Academic Awards

MCC offers a wide range of programs of study leading to the associate in applied science degree, associate in arts degree, associate in science in nursing, certificate of achievement, and specialist diploma.

Associate in applied science degree (AAS)

The associate in applied science degree is awarded to a student completing the requirements of one of the career programs with a minimum of 96.0 quarter hours and a maximum of 110.0 quarter hours unless noted for accreditation purposes. An associate in applied science degree prepares the graduate for entry-level positions and is accepted by several four-year institutions under A-to-B transfer agreements.

Associate in arts degree (AA)

The associate in arts degree is awarded to students completing the requirements of the Liberal Arts/Academic Transfer programs. This degree parallels the work done in the first two years at a four-year institution.

Associate in science degree (AS)

The associate in science degree is an academic transfer degree awarded to students completing the courses required for the degree. This degree is generally transferable as the first two years at a baccalaureate program or in meeting the minimum requirements for entrance into a designated professional program of study.

Associate in science in nursing degree (ASN)

The associate in science in nursing degree is awarded to students completing the program requirements of the associate degree nursing program with a minimum of 108 credit hours and a maximum of 110.0 credit hours, unless noted for accreditation purposes. Graduates awarded this degree are eligible to take the NCLEX Exam for licensure as a registered nurse. Many of the required courses transfer to four-year institutions.

Certificate of achievement

The certificate of achievement is awarded to students upon successful completion of the requirements of one of the career programs with a minimum of 48.0 quarter hours and a maximum of 55.0 quarter hours.

Degree/certificate option

The degree/certificate option is a specialization within a program of study. A diploma is awarded for the degree/certificate not the option.

Specialist diplomas

Specialist diplomas represent a structured sequence of courses that may be completed in a relatively short period. In some cases, the entire module may be completed in a single quarter of study; in other cases, two or three quarters may be needed because of course prerequisites or other factors.

Credit Awarded As An Alternative To Attending Formal Classes

MCC may grant academic credit for the following:

• AP Program – high school advanced placement credit opportunity;
• credit for knowledge acquired through work experience;
• credit for a military service transcript;
• demonstration of proficiency in an MCC course through success on a course exam(s);
• International Baccalaureate (IB) – international high school credit opportunity; or
• successful completion of national standardized exams (CLEP and DANTES).

Limitations:

• Credit granted does not apply toward fulfillment of MCC's residency requirement for graduation.
• Credit for documented work experience is only available for classes listed in the current college catalog.
• Work experience credit is not available for any course for which a proficiency exam exists.
• Credit earned through documented work experience or course proficiency examinations are generally not transferable to another institution on a course-by-course basis.

Students with questions regarding awarding credit via an alternative to attending classes should contact an advisor at 402-457-2400.

AP – Advanced Placement Program^® high school credit opportunity

The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Program provides high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses and exams and earn college credit or advanced placement. MCC may award college credit in fulfillment of program requirements. For consideration of college credit, students need to have official exam score reports mailed to:

Metropolitan Community College
Attn: Records office
P.O. Box 3777
Omaha, NE 68103-0777

For more information about the AP Program, visit www.collegeboard.com/apstudents.

High school advanced placement through Secondary Partnerships

This partnership effort between secondary and postsecondary institutions is designed to prepare high school graduates to continue their postsecondary education in technically oriented careers and to enhance school-to-career transition. When course curriculum at the high school level matches college course curriculum, an articulation agreement is signed that allows for advanced placement into higher-level college courses. Students may be able to receive advanced placement through articulated courses by meeting the following requirements:

• enrolling at MCC within two years of high school graduation;
• obtaining a grade of B or better in the course(s) to be considered for advanced placement; and
• submitting an application with an official high school transcript to:
  Metropolitan Community College
  Attn: Secondary Partnerships
  P.O. Box 3777
  Omaha, NE 68103-0777

For more information, visit www.mccneb.edu/secondary.

Credit for learning acquired through work experience

Credit may be granted for learning acquired through work experience that parallels a student's program at MCC. Credit is not granted for courses in which a course proficiency test is available. Students should contact Student Services for information. A fee is charged.

Credit for military service

Individuals who have completed basic training and other training received during their military service may be eligible to receive college credit. Official military transcripts may be mailed to:

Metropolitan Community College
Attn: Records office
P.O. Box 3777
Omaha, NE 68103-0777

Students may contact the Records office at 402-457-2352 for information regarding procedures.

