the number of credits required for an associate degree.
Late Registration
The College has determined that late registration is detrimental to the academic success of students. Historically, research shows that students who arrive late into courses already in progress are less successful than those who begin on time. These students may also disrupt the classes they join, and, in order to catch up, may make unrealistic demands upon themselves and their instructors.
If a course has met once, students are not permitted to enroll in that course. For online courses, students may not enroll after the mandatory orientation has taken place. Students with a current schedule may register for courses that have already begun if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Same course section switch, or
- Dean of Instruction approval for documented extenuating circumstances
Dropping Courses
During the first two weeks of each semester, students are allowed to drop courses. To officially drop a course, students must utilize my.westshore.edu and drop the course online. There is no fee for dropping courses. The policy for refunding tuition and fees can be found under the Cost section of this catalog. Students who stop attending class but do not officially drop the course will most likely receive a grade of “F” at the end of the semester.
Students who do not attend any of their courses during the first two weeks of class, may be administratively dropped from their course(s) and will receive a full refund for tuition and fees (except for the Registration Fee). However, students should personally drop their courses through my.westshore.edu.to ensure their courses are successfully dropped before the refund deadline. Students that are not reported for an administrative drop, but did not attend their courses, may still be responsible for any tuition and fees due to the college.
Withdrawal
Students have the option of withdrawing from a course through the eleventh week of fall and/or winter semesters; the fifth week for summer semester. The student must file a withdrawal form in the Student Services Office. A designator of “W” will be placed on the academic transcript next to the course(s) from which the student has withdrawn. Students who stop attending class but fail to withdraw officially will receive the grade earned for the course(s) at the end of the semester. Student with documented extenuating circumstances, also have the opportunity to request a withdrawal after the published withdrawal deadline. Late Withdrawal Request Forms are available in Student Services.
Graduation Requirements
Associate Degree (AA, AS, AAAS, and AGS) Requirements
Students should familiarize themselves with degree and graduation requirements more fully outlined in WSCC’s Catalog, available online at www.westshore.edu. Briefly, these include the following:
- Students must complete at least 60 passing credits in courses numbered 100 or higher.
- No more than 12 credits can be earned through AP or CLEP.
- A minimum of 15 credits with an overall grade point average of a 2.0 or higher (or the equivalent in a Pass/Fail sequence) at WSCC or through the MCO.
- Students may not earn less than a “C” in more than two courses required for their degree.
- NOTE: Nursing and Criminal Justice have different requirements. Students should see student manuals for graduation requirements for these programs.
- Students must take any required exams, such as NOCTI, NCLEX, MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate) and MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) appropriate to specific fields. These occupational competency tests are designed to measure student gains as a result of training at the postsecondary level at WSCC.
- Students should apply for graduation once registered for the final semester of the program. This will confirm they have completed all requirements and are ready for graduation at the end of the semester and will allow for any needed schedule changes. The graduation application deadline is no later than the second Friday of the semester in which they intend to graduate.
- Students must complete an application for graduation. In order to receive a diploma or request transcripts, all outstanding balances must be paid in full.
Certificate Requirements
Certificates prepare students to enter employment in a variety of fields. Most can be completed in one year. In addition, most certificates at WSCC are in part or in whole the first year of an associate’s degree. Requirements for certificates include:
- Courses may be taken through Michigan Colleges Online (MCO).
- A minimum of 10 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or greater (or the equivalent in a Pass/Fail sequence) at WSCC or MCO.
- Students may not earn less than a “C” in more than two courses required for the certificate.
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