Academic Information

Academic Calendar 

The College operates on a semester system with a Fall and Spring semester and Summer terms. The College calendar is published in the Catalog and Student Handbook and is available on the college’s web site.

View academic calendar

Courses are taught in face-to-face, online only or hybrid (which is a combination of both online and face-to-face instruction) modality,  the college reserves the right to change the method of instruction in the case of an emergency or other unforeseen event.  In the event the method of instruction is changed,  the college will notify students who are impacted by the change.

Academic Degrees and Certificates

The following academic degrees or certificates are offered upon successful completion of approved programs at the College. Students may also obtain an online degree and certificate through an online format https://germanna.libguides.com/online-pathways.

Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree (AA&S), awarded to students who complete requirements in specialized curricula such as: Business Administration, Education, General Studies, Liberal Arts, and Science. This degree is appropriate for those students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions after completing a program of study at Germanna.

Associate of Science (AS), awarded to students who complete requirements in Engineering. This degree is appropriate for those students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions after completing the Engineering program at Germanna.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS), awarded to students who complete major requirements in one of the occupational-technical curricula and may plan to obtain full-time employment upon graduation from Germanna.

Certificate (CERT), awarded to students who complete one of the approved non-degree curricula which are is usually less than two years in length.

Career Studies Certificate (CSC), awarded to students who complete one of the career studies programs. Career studies programs are developed and implemented in response to community needs when institutional resources permit. The College reserves the right to withdraw program offerings if there is not sufficient demand or for other appropriate reason.

Academic Honesty

The faculty of Germanna Community College recognizes that academic honesty is an integral factor in developing and sharing knowledge. We practice academic honesty in our classes and require academic honesty from our students. GCC students are expected to demonstrate complete honesty and integrity in the completion and presentation of all academic assignments and examinations. Students found guilty of cheating, plagiarism, or other dishonorable acts in academic work are subject to College disciplinary action. Academic penalty in the course is determined by the instructor.

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is cheating and plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• Intentionally using material verbatim from a source without giving credit. Copying verbatim from an Internet source is plagiarism.
• Rewriting material from a source without giving credit.
• Using information from an Internet source without giving credit.
• Submitting the work of another person as your own work.
• Using/copying work from another student or that student’s electronic storage device and submitting it for a grade.
• Copying from another person’s paper, test or homework.
• Allowing someone else to copy/use your work (paper, homework, quiz, or test) and submitting it or a grade.
• Violating VCCS Computer Ethics Guidelines in the pursuit of academic studies.

For additional information please see Academic Honesty in the Student Handbook.

Intellectual Property

Policy 80410: Intellectual Property

Purpose

Germanna Community College supports creativity, innovation and invention among its students, faculty, and staff. The intent of this policy is to assure that any intellectual property produced by an employee and/or a student at Germanna Community College will be protected for the benefit of the creators and the College. This policy is subject to applicable law and is consistent with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Draft Guidelines for the Development of Patent and Copyright Policies and Procedures by State Supported Institutions of Higher Education of May 6, 1987.

Policy

2.1 Germanna Community College adheres to the policies of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) relative to intellectual property, copyright issues, and revenue derived from the creation of intellectual property. The VCCS policy determines ownership rights and responsibilities regarding intellectual property produced by a student and/or an employee. Detailed descriptions of the VCCS Intellectual Property Policy are in Section 12 of the VCCS Policy Manual.

2.2 Ownership of Intellectual Property

VCCS claims ownership of intellectual property produced by any VCCS employee or student as follows:

• When produced as a result of assigned duty except as otherwise provided by a separate written agreement or waiver which is executed by a duly authorized officer of a college or the VCCS.
• Which was developed with the substantial use of college resources except as otherwise provided by separate written agreement or waiver which is executed by a duly authorized officer of a college or the VCCS.
• Development or delivery of a distance learning course is considered a substantial use of college resources whether the faculty member is compensated or not.
• Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to address any concerns about ownership interests through a separate written agreement prior to the development of intellectual property.

Procedures

3.1 A creator may file an intellectual property dispute regarding, but not limited to, ownership, royalty payments and publication of intellectual property by submitting a dispute in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development. The dispute must be filed within 3 months of the occurrence.

3.2 The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development shall assemble an ad hoc review committee to review the dispute and make a recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will render a decision in writing. The process will take no longer than 60 days after the dispute is filed.

3.3 A creator may appeal a decision to the President. The President’s decision is final.

3.4 The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development will submit an annual report as needed in accordance with guidelines in Section 12.1.11 of the VCCS Policy Manual.

Definitions

VCCS Intellectual Property Section 12.0.1

1. Intellectual Property includes but is not limited to any material defined within one or more of the following categories:
   
   A potentially patentable machine, product, composition of matter, process, or improvement, in any of these:
   • An issued patent;
   • A legal right which is part of a patent; or
   • Anything that is copyrightable. Some examples of copyrightable intellectual property include:

Written Materials - literary, dramatic, and musical materials or works, published or unpublished;

Coursework - lectures, printed materials, images and other items used in the delivery of a course, regardless of the physical medium of expression;

Visual and/or Recorded Materials - sound, visual, audio-visual, and other television films or tapes, video tapes, motion pictures or other recordings or transcriptions, published or unpublished; and

Computer-Related Materials - computer programs, procedures and other documents involved in the operation and maintenance of a data processing system, including program listings, compiler tapes, a library of sub-routines, user and programmer manuals, specifications, and databases.”

2. Substantial Use of College Resources involves 1) more than 10% of the normal duty time of an administrator or classified employee in any semester 2) released or reassigned time from the creator’s normal duties 3) more than 20% of the work hours of assisting college employees in any semester or 4) procurement of special supplies, services, equipment, or other support by the College. The total value of identifiable resources shall not exceed $10,000 for a specific intellectual property

References

VCCS Policy Section 12

Point of Contact

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development

Approval and Revision Dates

College Council: February 27, 2015

President’s Council: February 20, 2015

College Board: May 21, 2015

Credits

College-level Course Credits: The credit for each course is indicated after the title in the course description. One credit is equivalent to one collegiate semester hour credit. Each semester hour of credit given for a course is based on the “academic hour,”which is equivalent of 50 minutes of formalized, structured instructional time in a particular course weekly for fourteen weeks plus the exam or evaluation.

Curriculum Changes/Transfer Between Curricula

Students who want to change their program or course of study while at Germanna Community College should discuss their intentions with an academic advisor. Once a decision to transfer to another curriculum has been finalized, the student should submit a Request for a Change of Curriculum or Advisor form to the Welcome Center or online to admissions@germanna.edu. The change will be effective during the current term if submitted prior to the census date. All requests received after this identified date will be effective for the next term.

