Three categories of academic status exist: academic good standing, academic probation, and academic suspension. Although students will usually receive notification of academic status, such notice is not a prerequisite to students being placed in one of the above categories. Students have the responsibility to ascertain their academic status prior to the beginning of the next enrollment period.

There are three categories of academic status: academic good standing, academic probation and academic suspension. Students will receive official notification of academic status. Such notice is not a prerequisite to students being placed in one of the above categories. Students have the responsibility to ascertain their academic status prior to the beginning of the next enrollment period. Specific BPCC programs may have higher academic status rules.

Academic Probation: Students who have attempted a minimum of 15 semester hours will be placed on academic probation whenever their adjusted cumulative grade point averages fall below 2.000. Once on academic probation, a student will remain on probation (as long as each semester average is at least a 2.000) until the adjusted cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or higher is achieved.

Once an adjusted cumulative GPA of 2.000 or higher is achieved, a student will be removed from probation.

Definitions:
Quality Hours: Quality hours are those credit hours for which a student registers and receives a grade of A-F. Credit courses for which a student receives a grade of “P,” “CR,” and “S” are included in earned hours. Courses for which students register, but later withdraw with a grade of “W” are included in attempted hours.

Cumulative Quality Hours: Cumulative quality hours are all hours for which a student has registered and received a final grade of A-F at the college as well as all quality hours accepted in transfer (including hours that would have been accepted had the student not earned a grade of F).

Adjusted Quality Hours: Adjusted quality hours are those credit hours for which a student registers and receives a grade of A-F at BPCC, excluding those credit hours removed from the calculation of the student’s grade point average through those credit hours removed through Academic Amnesty.

Adjusted Cumulative Grade Point Average (adj cum GPA): This GPA is adjusted to exclude those quality hours and grades which have been removed from the calculation of a student’s grade point average through BPCC’s repeat/delete policy and/or Academic Amnesty. This adjusted cumulative grade point average will include grades earned at BPCC and is used to determine a student’s academic status.

Students who are on academic probation who have attempted a minimum of 24 semester hours and who fail to achieve a semester grade point average of at least a 2.000 will be suspended for one semester. If a student is suspended at the conclusion of a spring semester, the student is suspended for the following fall semester. If a student is suspended at the conclusion of a fall semester, the student is suspended for the following spring semester.

A student who has been academically suspended from BPCC at the conclusion of the spring semester may attend BPCC summer without appeal. If the summer grades raise the student’s adjusted cumulative grade point average to a 2.000 or higher, the suspension for the fall is rescinded. If the student’s adjusted cumulative grade point average is not at or above 2.000 at the conclusion of the summer session(s), the academic suspension remains in effect for the fall semester.

A student who transfers to BPCC with an adjusted cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or higher as defined by the last institution attended will be admitted in good standing. A transfer student with less than a 2.000 adjusted cumulative grade point average will be admitted on probation. If the student earns a semester grade point average of 2.000 or higher during the first semester of BPCC enrollment, the student’s academic status will be based on the adjusted cumulative grade point average. If the student fails to achieve a semester grade point average of 2.000 or higher, the student will be suspended for one semester.

If a student wishes to appeal an academic suspension from another college or university, the student must confer with the institution from which he/she has been suspended.

Students expelled from another college or university for disciplinary reasons are not considered to be in good standing; therefore, these students will not be allowed to enroll in Bossier Parish Community College.

A student who is under academic, attendance, or disciplinary suspension/expulsion from another college or university will not be admitted to BPCC until the interval of suspension/expulsion has elapsed.

A student who has been suspended from BPCC may be considered for readmission in accordance with the following policies:

1. A student who is suspended for the first time for academic reasons must
   remain out of the College for one semester before being considered for
   readmission. After the lapse of one regular semester on suspension, the
   student will be readmitted to BPCC on probation.
   
   
2. A student who has been suspended twice for academic reasons must remain
   out of BPCC for two regular semesters, before applying for readmission.
   After the lapse of two semesters, the student will be re-admitted to BPCC on
   probation.
   