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

MCC may award college credit in fulfillment of program requirements. Students are encouraged to take subject exams. For consideration of college credit, students need to have an official exam score report mailed to:

Metropolitan Community College
Attn: Records office
P.O. Box 3777
Omaha, NE 68103-0777

Course proficiency exams

Students wishing to demonstrate course proficiency may challenge selected credit courses by taking a proficiency examination. Students must be in good standing, be currently enrolled at MCC, not be enrolled in the course being challenged, and cannot have completed the course previously with a grade. A fee for each proficiency examination is payable at any MCC location prior to testing. Students should contact Student Services for information and application procedures. Credit granted may apply toward the students' current listed major only. Credit granted might not transfer to other institutions.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)

MCC may award specific course credit for subject examinations in fulfillment of current program requirements. For consideration of college credit, students need to have an official national exam score report mailed to:

Metropolitan Community College
Attn: Records office
P.O. Box 3777
Omaha, NE 68103-0777

International Baccalaureate (IB) program high school credit opportunity

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum leading to exams for students between the age of 16 and 19. MCC may award college credit in fulfillment of program requirements. Credit may be awarded by reports sent from the national IB office to the Records office after a student has transferred to MCC.

For consideration of college credit, students need to have an official exam score report mailed to:

Metropolitan Community College
Attn: Records office
P.O. Box 3777
Omaha, NE 68103-0777

For more information about the IB program, visit www.ibo.org.

Dean's List

MCC celebrates students who have completed coursework with excellence. Outstanding academic achievement is recognized through the Dean's List each quarter. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must:

• complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in graded 1000-level or above classes;
• complete at least six credit hours in 1000-level or above classes for the quarter in which they are qualifying; and
• achieve at least a 3.5 GPA for the quarter in which they are qualifying.

Students receive email notification from the vice president for Academic Affairs, and the student's name is publicized on the MCC website and sent to select newspapers.

Grading System

• A – Excellent The student has demonstrated outstanding proficiency in mastering course objectives (4 points per credit in computation of grade point average).
• B – Above Average The student has demonstrated above average proficiency in mastering course objectives (3 points per credit in computation of grade point average).
• C – Average The student has demonstrated average proficiency in mastering courseobjectives (2 points per credit in computation of grade point average).
• D – Below Average The student has demonstrated below average but passing proficiency in mastering course objectives (1 point per credit in computation of grade point average).
• F – Failing The student has not demonstrated a minimum passing proficiency in mastering course objectives (0 points per credit in computation of grade point average).
• FX – Failure related to non-attendance (0 points per credit in computation of grade point average).
• I – Incomplete Due to extenuating circumstances, students may be given an extension of time to complete course objectives. Assignment of I grades is a faculty prerogative and is issued when students who have completed the majority of the course requirements are unable to complete the remainder due to unusual or extenuating circumstances. An I grade must be made up approximately three weeks prior to the end of the next quarter or it becomes an F. (Does not count in computation of grade point average.)
• P – Pass A P is an indication that the student has completed the coursework satisfactorily. It is used for developmental courses and other courses at the discretion of the College. (Does not count in the computation of grade point average.)
• R – Re-enroll The student has made satisfactory progress and should re-enroll until course objectives are completed. R is used for developmental courses only. (Does not count in computation of grade point average.)
• V – Audit An audit (no credit) does not count in computation of a grade point average. Audit requests may only be submitted during the first week of class and are processed during the second week. An audit is not an option for online classes.
• W – Withdrawal A W is an indication of an action requested by the student. The student must officially withdraw from a course prior to the last day to drop classes. The student may drop via My Services or call Registration to officially withdraw. A W may not be changed to a grade. (Does not count in the computation of grade point average.)
• Z – Unreported grade A Z indicates that a grade has not been reported by the faculty member. (Does not count in computation of grade point average.)

Grade point average

Students' grade point averages (GPA) are determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits attempted in those courses that count toward students' grade point averages.

To calculate a GPA:
grade value x credit hours completed = grade points

Example:

Take the total number of grade points (30) and divide by total hours completed (16.5): GPA = 1.82.

Note: Actions of R, P, W, V, Z, and Q do not apply toward the GPA but do appear in attempted hours.

Auditing a course

Students who wish to attend a course without taking examinations or receiving credit for a course may request an audit from an instructor during the first week of class only. Students who audit a class pay the regular tuition rate and fees. Audited courses do not count toward graduation requirements nor do they satisfy prerequisite requirements for other courses.

Courses that are eligible for audit are determined by the appropriate academic dean; some courses may not be available for audit. Online courses may not be audited. An audit student may not change from audit to credit status once the course has started.

