Semester System
The academic year is divided into two semesters and summer sessions. The Fall and Spring semesters offer courses in sixteen (16) weeks, a four (4) week mini session, two eight (8) week mini sessions, and one twelve (12) week late start session. The Summer terms are provided either in a ten (10) week session, an eight (8) week late start session, or two five(5) week sessions. Consult the Schedule of Classes for specific scheduling information.
Semester Hour Credit
Each course listed in the catalog and class schedule is followed by a notation on the number of semester hours it earns. Normally, the number of semester hours earned is based on the number of class, laboratory or shop hours spent under the supervision of the course instructor per week for the semester. Usually one semester hour credit is given for each lecture hour of class per week, for each two hours of laboratory work per week, or for each three hours of shop or manipulative laboratory per week. (A class hour is usually defined as 50 minutes of instruction). Exceptions may be made in cases where specific classification is not feasible.
Course Load/Overload
Students enrolled in a fall or spring semester for 12 or more credit hours are designated as full-time students. Students taking 11 or fewer credits during a fall or spring semester are considered part-time. Students enrolled in the Summer Session for 9 or more credit hours are designated as full-time students for insurance purposes. Students receiving Financial Aid benefits must be enrolled for 12 or more credit hours each semester, including the summer, to receive full benefits. Veteran’s benefits for the Summer-full time is seven (7) hours for the 10 week session or four (4) hours each five (5) week session. Students who are placed on academic probation may be required to take a reduced course load.
Maximum course loads for which students may enroll are as follows:
Fall and/or Spring Semester(s)-Eighteen (18) credit hours except when program requirements determine otherwise.
Summer Term-Thirteen (13) credit hours except when program requirements determine otherwise.
Any exception to maximum course load must be approved by the Director of the Academic Advising Center or the Dean of Student Support Services.
Prerequisites and Corequisites
A prerequisite is a course that must be taken prior to another course. A corequisite is a course that must be taken prior to or concurrently with another course. The college may mandate prerequisites and corequisites to ensure students are prepared to meet the requirements of the course material. Prerequisites and corequisites are identified in the catalog with the course descriptions. Students are responsible for meeting their program requirements, including prerequisites and corequisites. If students sign up for a class and do not meet the prerequisite and/or corequisite requirements they will be administratively dropped from the course.
Students who drop on their own or who are administratively dropped after the first day of class may not be eligible for a full refund. Students are advised to review published course prerequisites and corequisites carefully before enrolling.
Waiver of Prerequisites and Corequisites
The Vice President for Academic Affairs may waive prerequisites and corequisites. Normally, a waiver will be recommended by the appropriate program director and approved by the department chair, dean, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Priority Registration
Currently enrolled students are assigned registration priority to be able to register before new and returning students for an upcoming registration. Registration information is emailed to students’ CFCC email account. Students may register online using Self Service Student Planning. A listing of priority dates and times are listed on the CFCC Records and Registration website.
Auditing Courses
Students who wish to audit courses must register for the audit by following the regular admissions and registration procedures and indicating in writing on an audit form which course(s) they are auditing. Auditing students must meet all course prerequisites. A student who audits a course section shall not displace students enrolling or registering to receive a grade, academic credit, continuing education unit (CEU) or certificate of completion in the course section. If it is determined by the 10% date of the course that a student seeking a grade, credit, CEU, or certificate needs the course, an auditing student may be administratively dropped to allow space for the other student. The student completes the audit form online and it must be approved by the instructor and returned to the Registrar’s Office on or before the course start date but not later than the 10% date of the course. Auditing students receive no credit and are not required to participate in class discussion or take tests. At the end of the term, auditing students will receive a grade of “AU” (Audit) or “SR” (Senior Audit). Tuition and fees for audited courses are the same as those taken for credit. Students will be responsible for paying any/all tuition, fees and/or textbook costs. (Seniors age 65+ who plan to audit a course, please read the “Tuition Waiver for Auditing Seniors” paragraph below.) Changes from audit to credit or credit to audit may only be done during registration and through the last day to add a course for the term. Students should be aware that Financial Aid and Veteran benefits do not pay for audited courses. Audited courses do not transfer.
Seniors (age 65+) who wish to audit a course will follow the same policy and procedure information listed in the “Auditing Courses” paragraph above except that they will receive a waiver of tuition. Auditing seniors are still responsible for paying fees and purchasing any required books and supplies for the course. In order to receive the waiver, seniors must provide proof of age through a driver’s license, state identification card, or other government-issued document. Seniors who receive the waiver are not eligible to change from audit to credit.