   
3. A student who has been dropped for academic reasons may not obtain credit
   towards a BPCC degree with credits earned at another institution during the
   period of ineligibility to enroll at BPCC. A student who has been suspended
   from another institution for academic reasons may be admitted on probation
   to BPCC at the end of that institution's period of suspension, provided all
   other admissions criteria are met.

All academic appeals must be lodged with the proper appellate authority within 45 calendar days from the date the semester ends. Failure to appeal within the 45 day period will result in the waiver of the student's rights to appeal the decision.

A student who believes that his/her academic standing (probation or suspension) does not reflect the quality or quantity of effort put forth, or which is the result of extenuating circumstances, may appeal his/her standing to the Academic Admissions and Appeals Committee. The student must write a letter to this committee giving the reasons why the academic standing should be re-evaluated. The committee will hold a meeting at which the student's written appeal will be presented. The student will be notified of the committee's decision. (NOTE: 45 day limit)

A student who believes that a grade which has been recorded in a course is not accurate may appeal the grade (NOTE: 45 day limit). In the academic appeals process, the student will adhere to the following procedure:

Appealing: A student has 45 calendar days from the end of a semester (beginning of the last official day of the semester) to appeal a grade received. After 45 calendar days, a student forfeits the appeal right.

1. A student consults the faculty member to see if an arrangement can be made regarding a disputed grade. The Student Academic Appeal Form (available from the appropriate dean) must be completed, signed, and taken to the faculty member.
   
   
2. If no satisfactory agreement can be reached, the student may consult the appropriate dean. The Student Academic Appeal Form is taken to the dean.
   
   
3. If the outcome is not satisfactory to the student, it is the student’s responsibility, if further appeal is desired, to appeal to the College Appeal’s Committee. The Registrar will call a meeting of the College standing Committee on Appeals. The committee will hold a meeting at which time the Student Academic Appeal Form will be presented. The committee may direct that the grade be changed.
   

A student enrolled in BPCC's academic programs who has not enrolled in a college, including BPCC or a university, for three consecutive years may elect to deny once and only once all academic course work attempted at BPCC prior to the three-year period. This work will appear on the student's official academic transcript but will not be used in computation of the student’s grade point average. Students should be aware that other colleges and universities may not recognize academic amnesty declared at BPCC.

The student must apply for and declare academic amnesty of credit courses in the Office of Admissions and Registrar at the time of application for admission to BPCC or within sixty days of the first date of enrollment at BPCC. A decision to declare academic amnesty is final and irreversible.

BPCC does not recognize academic amnesty declared by students at other colleges and universities. Academic amnesty is granted to students enrolled in BPCC's academic programs. Students who have declared academic amnesty are not eligible for naming to the College’s Chancellor's or Dean's Lists.

Students assume full responsibility for awareness of all graduation criteria and for the appropriateness of their credentials applicable toward satisfaction of all requirements. No associate degree, academic certificate, or technical competency area shall be conferred by BPCC until the procedural and academic requirements listed below are met. The following are the criteria for, and conditions of, graduation from BPCC:

1. Graduating students must be currently enrolled at BPCC. The student must complete the Application for Graduation with an academic advisor during the last semester enrolled. Any student who submits the Application for Graduation to the dean of the appropriate division is automatically enrolled in GRAD9999, the graduation fee. Students who previously applied for graduation but who did not graduate must file another application the semester they plan to complete requirements.
2. Complete an order for a cap and gown during the last semester enrolled.
3. Pay the non-refundable graduation fee, which covers items related to graduation which include but are not limited to: the cost of the diploma, the diploma cover, and the cap and gown.
4. Take a survey during the last semester enrolled.
5. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the associate degree must be earned at BPCC and within the last five (5) years of attendance.
6. The student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 (on a 4.000 system) as well as a 2.000 average in the major field.
7. In order to graduate, students may not be on academic probation or suspension.
8. In order to obtain an associate degree, academic certificate, or technical competency area, a student must have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000, which reflects twice as many quality points as hours attempted on all official College transcripts.
9. Preparatory courses are not acceptable as electives toward an associate degree or certificate program at BPCC. These include, but are not limited to, ALHT 101, CIS 099, ENGL 099, MATH 097, MATH 098, MATH 099, READ 099, EDUC 099. The final determination of the applicability of courses toward completion of academic certification and associate degrees will be made by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or his designee.
10. During the semester in which a student completes all requirements for graduation, a candidate's academic record must be evaluated for compliance with College procedural and academic requirements by the appropriate College personnel, and a candidate's final approval must be made by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or his designee.
11. Community education, adult education, and correspondence courses are not applicable toward an associate degree or academic certificate.
12. All graduating students must file the Application for Graduation by the date listed in the official College calendar. Students may pursue only one associate degree at a time while enrolled at BPCC.
13. Students are not permitted to participate in commencement ceremonies until all academic and procedural graduation requirements have been met including the payment of all money owed to the College.
14. BPCC reserves the right to determine appropriate academic competencies in the General Education core in all curricula.
15. Students must make a “C” or higher in all courses which satisfy graduation requirements.

Bossier Parish Community College recognizes experiential learning in accordance with the policies established by the College pursuant to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Policy #1.023. The Bossier Parish Community College policy on experiential learning and Prior Learning Assessment is contained in appropriate sections of this catalog.

See also: Prior Learning Assessment Matrix

(excluding those earned through Tech Prep agreements)

"Credit examinations" are administered in some subject areas for the benefit of the student who believes he/she has already attained the level of knowledge required in the course(s).

The procedure for registering for credit by examination is as follows:

1. Regularly enrolled students (students currently enrolled in other courses) in good academic standing may register for credit by examination in any approved course. Credit by examination will be available only to students pursuing a BPCC associate degree, academic certificate, or certificate of completion. No examination can be given to a student who has not properly registered for the examination.
2. Permission to take a credit examination in a given course will be denied those students currently enrolled in the course, those who have previously attempted the course for credit at any college, those who have earned credit in a higher sequence course, those previously taking a credit examination in the same course, or those who did not receive approval from the dean responsible for the course.
3. The student’s registration record will reflect the credit by exam course(s) for which the student registered. These courses will not, however, be added into the total semester hour load of the student for determining “full-time” status.
4. Students interested in earning credit by examination should contact the appropriate dean or the counseling office. Examinations will be given according to the times assigned by the dean.
5. Successful completion of an examination will be recorded on the permanent academic record as "credit by examination" with a grade of "S." Grades of "S" are not used to compute the grade point average (no quality points awarded).
6. The hours of credit will not be used in the computation of grade point averages or considered in determining academic hours, probation, or suspension. In addition, credits earned by examination may not be used to reduce residence requirements.
7. Credit by examination will not be awarded for a course which was previously pursued beyond the midpoint of a semester by the student.
8. Credits earned by examination will not be placed on a BPCC transcript until 12 semester hours have been earned in residence at BPCC.
9. COSTS: Students will be assessed $24 for each challenge exam taken.
10. Credits through examination, in combination with other credit type examinations (CLEP, DSST, etc.), are limited to twenty-one (21) semester hours on a student’s degree or certificate plan.
11. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Defense Association for Non-Traditional Educational Services (DSST) are given at BPCC. Students pursuing academic certificates or associate degrees at BPCC are not allowed more than 21 hours CLEP/DSST credits towards graduation.

Bossier Parish Community College Credit Examinations (earned through Tech Prep agreements)

1. Tech Prep students may register for credit by examination in any approved course. No examination can be given to a student who has not properly registered for the examination. Permission to take a credit examination in a given course will be denied those students who have previously attempted the course for credit, those who have unsuccessfully challenged the course through examination, those who have earned credit in a higher sequence course, or those who did not receive approval from College Tech Prep representative (currently the Executive Dean of Instruction). Students will receive academic credit for courses successfully challenged after earning twelve (12) hours of academic credit at BPCC.
2. Each credit by exam will have a section number of "00" and will be entered on the student’s registration form or added during the "add-period."
3. The student’s registration record will reflect the credit by exam course(s) for which the student registered: these courses will not, however, be added into the total semester hour load of the student.
4. Examinations will be given according to the times assigned by the appropriate dean.
5. Successful completion of an examination will be recorded on the permanent academic record as "credit by examination" with a grade of "S". Grades of "S" are not used to compute the grade point average and are not used in determining "full-time" status. Should a student fail to take or pass the credit examination, there will be no entry made on the student's academic record.
6. Credits through this type of examination are normally limited to twenty-one (21) semester hours.