Audited courses are not considered when establishing the full- or part-time status of a student receiving financial aid or veteran's benefits.

Repeat of a course

Students may repeat a course in which they did not receive at least a C grade. Both grades remain on the permanent record; the latest grade is used to compute the GPA. Courses may not be repeated for credit if the final grade was a C or better unless approved through the academic dean. Students may audit a course in which they received a grade of C or better.

Grade appeals

Students who wish to appeal a grade or other course matters need to follow the appeal procedure listed below. The appeal process for course grades or other matters must be initiated no later than the end of the quarter (last class day) following the quarter in which the course was completed.

The appeal process begins when a student writes a letter to or emails the instructor (first level of appeal). The instructor must respond to the student in writing, and the instructor may contact the appropriate academic dean for assistance to ensure resolution. If the student is dissatisfied with the appeal at any level, the student must appeal in writing to the next level:

• 1st level: instructor
• 2nd level: appropriate academic dean
• 3rd level: vice president for Academic Affairs

Academic amnesty

Students who wish to petition for academic amnesty (elimination of a course(s) from a previous quarter), must meet the below provisions. The amnesty process begins when a student meets with an academic advisor to complete the petition. The petition requests the elimination of up to two quarters of students' classes from the computation of their GPA.

• Academic amnesty can be granted only one time and is not reversible.
• Students must have successfully completed a minimum of 24.0 credit hours at 1000- or 2000-level MCC classes with a minimum GPA of 2.50 after the most recent quarter being petitioned for amnesty.
• Academic amnesty is applied to D and F grades only, which are eliminated from GPA calculation and hours attempted. Courses in which students received an A, B, or C grade continue to be included in students' overall GPAs and are exempt from academic amnesty.
• Students' permanent records (transcripts) reflect the original grade(s) received. Original grades are marked with a pound sign (#) on students' transcripts but are not included in the GPA calculation.

NOTE: Academic amnesty has no bearing on financial aid eligibility as all quarters, including those for which academic amnesty is granted, must be considered.

Graduation Guidelines

The requirements for graduation at MCC are those specified in the College catalog the year students first enrolled. Students may elect to meet the requirements stated in a later catalog if they attended during that catalog year. Students who do not complete program requirements within four years are subject to the current catalog or any preceding catalog within four years if they attended during that catalog year.

Course prerequisites and/or the need for developmental work in English, math, reading, and/or science may extend the time necessary for completion of a degree, certificate, or specialist diploma. Students must satisfy course prerequisites as specified in the current College catalog even if graduating under the provisions of an earlier catalog.

To graduate with honors, students must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above in their program of study.

All students must submit a graduation application to receive a degree, certificate, or specialist diploma. There is a graduation application fee of $25 (non-refundable) per graduation application for certificates and associate degrees. There is no fee for a specialist diploma application. Deadlines to file a graduation application are as follows:

• Fall quarter ................ Nov. 1
• Winter quarter ........... Feb. 1
• Spring quarter ........... April 1
• Summer quarter ........ July 1

At MCC, graduation occurs at the end of each quarter and denotes the completion of a program of study. Associate degrees, certificates, and specialist diplomas are mailed approximately four weeks after the end of each quarter to qualifying students.

The MCC Graduation Commencement Ceremony is held annually to recognize students who have graduated or will graduate during the current academic year (Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters). Specialist diploma recipients are not eligible to participate in the annual commencement ceremony.

Degrees: Associate in applied science, associate in arts, associate in science, or associate in science in nursing

To apply and be eligible for graduation with an associate degree, students must have:

• earned a GPA of at least 2.0 in all studies that are applicable toward graduation from a program of study and be in good academic standing;
• successfully completed all program requirements encompassing a minimum of 96.0 credit hours as outlined in the College catalog; program requirements include successful completion of a minimum of 24.0 credit hours in residence at MCC or enrollment in a approved statewide initiative program with MCC designated as the home institution;
• resolved all College financial obligations and returned all library and College materials; and
• completed a graduation application form with payment and appropriate signatures and submitted it by the application deadline to:
  
  Metropolitan Community College
  Attn: Records office
  P.O. Box 3777
  Omaha, NE 68103-0777

Certificate of achievement

To be eligible for graduation with a certificate of achievement, students must have:

• earned a GPA of at least 2.0 in all studies attempted and applicable toward graduation from a program of study and be in good academic standing;
• successfully completed all course requirements of a program of study encompassing a minimum of 48.0 credit hours as outlined in the College catalog with a minimum of 15 credit hours in residence at MCC;
• resolved all College financial obligations and returned all library and College materials; and
• completed a graduation application form with payment and appropriate signatures and submitted it to the Records office at the address listed above.