Transfer students may also request a reevaluation of their transcripts based on the requirements of the new curriculum. Graduation requirements will be determined by the catalog in effect at the time of the curriculum change.

Please see “Catalog Used for Graduation” under “Graduation Requirements and Procedures” later in this section of the catalog.

Learning Support Studies

Learning support courses are designed to provide the basic skills and knowledge necessary for success in college-level classes. These courses, which are numbered 01-61, are available in writing, reading, arithmetic, and algebra. All students will be required to demonstrate college readiness through assessment and/or transcript review and may be required to take placement tests in math, writing, and reading to aid in placing students in the appropriate courses. Students who are not ready for college level Math and English courses must enroll in developmental or corequisite studies courses. 

Learning support classes do not satisfy graduation requirements and do not transfer to four-year institutions. Learning support courses carry one to eight credits for the purpose of tuition payment, calculation of course load, and enrollment status (full-time/part-time).

Students who experience difficulty with an entry-level class for which there is a preparatory learning support course may add the learning support course that is better suited to their skills. However, course changes after the beginning of the term require the approval of the appropriate Dean of Instruction or designee.

Grades in learning support courses are S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). A grade of S (Satisfactory) means that the student has satisfactorily completed the course objectives. Students not making satisfactory progress will receive a U (Unsatisfactory) and cannot progress until a grade of S is achieved. Any questions concerning developmental studies or student placement in developmental classes should be directed to the appropriate Dean.

Learning Support Course Credits: Courses numbered 01-61 do not satisfy graduation requirements and do not transfer to four-year institutions. Developmental courses carry 1 to 8 credits for the purpose of tuition payment, calculation of course load, and enrollment status (full-time/part-time). 

Direct Placement Initiative: Beginning Fall 2020 all students will be required to demonstrate college readiness through transcript review and, for eligible students, informed self-placement to determine appropriate courses.  Students will be placed into developmental studies courses based on GPA, prior course history, and/or informed self-placement.  Student GPA, prior course history, and/or informed self-placement provide courselors and faculty advisors with objective information to place students in the most appropriate classes. Students who are military affiliated should consult with a Veteran’s Center Advisor to determine eligibility for developmental coursework. 

Distance Learning

Germanna Community College is committed to providing quality accessible learning opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom and that serve a diverse community population. To serve that commitment, GCC offers online, hybrid, and interactive video courses.

All online course instruction is delivered via the Internet. Hybrid courses are a combination of campus lecture and online instruction. Finally, we offer courses through a live interactive video system which are available simultaneously at multiple campuses. The college reserves the right to change the method of instruction in the case of an emergency or other unforeseen event.  In the event the method of instruction is changed,  the college will notify students who are impacted by the change.

Distance Learning website presents guidelines for online learning and a self-assessment test for students considering online courses.

Examinations

VCCS (section 5.6.1) policy: Examinations (SB): Students shall be expected to take examinations at the regularly scheduled times. No exceptions shall be made without the permission of the Chief Academic Officer, or another appropriate academic administrator, and the instructor of the course.

Final Exams (or any meaningful activity such as individual student conferences) will be held according to the posted Germanna schedule. Final examination (day, time and location) must be included in the course outline.

Recognition (Academic)

Academic Honors: Any student whose semester GPA is 3.20 or above will be placed on the Academic Honors List for that semester. The statement “Academic Honors” will be printed on the transcript.

President’s List: Any student who has completed a minimum of 24 credits at Germanna Community College and whose cumulative GPA is 3.8 or higher, earned a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher, and earned no grades of D, F, I or U for the semester will be place on the President’s List. The statement “President’s List” will be printed on the transcript.

Dean’s List: Any student, who has completed at least 12 credits per semester OR completed at least 6 non-developmental credit hours for the semester and earned a semester GPA of at least a 3.5, will be placed on the Dean’s List. The statement “Dean’s List” will be printed on the transcript.

Repeating a Course

Students are limited to two enrollments in the same credit course. Requests to enroll in the same course for a third time must be documented on a Request to Repeat Course form and approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development or designee prior to registration. Repeating a course will affect a student’s grade point average and may negatively affect financial eligibility.

When courses are repeated the highest grade attained is counted in the computation of the cumulative grade point average and for satisfying graduation requirements. However, all prior attempts will remain on the student’s permanent academic record. This policy applies only to courses taken and repeated since Fall 2021, courses prior to this date will revert to last taken. Implementation of this policy does not revise any GPA calculations for prior terms or any academic, financial, or administrative events that have occurred in the past. Questions should be directed to the Registrar.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must meet all of the following conditions in order to make satisfactory academic progress. Total credits attempted must be less than 150% of the program length. Students must earn a grade of A, B, C, D, or S in at least 67% of all credits attempted on a cumulative basis. Grades of F, I, U, R, W and X are not considered satisfactory grades. Students who have attempted 1-15 credits must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.50. Students who have attempted 16-30 credits must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.75. Students who have attempted more than 30 credits must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Students are limited to a total of 30 semester hours in developmental courses.

Academic Standing

The College keeps students informed of their academic standing. A statement is printed on the student’s record to indicate academic warning, probation, suspension, or dismissal. Similarly, a statement will indicate when acceptable academic standing has been achieved. The College will assist students to increase their effectiveness in meeting the academic standards of the institution and ultimately to attain graduation. Students are expected to maintain a 2.00 “C” grade point average and to make normal academic progress toward graduation.

Good Academic Standing: Students are considered to be in “good academic standing” if they maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00 per semester, are eligible to re-enroll at the College, and are not on academic suspension or dismissal status. 

Academic Warning: Students who fail to attain a minimum GPA of 2.00 for any semester shall receive an academic warning. The statement “Academic Warning” will be printed on the student’s record. Students on academic warning are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor.

Academic Probation: Students who fail to maintain a cumulative GPA of 1.50 will be on academic probation until such time as their cumulative average is 1.75 or better. The statement “Academic Probation” will be printed on their permanent records. Students on academic probation are ineligible to hold office in student organizations unless the Dean of Student Development grants special permission. Students usually will be required to carry a lighter course load the following semester. Students will be subject to academic probation only after they have attempted 12 semester credit hours.

Academic Suspension:

Students on academic probation who fail to attain a semester GPA of 1.50 or better for the next semester of attendance will be subject to academic suspension. Students may be suspended only after attempting 24 credit hours. The statement “Academic Suspension” will be printed on the student’s permanent records. Students who have been informed that they are on academic suspension but wish to be considered for reinstatement may submit a written appeal to the Registrar for consideration by the Admissions Committee.

Reinstatement after Academic Suspension: Reinstatement after the suspension period is not automatic. The suspended student must submit a written petition for readmission/reinstatement to the Registrar for consideration by the Admissions Committee. The petition may be hand delivered to a campus Welcome Center or sent via email to: reinstatement@germanna.edu. The petition should address the student’s academic goals, explain the academic difficulties that led to suspension, and describe what has been done to enhance the student’s chance for success. The Admissions Committee will review the petition within thirty business days. The Registrar will contact the student regarding the outcome of the petition for reinstatement. Students approved for reinstatement will be subject to special provisions. The decision of the Admissions Committee is final and not subject to appeal.

Academic Dismissal:

Students who do not maintain at least a 2.0 GPA for the semester of reinstatement to the College following academic suspension will be academically dismissed. Students who have been placed on academic suspension and achieve a 2.0 GPA for the semester of their reinstatement must maintain at least a 1.75 GPA in each subsequent semester of enrollment.

Students remain subject to dismissal until their cumulative GPA is raised to a minimum of 1.75. Failure to attain a 1.75 GPA in each subsequent semester until cumulative GPA reaches 1.75 will result in academic dismissal. The statement”Academic Dismissal”will be printed on the transcript. Academic dismissal normally is permanent unless, with good cause, the student reapplies and is accepted under special consideration for readmission. Dismissed students should direct a written petition for readmission to the Registrar for consideration by the Admissions Committee.

Academic Renewal

Currently enrolled students who return to the College after a separation of 5 years (60 months) or more may petition for academic renewal. The request must be made on the Academic Renewal Petition form and submitted to the Welcome Center. If a student is determined to be eligible for academic renewal, “D”and”F”grades earned prior to re-enrollment will remain on the permanent record, but will be deleted from the cumulative and curriculum GPA, subject to the following conditions:

• Prior to petitioning for academic renewal, the student must demonstrate a renewed academic interest and effort by earning at least a 2.5 GPA in the first 12 semester hours completed after re-enrollment.
• All grades received at the College will be a part of the student’s official transcript.
• Students will receive degree credit only for courses in which grades of “C” or better were earned prior to academic renewal, providing that such courses meet current curriculum requirements.
• Total hours for graduation will be based on all course-work taken at the College after readmission, as well as former course work for which a grade of “C” or better was earned, and credits transferred from other colleges or universities.
• The academic renewal petition may be used only once and cannot be revoked once approved. Contact the Registrar for further information.

Attendance Standard

Class attendance is an integral part of a sound academic program for most classes at Germanna. However, alternate teaching techniques, which may not require class attendance, may also be a part of a sound academic program. Class attendance requirements are found in the course outline, which the instructor provides to students in each course. Germanna students are expected to be present and on time at all regularly scheduled classes and laboratory meetings.

In accordance with VCCS Policy 5.6.0 regarding credit courses, course attendance requires active participation by a student in an instructional activity related to the course, after the course start date. Attendance is not equivalent to logging into the Learning Management System. Participation includes but is not limited to:

1.     Attending a synchronous class, lecture, recitation, or field or laboratory activity, physically or online, where there is an opportunity for predictable and scheduled substantive interaction between the instructor and students

2.     Submitting an academic assignment;

3.     Taking an assessment or an exam;

4.     Instructor documented participation in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction;

5.     Participating in an activity group, group project, or an online discussion that the instructor assigns; or

6.     Documented coursework interaction with the instructor.

When a faculty member determines that a student has not met the class attendance requirements in the course outline, the faculty member may submit a Administrative Withdrawal Form, showing the last date of attendance by the student, to the Admissions and Records Office. A grade of “W” will be recorded for all withdrawals, whether initiated by the student or by the faculty member through the published “Last Day to Withdraw without Academic Penalty.”  Students withdrawn after the withdrawal deadline will receive a grade of “F” except under mitigating circumstances, which must be documented by the student and approved by the Dean of Instruction or designee. Please see “Withdrawing from a Course” under ” Registration Information” in the Academic Information section of this catalog for additional information.

Attendance Standard Recommendation:

This is based on 15-week course. Please note that for shorter term courses the permitted absences may be reduced. Questions around an administrative withdraw please consult information above.

Classification of Students

All students are classified according to the following categories: Curricular/Non-curricular, Freshman/Sophomore, Full-time/Part-time.

Curricular Students

Curricular students are those who wish to pursue, on a full- or part-time basis, the completion of a degree or certificate offered by the College. For curricular students, the following items are required for official admission:

• A completed College Application for Admission with social security number requested.
• A completed Application for Virginia Domicile (for students requesting in-state tuition rates).
• An official high school or GED transcript is requested and may be required for Federal Financial Aid.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

High school transcripts may not be required if the record is more than ten years old or the student has completed 20 semester hours (or equivalent) at a regionally-accredited college or university. However, admission to the selective admissions programs may require submission of high school and college transcripts.

Non-curricular Students

A student who is not formally admitted to one of the curricula but who is classified according to one of the following student goals or conditions:

• updating employment skills for present job
• developing skills for a new job
• career exploration
• personal satisfaction and general knowledge
• transient student (may take up to 15 credit hours before being required to change status)
• non-degree transfer student
• high school student (with College & high school approval only)
• general or curricular requirements pending (with College approval only)
• restricted enrollment (with College approval only)
• auditing a course (with College approval only)

Freshman: Fewer than 30 credits completed in the designated curriculum.
Sophomore: 30 or more credits completed in the designated curriculum, including relevant transfer credits.
Full-time: Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester.
Part-time: Enrolled in fewer than 12 credits per semester.

Computer Competency Requirements

Germanna Community College supports the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) belief that all students should experience a teaching-learning environment that espouses computer and information literacy in accessing electronic resources and applying knowledge through technology. Students must demonstrate proficiency in specific computer competencies necessary for academic success, transfer, and employment.  Individual programs may specify how computer competency is attained as part of the program.  If not specified otherwise, computer competency is demonstrated by passing ITE 152 (transfer elective) or an equivalent competency test. The College endorses the principle of computer competency for all students’ intent on completing a curriculum in excess of 45 semester credits. Germanna Community College ensures that students graduating in programs in excess of 45 semester credits will be able to:

• demonstrate a working knowledge of computing concepts, components, and operations to accomplish educational and career tasks;
• use appropriate components of an integrated productivity software package involving word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and/or communication applications;
• access, retrieve, assess, and apply networked information resources (for ex., on-line catalog, virtual libraries, the Internet and World Wide Web); and
• use telecommunication software (for example, electronic mail, learning management systems, blog, etc.) to communicate with faculty students, and information providers.

Students may satisfy the computer competency requirement at Germanna Community College by passing ITE 152 or an equivalent competency test. The computer competency exam can only be taken once. No credit will be awarded. Student must score 70% on each area of the exam. For more information about the competency exam, please contact Testing Services. There may be a fee to take the computer competency test.

General Education

Associate degree programs provide a coherent, shared experience for students to develop the general education core competencies expected of them as college-educated individuals. General education, as an integrated and cohesive whole, provides the educational foundation necessary to promote intellectual and personal development. Upon completion of the associate degree, graduates of Virginia’s Community Colleges will demonstrate competency in student learning outcomes (SLOs) determined and assessed by each college in 1) Civic Engagement, 2) Critical Thinking, 3) Professional Readiness, 4) Quantitative Literacy, 5) Scientific Literacy, 6) Written Communication, and a 7th competency adopted by Germanna Community College titled Intercultural Fluency.

Collectively, these general education core competencies distinguish graduates of Virginia’s Community Colleges as individuals with a breadth of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue further education and their careers, continue to develop as learners and contribute to the well-being of their communities. The six competencies are defined in policy with aspirational statements of learning goals for graduates. Each community college will determine and assess specific learning outcomes based on the definitions and aspirational statements.

The Associate Degree programs within the Virginia Community College System support a collegiate experience that meets the general education requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).  The following general education core competencies shall be included in the catalog of each college.

Civic Engagement is the ability to contribute to the civic life and well-being of local, national, and global communities as both social responsibility and a life-long learning process. Degree graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and civic values necessary to become informed and contributing participants in a democratic society.

Critical Thinking is the ability to use information, ideas, and arguments from relevant perspectives to make sense of complex issues and solve problems. Degree graduates will locate, evaluate, interpret, and combine information to reach well-reasoned conclusions or solutions.

Professional Readiness is the ability to work well with others and display situationally and culturally appropriate demeanor and behavior. Degree graduates will demonstrate skills important for successful transition into the workplace and pursuit of further education.

Quantitative Literacy is the ability to perform accurate calculations, interpret quantitative information, apply and analyze relevant numerical data, and use results to support conclusions. Degree graduates will calculate, interpret, and use numerical and quantitative information in a variety of settings.

Scientific Literacy is the ability to apply the scientific method and related concepts and principles to make informed decisions and engage with issues related to the natural, physical, and social world. Degree graduates will recognize and know how to use the scientific method and evaluate empirical information.

Written Communication is the ability to develop, convey, and exchange ideas in writing, as appropriate to a given context and audience. Degree graduates will express themselves effectively in a variety of written forms.

Intercultural Fluency is the ability to recognize, articulate, and integrate contributions and influences from diverse communities. Degree graduates will encounter opportunities for interpersonal communication and personal reflection designed to build stronger, more respectful relationships and empower them to advocate for meaningful change in their communities.

Each college with the Virginia Community College System will be responsible for identifying appropriate learning outcomes relative to each of the first six general education core competencies defined above, and for assessing those outcomes in accordance with SACSCOC accreditation standards and SCHEV policy.

(VCCS Policy Manual Section 5.0.2, January 2019)

General Education Passport

The Passport is a 16-credit hour sequence of courses. All courses are transferable and will satisfy a lower-division general education requirement at any public Virginia institution of higher education.  The Passport courses are part of the General Education Certificate and all transfer degree programs and may be also offered in the High School Dual Enrollment Programs.  

Students will not earn a credential upon completion of the passport courses. 

Below are the courses that qualify as Passport and are transferable if students earn a grade of C or better. 

Written Communication

• ENG 111: College Composition I

Humanities and Fine Arts or History (Select One)

• ART 101: History and Appreciation of Art I
• ART 102: History and Appreciation of Art II
• HIS 111: History of World Civilization I
• HIS 112: History of World Civilization II
• HIS 121: United States History I
• HIS 122: United States History II

Social and Behavioral Science(Select One)

• ECO 201: Principles of Macroeconomics
• PLS 135: American National Politics
• PLS 211: U.S. Government I
• PSY 200: Principles of Psychology
• SOC 268: Social Problems

Natural Sciences (Select One)

• BIO 101: General Biology I
• CHM 101: Introductory Chemistry I
• CHM 111: General Chemistry I

Mathematics(Select One)

Quantitative/Statistics Pathway:

• MTH 154: Quantitative Reasoning
• MTH 155: Statistical Reasoning

Calculus Pathway:

• MTH 161: Precalculus I and
• MTH 162: Precalculus II
• MTH 167: Precalculus with Trigonometry
• MTH 245: Statistics I
• MTH 261: Applied Calculus I
• MTH 263: Calculus I and
• MTH 264: Calculus II

General Education Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

VCCS degree graduates will demonstrate competency in the following general education areas:

1.0 Civic Engagement is the ability to contribute to the civic life and well-being of local, national, and global communities as both a social responsibility and a life-long learning process. Degree graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and civic values necessary to become informed and contributing participants in a democratic society. 

GCC associate degree seeking students will:

Introduction Outcome (SDV)

1.1 Identify concepts of civic engagement as they relate to students as members of the college community and reflect on one’s roles and ethical responsibilities as a member of that community.

​Reinforcement Outcomes (Curriculum)

1.2 Explain the main attributes of democracy and the American political system.

1.3 Describe the basic activities of democratic citizenship in both political and non-political contexts.

1.4 Engage in discussion and debate with those who hold differing views and identities and understand the value of debate in sustaining civil society and democracy.

Merging Outcome (Curriculum and Co-Curriculum)

1.5 Use co-curricular experiences or knowledge gained from an academic discipline to identify and respond to issues impacting the well-being of local, national, or global communities

2.0 Critical Thinking is the ability to use information, ideas and arguments from relevant perspectives to make sense of complex issues and solve problems. Degree graduates will locate, evaluate, interpret, and combine information to reach well-reasoned conclusions or solutions. 

GCC associate degree seeking students will:

2.1 Implement effective and efficient search strategies to locate information that is relevant and appropriate for addressing complex issues.

2.2 Evaluate information sources, arguments, or ideas for credibility and bias within the context of the learning task.

2.3 Interpret information to reach well-reasoned conclusions.

2.4 Combine and use information from multiple relevant perspectives to make sense of complex issues or solve complex problems.

3.0 Professional Readiness is the ability to work well with others and display situational and culturally appropriate demeanor and behavior. Degree graduates will demonstrate skills important for successful transition into the workplace and pursuit of further education. 

GCC associate degree seeking students will:

3.1 Successfully work in a team on an assignment or project.

3.2 Use verbal and nonverbal communication that is appropriate for a given context.

3.3 Recognize problems and propose solutions that are appropriate for a given context.

3.4 Complete assigned tasks using the standard tools of technology in a given context.

4.0 Quantitative Literacy is the ability to perform accurate calculations, interpret quantitative information, apply and analyze relevant numerical data, and use results to support conclusions. Degree graduates will calculate, interpret, and use numerical and quantitative information in a variety of settings. 

GCC associate degree seeking students will:

4.1 Perform accurate calculations using quantitative data from course-related content.

4.2 Identify and use relevant numerical data that are accurate, unbiased and appropriate for a desired application.

4.3 Interpret quantitative information based upon data generated from course-related material to solve problems or make inferences.

4.4 Apply the information gathered from data to support conclusions, test theories, propose solutions, or make decisions.

5.0 Scientific Literacy is the ability to apply the scientific method and related concepts and principles to make informed decisions and engage with issues related to the natural, physical, and social world. Degree graduates will recognize and know how to use the scientific method, and to evaluate empirical information. 

GCC associate degree seeking students will:

5.1 Identify a testable hypothesis or a measurable research question.

5.2 Identify valid methods to test a hypothesis or a measurable research question.

5.3 Interpret data or evaluate evidence to reach a logical conclusion.

5.4 Recognize a logical scientific argument or conclusion based on empirical evidence.

6.0 Written Communication is the ability to develop, convey, and exchange ideas in writing, as appropriate to a given context and audience. Degree graduates will express themselves effectively in a variety of written forms. 

GCC associate degree seeking students will:

6.1 Produce written works appropriate for the subject, audience, and purpose of a writing task.

6.2 Integrate relevant information from credible sources and apply citation conventions appropriate to the discipline.

6.3 Apply appropriate syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling in a writing task.

6.4 Convey and support a central idea using structural conventions. 

7.0 Intercultural Fluency is the ability to recognize, articulate, and integrate contributions and influences from diverse communities. Degree graduates will encounter opportunities for interpersonal communication and personal reflection designed to build stronger, more respectful relationships and empower them to advocate for meaningful change in their communities.

GCC associate degree-seeking students will:

7.1 Identify the influence and legacy of diverse contributors in the advancement of a discipline.

7.2 Summarize the views and experiences of others accurately and respectfully.

7.3 Communicate their own views and experiences clearly and respectfully, as relevant to the assignment.

7.4 Incorporate content from a variety of perspectives or lenses.

7.5 Propose ways to apply course content to address local and/or global social issues and injustices.

Grading System

In order to receive any letter grade, a student must have attended a minimum of one class meeting or the equivalent in the case of a distance learning course. In a distance learning course, initial student attendance is determined by course participation as measured by completion of a class assignment, participation in a course discussion, or other evidence of participation. Students who enroll in a course but do not attend a minimum of one class meeting or the distance learning equivalent by the census date or earlier date as defined and published by the institution must be administratively deleted from the course by the college. Existing college policies regarding tuition refund shall remain in effect.

The grades of A, B, C, D, P, and S are passing grades. Grades of F and U are failing grades. R and I are interim grades. Grades of W and X are final grades carrying no credit.

The quality of performance in any academic course is reported by a letter grade, the assignment of which is the responsibility of the instructor. These grades denote the character of study and are assigned quality points as follows:

Grade Appeals

A change of grade can only be authorized by the faculty member who awarded the grade. Students are encouraged to resolve disputes regarding a grade through an informal appeal to the instructor. If the dispute is not resolved informally, grade appeals are handled according to procedures outlined in the Student Grievance Procedure. It is important to note that a formal grievance must be filed within 30 business days of the student’s knowledge of the grade being disputed. Grade changes initiated by College personnel other than the original faculty member and grade changes for classes taken that are over one year old shall be reviewed and approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development. (VCCS Policy Manual Section 5.6.0.6)

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the number of grade points earned in courses by the total number of credits attempted. Courses that do not generate grade points are not included in credits attempted.

Learning support credits are not included in the GPA computation.

Semester Grade Point Average: The semester GPA is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned in courses attempted for the semester by the total number of credits attempted (see Figure 1, How to Figure Grade Point Average).

Cumulative Grade Point Average: The cumulative GPA, which includes all courses attempted, is computed each semester and is maintained on a continuing basis as a record of the student’s academic standing. When students repeat a course only the last grade earned will be counted in the computation.

Curriculum Grade Point Average: A curriculum GPA, which includes only those courses applicable to the student’s curriculum, is computed in order to ensure that the student satisfies the graduation requirement for that curriculum. When students repeat a course, only the last grade earned is counted in the computation of the curriculum GPA.

Grade Reports

Final grade reports are available to students via the Student Information System on MyGCC at the end of each semester. No grades will be mailed. Final grades are a part of the student’s permanent academic record and are recorded on the student’s official transcript.

I Incomplete: No grade point credit. Used for verifiable unavoidable reasons. To be eligible to receive an “I” grade, the student must (1) have satisfactorily completed more than 60% of the course requirements and attendance and (2) must request the faculty member to assign the “I” grade and indicate why it is warranted. The faculty member has the discretion to decide whether the “I” grade will be awarded. Since the incomplete extends enrollment in the course, requirements for satisfactory completion will be established through student/ faculty consultation. In assigning the “I” grade, the Faculty member must complete documentation that (1) states the reason for assigning the grade; (2) specifies the work to be completed and indicates its percentage in relation to the total work of the course; (3) specifies the date by which the work must be completed; and (4) identifies the default (B, C, D, F, P, R, or U) based upon course work already completed. Completion dates may not be set beyond the last day of the subsequent semester (to include summer term) without written approval of the chief academic officer of the campus. The student will be provided a copy of the documentation. A “W” grade will be awarded only under documented mitigating circumstances which must be documented by the student and approved by the Chief Academic Officer of the campus.

P Pass: No grade point credit. Applies only to selected non-developmental courses which have College approval for the pass/unsatisfactory grading option.

U Unsatisfactory: No credit. Applies to Developmental Studies, noncredit courses, and selected credit courses which have College approval for the pass/ unsatisfactory grading option.

W Withdrawal: No credit or academic penalty. A grade of “W”is awarded to students who withdraw or are withdrawn from a course after the add/drop period but prior to the completion of 60% of the session. See”Withdrawing from a Course” under “Registration Information” earlier in this section.

R Re-enroll: No credit. Student must re-enroll to satisfactorily meet course objectives. To be used only for Developmental Studies (numbered 01 through 60).

S Satisfactory: No grade point credit. Used only for satisfactory completion of a Developmental Studies course (numbered 01 through 60).

X Audit: No credit. Permission of the Dean of Instruction is required to audit a course. After the last day to drop with a refund, students may not change from credit to audit.

Pass/Unsatisfactory Grading Option:

Grades available under the Pass/ Unsatisfactory option are “P” and “U”. A student enrolled in a class under this option receives one or the other of these two grades, except where an “R,” “I,” or “W” is appropriate. Permission of the Dean of Instruction is required for utilizing the Pass/Unsatisfactory option. The”P”grade is not included in GPA calculations. A maximum 7 semester credit hours from courses for which the “P” grade has been awarded may be applied toward completion of a degree or certificate.

Note: The grades of A, B, C, D, P, and S are passing grades. Grades F and U are failing grades. R and I are interim grades. Grades of W and X are final grades carrying no credit.

Graduation Requirements/Procedures and Academic Requirements

To be eligible for a degree, certificate or career studies certificate from the College, a student must have:

• Been admitted to the curriculum in which he/she expects to receive a degree or certificate.
• Fulfilled all of the course and credit hour requirements of the curriculum with 25 percent of the credits completed at GCC.
• Earned a GPA of at least 2.0 on all work attempted which is applicable toward graduation in his/her particular curriculum.
• Satisfied the College’s computer competency requirement for programs of more than 45 semester hours.
• Fulfilled all exit assessment requirements (including completion of general education assessment instruments for Associate degree candidates).
• Resolved all financial obligations to the College and returned all materials, including library books.
• Been certified for graduation by the Registrar and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development.

Final responsibility for meeting all degree requirements rests with the student. Upon recommendation of the Dean of Instruction and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development students who pursue a degree program but are unable to complete the degree requirements may be issued a certificate if the portion of study completed is equivalent to an approved certificate program offered at the College. If an approved certificate in the student’s area of study is not offered at the College, an award of completion may be granted which specifies instructional hours completed.

Catalog Used for Graduation:

Each new catalog becomes effective with the Fall semester of the year in which it is published. The catalog used to determine graduation requirements may be either of the following at the student’s request:

The catalog in effect at the time a student was formally admitted into a curriculum. -OR-

Any subsequent catalog which came into effect while the student was enrolled in that curriculum at GCC.

Note: The catalog used in certifying graduation requirements will have been in effect no more than seven years prior to the time of graduation.

Application for Commencement: Students should apply to attend commencement according to the following schedule:

Applications are available in the Admissions and Records Office and online via myGCC. The College has two formal commencement ceremonies. Students who complete degree requirements during the Summer and Fall semesters will attend commencement following the Fall semester. Students who complete degree requirements during the Spring semester will attend the Spring commencement ceremony. Students will not be permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony prior to the completion of a program of study without administration approval.

Graduation Honors: Students who have fulfilled all requirements applicable to their program are eligible for graduation honors. Graduation honors are determined by the student’s cumulative grade point average and are only applicable to Associate Degrees and Certificates. Appropriate honors based upon scholastic achievement are recorded on the student’s permanent record as follows:

• 3.2 GPA Cum Laude (with honor)
• 3.5 GPA Magna Cum Laude (with high honor)
• 3.8 GPA Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor)

Second Degree or Certificate: In awarding students an additional certificate or degree, the College may grant credit for all previously completed applicable courses which are requirements of an additional certificate or degree. However, the College reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of awarding additional degrees in order to maintain the academic integrity of the College. A General Studies Degree will not be conferred in addition to another AA&S Degree unless the programs vary by 25% of required credit hours for the second degree.

Credit for Prior Learning Policy

Credit for Prior Learning Policy

Germanna Community College believes that a student’s prior college-level learning and experience can be recognized and applied to their program of study, potentially saving time and money. Credit for prior learning is only applicable towards curriculum requirements at Germanna Community College and does not fulfill the College’s residency requirement. If a student plans to transfer, it is critical that the student work with a faculty advisor and/or counselor to review the transfer policies at the destination school.

Official transcripts or documents can be sent by mail to Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. Electronic transcripts may arrive faster and can be sent to transcripts@germanna.edu.

Prospective students should see http://www.transfervirginia.org to learn about Germanna and get an idea of the credits that may transfer in. This is a new website and the database there will continue to grow and show more course matches to a variety of college courses, exams, and industry credentials.

Credit for prior learning may be obtained in the following ways:

Transfer Credit:

Coursework transferred to Germanna Community College must represent collegiate coursework applicable to the student’s curriculum, with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies at least equivalent to those of students enrolled in Germanna’s curricula. Collegiate coursework from regionally accredited institutions typically meets the above criteria.

The evaluation of transcripts is intended as a service to students who are pursuing academic programs at Germanna Community College. It is not intended as a means of credentialing students or providing documentation for job promotions, etc. Students must have completed at least one course at Germanna before an official transcript reflecting credit for prior learning will be issued.

No credit will be given for courses with grades lower than C. Technical and computer classes taken more than five years ago will not be accepted for transfer credits.

A student enrolling at Germanna Community College who has been awarded a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited American institution is eligible to be granted transfer credit for ENG 111, ENG 112 and SDV 100 in addition to other applicable credits. The student must be in a curricular program and must submit official transcripts showing the confer date of the degree. A waiver consisting of 7 credits will then be posted by Admissions and Records thereby negating the need to complete ENG 111, ENG 112, and an SDV class. These students will be expected to learn different bibliographic writing styles that they may or may not have experience with prior to attending Germanna.

Regarding transfer credit options for students who are applying with previous course work completed at an accredited college or university in a foreign nation whose language of instruction is English (ex. Canada, England, Australia, etc.), full credit should be given to course work with course equivalency to ENG 111 and/or ENG 112 where applicable.

Regarding transfer credit options for students who are applying with previous course work completed at an accredited college or university in a foreign nation whose language of instruction is a language other than English, credit disbursement will be dependent upon the student’s ability to pass the VPT or other equivalent placement testing used by Germanna and the recommendation of three to five full-time English faculty members based upon a writing selection submission. If the student places into ENG 111 after successfully completing the college placement test, the student will be given the option to submit a selection of no less than three collegiate-level writing examples. These writing examples are to be scholarly essays, at least one of which must include academic-level research and adhere to one of the primary formatting models (ex. MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.). Credit can be awarded to the student for either ENG 111 alone or ENG 111 and ENG 112 together based upon the recommendation of the panel of full-time English faculty members. The student is responsible for providing Germanna with a transcript which has been evaluated by an international credentialing service (such as World Education Services/WES or Global Credential Evaluators/GCE).

To transfer credit to another college or university, please review their policy for advanced standing/credit for prior learning. Every school has a different standard for accepting transfer credit, credit by exam, and portfolio credit.

Credit by Exam: Credit may be awarded for the successful completion of certain nationally recognized exams such as Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) and International Baccalaureate (IB) as well as approved institutionally developed challenge exams known as ABLE exams (Assessment by Local Examination).

Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations

Germanna Community College recognizes the rigor of the College Board AP exams, adheres to the policy established by the VCCS and awards credit in line with the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines. Course credit is awarded for specific AP exams with a score of 3, 4 or 5. Students should request an official score report be sent from the College Board to: Office of Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or transcripts@germanna.edu . Please see the table below for a listing of specific exams and course equivalencies.

* CSC 201 will not apply to Science - Computer Science track but may be used as Transfer Elective on other degree plans.

** Student should discuss program and transfer plans with CPL Advisor

University of Cambridge Advanced Examinations

Germanna Community College recognizes the rigor of the University of Cambridge Advanced Examinations and adheres to the policy established by the VCCS and awards credit in line with the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines. Course credit is awarded for specific Cambridge Advanced exams. Students should forward an official score report to: Office of Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or transcripts@germanna.edu. Please see the table below for a listing of specific exams and course equivalencies.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Germanna Community College accepts many of the College Board’s CLEP tests and follows the policy established by the VCCS and awards credit in line with the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines. Germanna is an official CLEP testing site. To schedule a CLEP test, you may go to https://www.germanna.edu/testing/clep-testing/. For additional information, please contact the Fredericksburg Area Campus High Tech Testing Center at 540-834-1035. or cleptesting@germanna.edu. After test completion, students should request an official score report be sent from the College Board (http://clep.collegeboard.org/) to: Office of Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or transcripts@germanna.edu. Please see the table below for a listing of specific CLEP tests and course equivalencies accepted by Germanna Community College.

Business

College Composition and Literature

History and Social Sciences

Sciences and Mathematics

World Languages

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

Germanna Community College accepts many of Prometric’s DSSTs and follows the policy established by the VCCS and awards credit in line with the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines. Students should request an official score report be sent from Prometric’s website (http://getcollegecredit.com/) to Office of Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or transcripts@germanna.edu. Please see the table below for a listing of specific DSST tests and course equivalencies.

Business

Health

 Humanities

Math

 Physical Science

**Exams no longer offered, but transfer credit will be awarded. 

Social Sciences

 Technology

International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations

Germanna Community College recognizes the quality of the International Baccalaureate Program and follows the policy established by the VCCS and awards credit on a course-by-course basis. Course credit will be given for scores of 4, 5, 6, or 7 on the higher level (HL) examinations and scores of 5, 6, or 7 on the standard level (SL) examinations. No credit will be awarded solely for earning a Diploma. Students should request an official score report be sent from the IBO (https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/requesting-transcripts/) to: Office of Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or transcripts@germanna.edu. Please see the table below for the specific IB exams and course equivalencies.

Assessment by Local Exam (ABLE)

Using exams prepared by GCC faculty, Assessment by Local Exam (ABLE) allows students to receive credit for courses by demonstrating they have acquired the competencies through prior education or other experiences. In most cases, students must contact the department offering the exam to determine if they are qualified to take the exam; they may have to meet certain background requirements in order to qualify.

There is no charge for ABLE exams or for having credit recorded on the student’s permanent record. Credits earned through ABLE exams do not count toward the College residency requirement and may or may not transfer to other institutions of higher education.

Currently GCC has one ABLE exam. The Student Development Assessment by Local Exam (SDV ABLE) allows students to receive one credit for the SDV course requirement by demonstrating they have acquired the competencies through prior education or other experiences. The Credit for Prior Learning option includes two parts: (1) the SDV ABLE EXAM on content covered in the SDV 100 course; and (2) the completion of a receipt form with signature acknowledging the student has received a copy of the College’s Student Handbook. To be eligible to take the SDV ABLE Exam option, students must be transferring into Germanna from another accredited institution of higher education with a minimum of 24 credits but with no completed degree. Students must meet additional criteria as well, so students should contact the Assistant Dean of Student Development in order to determine eligibility for this option.

Credit for Military Training:

Military students can use Credit2Careers.org to learn about Germanna programs and potential credit awards for military training and experience. Credit may be awarded as recommend by the American Council on Education (ACE) as those credits fit into the specific curriculum selected by the student (http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Military-Guide-Online.aspx).

Students with experience in the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, and Navy must request a review of their military training and experience be transcribed through the Joint Services Transcript (https://jst.doded.mil/smart/), while students with experience in the Air Force must request their Community College of the Air Force transcript. Two physical education credits may be awarded to a student who can provide their DD214, if they are unable to retrieve transcripts any other way. Transcripts may be sent to: Office of Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or transcripts@germanna.edu. 

Credit for Other Courses

Credit may be awarded for courses that do not meet the College’s normal criteria for transfer in accordance with established articulation agreements or as recommended by the ACE typically in the applied degree programs. See below for specific guidelines on articulated credit for particular programs.  Official transcripts or documents can be sent from the issuing institution by mail to Office of Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. Electronic transcripts may arrive faster and can be directed to transcripts@germanna.edu .

Experiential Learning Portfolio Credit

Students with a range of significant life experiences may already possess learning equivalent to college-level coursework. These experiences may be converted into one or more Germanna Community College courses, up to 15 credit hours, through the creation and evaluation of portfolios documenting the experience and how it meets course learning outcomes. Possible learning experiences meriting college credit include work, military service, volunteering, travel, and independent study. 

NOTE: Students should be aware that experiential learning credit through the portfolio process may not be accepted at all institutions. Those planning to transfer should verify the policies of their desired four-year institution BEFORE pursuing portfolio credit.

Students interested in gaining credit for experiential learning should take the following steps:

1. Review the course content summary for each course for which you would like to gain credit and verify that your experience meets all course outcomes listed. The Credit for Prior Learning Advisor can assist you in making this determination.

1. Student will take a portfolio writing class and submit that portfolio for evaluation. The current option is an instructor-led, online course from another VCCS College. Contact the Credit for Prior learning Advisor for more information about cost, enrollment process, and to learn which option will be better for you.

Virginia Criminal Justice Academies

Virginia State Police Academy (American Council on Education evaluation in 2013)

Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy

(Articulation Agreement dated April 18, 2003 with 2008 note that GCC Curriculum approved awarding 20 credits rather than the signed 11.) Students must provide an official transcript from the Academy to: the Office of Admissions and Records Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or transcripts@germanna.edu , and credit will be awarded after the student satisfactorily completes all other program requirements.

First Aid and/or CPR Certifications

1. Students must first provide documentation of a current certification card from an acceptable organization. The certification(s) must be current throughout the completion of each step listed in this process.
2. Students will make arrangements with the Department Chair by calling 540-423-9853 to take an industry standard written exam related to the class they are interested in obtaining credit for. The class should be reflective of their current certification(s). The American Red Cross test will be used for the first aid testing and depending on the certification held, either the American Red Cross or American Heart Association tests will be used for the CPR and AED testing. Students will need to obtain at least an 80% for each section in the American Red Cross tests and/or at least an 84% in the American Heart Association tests in order to be successful. Students may only take the exam once.
3. Students will make arrangements with an appropriate faculty member to demonstrate relative skills tests. These tests may include: Adult/Child/Infant CPR and AED, conscious and unconscious choking, glove removal, controlling external bleeding, using a manufactured tourniquet, splinting, using an epinephrine auto injector. Skills will not be retaught. It is the expectation that the students be competent in each of the skills being tested. Students must be successful in demonstrating all of the skills relative to the class they desire to obtain credit for.

If one of the above steps is not successful, the process is complete and credit cannot be awarded. A new CPR and/or first aid certification card is not awarded as a part of this process. Students who successfully complete the above steps will be awarded credit for one of the following:

• 3 credits for HLT 100 - both first aid and CPR
• 2 credits for HLT 106 - first aid only
• 1 credit for HLT 105 - CPR only

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

LPNs meeting the minimum prerequisites for admission will be awarded 12 credits when admitted to Germanna’s RN Nursing Program at the discretion of the Dean of Nursing and Health Technologies. These credits will be awarded at the completion of the RN program. Please see a Nursing advisor for information on the LPN to RN Advanced Standing criteria as a pre-admission test is required.

Emergency Medical Services

EMTs with current certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or Virginia Department of Health may receive college credit. Students must provide an official transcript to Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or transcripts@germanna.edu. Credit will be awarded after the student satisfactorily completes all other program requirements. 

EMTs with current Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or Virginia Department of Health may receive college credit. Students must provide an official transcript to Enrollment Services, Germanna Community College, 10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or transcripts@germanna.edu. Credit will be awarded after the student satisfactorily completes all other program requirements. Advanced EMT students must demonstrate competence by passing both the summative cognitive exam and summative scenario-based psychomotor exam to be eligible to take the Advanced EMT certification exam. Incoming AEMT students will be required to pass the same exams to be awarded credit for prior learning.*

* The Germanna EMS Education program intends to both support incoming certified students and ensure that they are adequately prepared to engage in a rigorous course of study. Student readiness will be assessed using the same 2-part competence confirmation exam, which mimics the National Registry Advanced EMT cognitive and psychomotor exams, that we administer to our graduating Advanced EMT students.

For cognitive exams, we utilize EMStesting.com, which is recognized in the EMS industry as an appropriate and valid testing option.

For the psychomotor exam, we observe the National Registry of EMTs Advanced EMT psychomotor exam directives: https://www.nremt.org/Document/aemt-paramedic-psychomotor-exams. Prospective students will demonstrate competence in the nine skills that are required by the National Registry of EMTs.

Incoming Advanced EMT students who are not able to pass the cognitive exam with a 74% (the current numeric standard we observe in all EMS courses) and pass the psychomotor exam within the time allotted will not be eligible for credit for prior learning or advanced standing in the course. Failing one or both exams will require the student to retest both. The earliest a student may re-test is 2 weeks after the first attempt. Additionally, students may have no more than 2 testing attempts in an application period, which is defined as the semester preceding the beginning of a new cohort. These practices are consistent with the guidelines Nursing & Health Technologies programs are currently recommending for all the professions.

Industry Credentials and Certificates

Germanna participated in a project to evaluate professional credentials for academic credit. Some are specifically listed in the table below, although the NCCER, NIMS, and OSHA credentials are lengthy and not listed here.

Guaranteed Admission and Articulation Agreements

The purpose of a Guaranteed Admission Agreement is to insure acceptance of Germanna graduates with an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree, Associate of Science degree and in some cases an Associate of Applied Science Degree who have earned a GPA as specified by the transfer institution. Most colleges will consider students to have met lower division requirements. Admission to a particular academic program may still be competitive.

Transfer Option 1: Guaranteed Admission Agreements

If you graduate with an AA&S or AS transfer degree (and in some cases an AAS) and meet GPA requirements set by each 4-year school, you are guaranteed acceptance at selected public and private 4-year institutions.
You will generally enter with junior status and meet general education or core requirements. However, some 4-year colleges have additional requirements that you must meet. Review these requirements on our Transfer Services website.

Some academic programs or majors within an institution have their own GPA and prerequisite requirements. Further acceptance by the department offering the program is necessary.

Transfer Option 2: Transferring Without an Associate Degree

Most 4-year schools prefer that you complete a minimum of 24-30 credits at GCC before you transfer. If you have fewer than 30 credits when you apply, you will probably have to submit high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores. You also run the risk of losing credits because your GCC coursework will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Be sure to choose courses at GCC that will transfer to the college of your choice!

Transfer Option 3: Transferring to a College that Does Not Have a Guaranteed Admission Agreement with Germanna

Maximize the number of credits that will transfer by completing an AA&S or AS degree. Many colleges accept the AA&S or AS degree in its entirety. Access the college websites and link to Admissions. There, you will be able to find information for prospective transfer students including policies regarding course transferability and VCCS courses that will be accepted.

Transfer Option 4: Transferring to a College Even Though You are Missing Some of the Requirements for Guaranteed Admission

The Guaranteed Admission Agreement is just one way to transfer! If you meet most of the 4-year school’s requirements, then apply as a “regular” transfer student. Admission will not be guaranteed, but chances are you will be a strong candidate for admission.

State Policy on Transfer: The State Policy on Transfer was developed to facilitate transfer between State-supported community colleges and senior colleges and universities. This policy includes the following provisions:

• Each student who satisfactorily completes a transfer degree program at a community college in Virginia should be assured the opportunity to transfer to a state supported baccalaureate institution.
• Transfer admissions priority should be given to students who have completed a transfer degree over those who have not.
• Admission to a given institution does not guarantee admission to particular degree-granting programs, majors, minors, and fields of concentration.
• Admission to specific programs, majors, minors, and fields of concentration may require, for example, a minimum grade point average and specific prerequisite courses.
• Students who have earned an associate degree based upon a baccalaureate-oriented sequence of courses should be considered to have met lower-division general- education requirements of senior institutions.

View all of our Guaranteed Admission Agreements.