The College Board's College Level Examination Program (CLEP®) exams are offered through the ACT Center located in D-203. Call the ACT Center at 318-678-6002 for more information and to schedule an appointment or visit our webpage at www.bpcc.edu/actcenter.

CompTIA's A+ and Network+ exams are offered through the ACT Center located in D-203. As part of the Education to Career (E2C) Jobs+ program, BPCC students qualify for substantial discounts in the cost of testing. Call the ACT Center at 318-678-6002 for more information and to schedule an appointment or visit our webpage at www.bpcc.edu/actcenter.

Prometric's DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTT) exams are offered through the ACT Center located in D-203. Call the ACT Center at 678-6002 for more information and to schedule an appointment or visit our webpage at www.bpcc.edu/actcenter.

The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) exams are offered through the ACT Center located in D-203. Call the ACT Center at 678-6002 for more information and to schedule an appointment or visit our webpage at www.bpcc.edu/actcenter.

Credit for military educational experiences is given to honorably discharged veterans. BPCC may allow credit for courses based on documented military experiences. BPCC does not give credit for First Aid (HLPE 221) based on military service. A copy of the veteran's DD214 and other military records should be taken to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation to determine the credit allowed. The maximum number of hours that may be granted from the military as college equivalent course work is 21. Students must be pursuing a BPCC associate degree or academic certificate. The student receives a grade of "S," which goes towards earned hours on the official BPCC transcript.

Up to 18 hours may be awarded to a student who successfully passes the Certified Professional Secretary examination, which is administered by the Institute for Certifying Secretaries. For information, students may contact the Division of Business and Computer Science at 318-678-6011.

Bossier Parish Community College maintains articulation agreements with Northwest & North Central Tech Prep Consortia, which allows high school students to get advanced credit for courses by taking proficiency examinations. As many as 21 semester hours may be earned toward an associate degree. These hours include 9 semester hours in general education and as many as 14 semester hours in technical courses. Students must earn 12 hours in residence at BPCC prior to having credit earned through proficiency examinations placed on the BPCC transcript.

BPCC faculty have formulated challenge examinations for selected courses. Students wishing to earn credit by examination should contact the appropriate dean for the regulations, policies, and procedures.

Students who attain satisfactory scores on the Advanced Placement Examinations administered by the College Board are eligible to receive credit on the basis of such tests. The student who submits a score of four or five to the Admissions/Registrar’s Office is given credit for the appropriate course(s). A score of three is referred to the appropriate academic department of the College for a decision regarding credit. Bossier Parish Community College students must complete one regular semester of enrollment in residence prior to being awarded AP credit. Students may earn up to a maximum of 30 semester hours in this manner and attain sophomore standing. These examinations are given at high schools which participate in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students must be pursuing an academic certificate or associate degree to receive Advanced Placement credit and must earn a minimum of 12 semester hours in residence at BPCC prior to having AP credit indicated on a BPCC transcript.

This policy provides for Paramedics who received their training prior to January, 2001 through an institution other than a college or vocational school an opportunity to earn an associate degree in EMT Paramedic by successfully completing a “challenge exam.”

To be eligible to take the exam:

1. The paramedic must have worked in the field of emergency medicine at the level of paramedic for at least 2 years.
2. The paramedic must have successfully completed 18 semester hours of academic college credit in the paramedic curriculum at Bossier Parish Community College.