Specialist diploma

Designed for the currently employed person seeking job-relevant career development, specialist diploma modules represent a structured sequence of courses that may be completed in a relatively short period. Diplomas range from a minimum of 24.0 quarter hours to a maximum of 36 quarter hours.

At least two-thirds of the credits leading to the specialist diploma must be completed at MCC, and a grade of C or better is required as well as to be in good academic standing.

Standards Of Academic Progress

Academic standards and alert system

To encourage satisfactory progress throughout quarters of enrollment, the College's academic progress policy establishes specific standards that must be met by all students enrolled in credit courses at MCC. If students are not making academic progress, the College may limit enrollment and course selection, if considered necessary. If students are on probation after an academic suspension or dismissal, the College may establish other special conditions under which the students may again enroll, including regular meetings with academic counselors and advisors, enrollment in developmental courses, participation in career development activities, and completion of assessment tests.

Note: Students receiving financial aid must also comply with the Financial Aid Standards of Progress. For more information, see Financial Aid on Standards Of Satisfactory Progress Requirements And Procedures.

Academic good standing: Meeting minimum GPA for credit hours completed. Intervention: None

Academic probation: Not meeting minimum GPA for credit hours completed. Intervention: Registration holds are placed on students' records. Students on probation must complete an online probation workshop prior to future registration. Students on probation for more than one quarter are required to meet with an academic advisor or counselor for registration. While on probation, students may have limits placed on the number of credit hours of enrollment and/or course selection.

Academic suspension: Students on probation who do not earn a GPA of at least 2.0 in their next quarter of enrollment (1000-level courses and above). Intervention: Students are placed on academic suspension. Students on academic suspension are denied enrollment for a period of one quarter and must apply for readmission and observation status.

Academic observation: Status when students return after suspension or dismissal. Intervention: Registration holds are placed on students' records. Students desiring to enroll after suspension or dismissal are required to meet with an academic counselor and request re-admission through a Student Services director, campus dean, or center executive director. If the request is granted, the director or dean places the student in academic observation status. The director or dean is authorized to impose reasonable restrictions on students' subsequent enrollment.

If students earn less than a 2.0 GPA for credits completed while in academic observation status (course 1000-level and above), they are placed on academic dismissal.

Academic dismissal: Dismissal may be permanent. The College reserves the right to deny enrollment to students on academic dismissal. Intervention. Registration holds are placed on students' records. Students on academic dismissal are not allowed to register or attend credit classes for one year. After an absence of one year, students on dismissal may apply for re-admission through a campus dean or center executive director.

Transfer Agreements

MCC works closely with many four-year institutions to develop agreements that assure smooth transfer of courses and degrees. There are four types of these articulation agreements:

1. Associate-to-Bachelor's (A-to-B) Agreements

Associate-to-Bachelor's Agreements provide for completion of an associate degree in the process of obtaining a bachelor's degree. Most, if not all, of the credits in the associate degree transfer to the four-year institution, often with the transfer student being awarded junior class standing. In order to take advantage of these agreements, students must complete the entire A-to-B curriculum and graduate from MCC.

2. Department/College-Based General Education Transfer Guides

General Education Transfer Guides list all of MCC's courses that satisfy four-year schools' general education requirements. Some institutions have an institution-wide general education requirement. Other institutions' general education requirements vary depending upon the student's department or major. The Department/College-Based General Education Transfer Guides list the specific general education courses required for a student's intended major.

Completing all of the general education courses that transfer to a specific department or college does not mean students graduate from MCC with an associate degree. Students can complete nearly one-half of a bachelor's degree at MCC and successfully transfer those classes toward a four-year degree.

3. Program-Based Transfer Guides

Program-Based Transfer Guides list the courses that satisfy admission requirements to specialized programs such as health or engineering. These guides contain both general education and major course requirements.

4. Course-by-Course Transfer Guides

Course-by-Course Transfer Guides list MCC courses that transfer to four-year institutions by identifying equivalent courses at the four-year institution. The guides are very useful if students desire to take a specific course at MCC for transfer to a four-year institution. To use the Course-by-Course Transfer Guides effectively, students need to know their specific four-year degree course requirements in order to determine if an equivalent transfer course is available at MCC.

Visit www.mccneb.edu/articulation for specific transfer agreement information.