Prior to taking the exam:

1. The paramedic must provide the following documentation to the Dean of Science and Allied Health:
   1. Current copy of Emergency Medical Technician National Registry card
   2. Current copy of the State of Louisiana Paramedic card
2. Completion of the BPCC Challenge Exam Registration Form and payment of a testing fee.

Successful completion of the examination, minimum score 70%, will be recorded on a BPCC academic transcript as "credit by examination." Credits will not be transcribed until the student has completed all other course work in the Paramedic curriculum at Bossier Parish Community College. Students will receive 36 semester hours of credit. Students who are not successful may attempt the exam on one additional occasion.

Paramedics wishing to pursue the associate degree in EMT: Paramedic must complete at least 18 semester hours in residence at Bossier Parish Community College. Students cannot use remedial level classes to meet residency requirements. Students receiving “credit by examination” for paramedic classes may not use additional challenge exam credits to earn the required residence hours.

Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) is among more than 500 colleges and universities that are involved in assessing students' prior learning for academic credit. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), an educational association founded in 1974 to promote the acceptance of the awarding of college credit for experiential learning, has led the way in developing and implementing assessment techniques. BPCC uses the academic guidelines developed by CAEL and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in awarding credit.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the process of earning credit for college-level learning acquired through work, training, volunteering, or personal experiences. The process discussed here is portfolio assessment of college-level learning acquired through work, training, volunteering, or personal experiences.

BPCC's Portfolio Assessment Process

1. A student interested in portfolio assessment must contact the Division of Accelerated Learning at 318-678-6050 or priorlearning@bpcc.edu for an advising appointment.
2. The student enrolls in the Portfolio Development course.
3. Upon completion of the course, the student receives a "Certificate of Completion" which must be included in the portfolio.
4. The student compiles and submits his or her Portfolio through an electronic format, currently I-Webfolio, or a hard copy.
5. The student must notify the Division of Accelerated Learning that his or her portfolio is ready for Format Review. Format Review means that the portfolio is in the appropriate format for consideration of assessment.
6. The Division of Accelerated Learning notifies the student if the Portfolio format is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If the format of the Portfolio is unsatisfactory, the student may request a checklist of missing required items from the Division of Accelerated Learning. Notification that the format is acceptable does not imply that credit will be awarded based on portfolio content.
7. If the portfolio is certified ready for assessment, the student pays the $30 per credit hour fee for evaluation(s) to the Business Office. For example, the fee for a three-hour course assessment would be $90.
8. The student remits a receipt to the Division of Accelerated Learning. To start the portfolio assessment process, the Dean assigns a trained credentialed assessor.   When the assessor receives the portfolio (s), the assessment period begins.
9. The Portfolio will then be assessed by the appropriate credentialed faculty member based on course learning outcomes. During the assessment process, the assessor may contact the student for clarification or to request additional documentation and information by a deadline determined by the assessor.
10. For each course assessed, the faculty portfolio assessor sends the "Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Portfolio Summary of Evidence Form" and the portfolio, if hard copy, to the PLA Coordinator, who forwards this signed evidence form to the Executive Dean of Instruction.
11. The Executive Dean sends the student a letter stating if credit is recommended or not recommended with a photocopy of the "Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Portfolio Summary of Evidence Form."
12. If the credit is not recommended, the student may initiate a one-time re-assessment of the portfolio by contacting the assessor or PLA Coordinator.
13. If credit is recommended, the Executive Dean forwards the original “Awarding of Credit” form to Admissions/Registrar's office with a copy of the student’s letter.
14. After earning 12 hours of BPCC resident credit, credit for coursework awarded through Portfolio assessment will be placed on the transcript under Prior Learning Experience category with “S” grade.

It is recommended that portfolios be submitted within one year after entering the undergraduate program in order to avoid unnecessary delays in meeting graduation requirements. Such delays may occur when the number of portfolio credits received is less than expected and additional coursework is required.

A student is strongly encouraged to submit his/her portfolio for format review as soon as possible after completing the Portfolio workshop. In compliance with appropriate policies and deadlines for graduation, portfolios submitted to receive credit to meet graduation requirements must be received by the following deadlines: