Academic Information

Student Responsibility for Catalog Information

Each student is responsible for being familiar with the information appearing in this catalog. Failure to read the regulations will not be considered an excuse for noncompliance. The College reserves the right to change policies or revise curricula as necessary.

Credit for Prior Learning

With proper assessment, learning outside the classroom can be recognized as part of the educational experience. WITCC acknowledges credit for prior learning through the following methods:

• Transfer of credits with a grade of “C” or better from other post-secondary institutions. (Courses or credits over seven years old may not apply.)
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) General Examinations may be used for elective credit. Subject matter tests may be substituted for appropriate equivalent courses.
• Test-out exams
• Departmental challenge exams
• Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES)
• American Council on Education Credit (ACE)
• Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Board
• Program for Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI)
• Work experience learning
• National Certification (current)
• High School Articulation Agreements

Questions regarding Credit for Prior Learning should be directed to registrar@witcc.edu or in Enrollment Services.

Academic Advising

Academic Advising is “key” to the success of every degree-seeking student at Western Iowa Tech Community College. While enrolled at WITCC, students will need to connect regularly with:

1. Faculty Advisors - Each degree-seeking student will be assigned a faculty advisor from their respective program of study. Faculty Advisors are assigned in the student’s first term at WITCC. Students can find their faculty advisor contact information in the Plan & Schedule section of Student Planning linked in MyWIT’s Academic Self-Service card (Direct Link).The faculty advisor will work directly with each student to ensure progress toward completion of the academic program, as well as registering for the correct courses in the second semester and beyond. The faculty advisor can also serve as a referral source for internships, career field connections, and industry-specific information.
2. Admissions Representatives /Career Navigator - Admissions Representatives and Career Navigators will register students for their first semester of course work at WITCC. They will provide basic information that new students need to get started. They will also be available to assist students during their entire WITCC experience through graduation. All degreeseeking students will be assigned an Admissions Representative/Career Navigator beginning in the first term of attendance. This staff member will serve as an information and referral resource for questions related to career exploration, registration, financial aid, academic tutoring, resume writing, interview skills, just to name a few. Find your assigned Career Navigator at: https://www.witcc.edu/academics/connect-with-advisors/.

Academic success and degree completion is dependent upon the team effort of the student, faculty advisor, admissions representative/career navigator, and other faculty during the course of enrollment at WITCC.

Role of the Student in Advising - The role of the student is to:

1. Consult with the faculty advisor at least once per semester to ensure that progress in the designated program of study is in line with the students plan and timeline for graduation. Students will be expected to make an appointment with the faculty advisor or attend group advising meetings within their respective program of study department if sessions are provided. Students should develop a plan of study in the Student Planning link on MyWIT’s Academic Self-Service card.
2. Consult with the assigned Admissions Representative/Career Navigator at least once per semester to ensure that the program of study and all student record and financial aid information is accurate and up-to-date. The student should set this appointment a minimum of one month prior to the end of each term in order to plan for the upcoming term.

Role of the Faculty Advisor - The role of the faculty advisor is to:

1. Be available for scheduled appointments with the student each semester to assess progress toward completion of the requirements for the degree program.
2. Serve as a resource for industry specific career related questions the student may have.

Role of the Admissions Representative/Career Navigator -

1. Be available for scheduled appointments with the student each semester to ensure that the program of study, student record related items, and financial aid are accurate and up-to-date.
2. Be a referral source to assist students in addressing individual barriers and making the best use of College resources to ensure completion of the program of study.

Policy for Prerequisite Courses

Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites before enrolling in a course. An Academic Dean or chair may waive course prerequisites for demonstrated course equivalency and/or achievement of the course competencies. Contact the Academic Dean/Chair or Registrar for the appropriate form. A grade of C (2.0) or better is required for prerequisites in some professional courses (such as health occupations programs); a passing grade is required for prerequisites in general education courses. Some state and national accrediting agencies may require certain departments to have higher minimum standards.

Independent Study Courses

Independent study courses are defined as WITCC college credit courses that may be taken by a student on an independent study basis due to special circumstances.

A course that is taken on an independent study basis must be a WITCC college credit course that is listed in the college catalog and is required for a student’s program of study. A student enrolled in an independent study course must complete the same course requirements as when it is offered in a traditional class format.

An independent study course will have the same course prefix and number as other similar courses; however, a special section number will be assigned. To register for an independent study, a student must complete a Request for Independent Study form which is available from Academic Deans or Chairs. All academic and registration policies and procedures for college credit courses are applicable to independent study courses.

Alternative Delivery Systems

Online

WITCC belongs to the Iowa Community College Consortium (ICCOC), seven Iowa community colleges who partner to offer courses and programs online via a shared learning management system. The seven community colleges that are members of ICCOC are Eastern Iowa Community College, Iowa Lakes Community College, North Iowa Area Community College, Northwest Iowa Community College, Southeastern Community College, and Western Iowa Tech Community College. 

Hybrid

WITCC offers hybrid courses that combine traditional face-to-face instruction and online technology. Many learning activities in the course are delivered online, reducing the number of face-to-face meetings for students and allowing greater flexibility in their educational pursuits.

Video Presence Classrooms

WITCC offers courses via its Video Presence system that provides fully interactive video and audio to and from classrooms in Sioux City, Denison, and Cherokee. 

Transcript Request Information

Order online 24/7. Go to https://www.witcc.edu/transcripts/.

• There is a $8 charge for each of the following:
  • Transcript Requests
  • Degree Verification
  • Enrollment Verification

     (Payment is required at time of request.)

• You can choose Electronic or Mail delivery. Electronic can be processed immediately. Mail can take up to ten business days to receive.
• You can request one of three processing options:
  1. Send Now: Will send immediately regardless of grades being posted or pending graduation. What you have transcripted at the moment you submit the request is what will be included.
  2. After Grades: Will wait until this semester’s grades have been issued before sending.
  3. After Degree: Will wait until your degree has been awarded for the current term before sending.
• If you need assistance, please contact Parchment at  847-716-3005, M-F 8:00 am - 8:00 pm EST or transcript ordering service at 703-742-7791 or https://www.parchment.com/chat-support

Student Classification

Students taking 12 credit hours or more are classified as full-time students during each semester, fall, spring, and summer. Students who take less than 12 credit hours per semester are classified as part-time students.

Grades

Unit of Credit

Each course carries academic credit based on the total contact hours and the method of instruction. Units of credit are used in determining student grade point averages.

Grading System

Students enrolled in credit courses will be graded by the following letter-grade and point system. These represent various levels of accomplishment and grade points earned.

Grade Point Average

The cumulative grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits in those courses taken at Western Iowa Tech Community College. Grades that do not carry points are not included in the grade point average.

The semester cumulative grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned in a semester by the total number of credits in those courses.

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will be given special recognition during graduation ceremonies for their outstanding achievements. Honors are also noted on the student’s official transcript.

Grade Reports

No grade reports will be mailed to the student’s home address. The student may access grades via MyWIT Student Planning at my.witcc.edu.

Repeating a Course

Students may wish to repeat a previously taken course unless prohibited by the Academic Department. Both courses will be shown on the permanent transcript. Only the latest grade will be computed in the cumulative grade point average.

Veterans should consult with the Veteran’s Advisor in Enrollment Services before repeating any course.

Academic Renewal

Academic renewal permits the removal of credit hours and grades for one or two semesters from a student’s grade point average to allow for improvement of the student’s cumulative GPA.

A student may be granted academic renewal only one time. A student must have completed 12 semester credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.00, or 24 semester credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 following the term(s) for which renewal is sought.

Courses and grades, which are granted academic renewal, will remain on the student’s official transcript, but will be marked with an “O.” These hours and grades will not count toward graduation or be included in calculating the student’s cumulative GPA. Courses which have been considered in granting a previous graduation award are not eligible for Academic Renewal.

Students who are granted academic renewal may be required to pay back some or all benefits received for those courses and terms for which veteran’s benefits or financial aid was received.

Auditing a Course

A student who audits a class is required to pay tuition and other required fees. To audit a class, a student must complete the Audit Permit form within ten (10) days after the class starts. Students who audit a class will receive a grade of “N” but will receive no credit.

Electing Pass/Fail

Some courses may provide an option for students to take a course in a Pass/Fail format.  To enroll in a course as pass/fail, students must notify the Registrar within ten (10) days from the start of the course.  Students will receive either a P (Pass) or Q (Fail) on their official college transcript.  This is not available for all courses and students should confer with advisors regarding the impact of Pass/Fail election on their Grade Point Average (GPA) and program requirements.

Incomplete Grades

To receive an Incomplete (“I”) grade, students must contact their instructor prior to the end of the semester requesting a grade of incomplete. The instructor may assign an incomplete grade only when a student who is doing acceptable  course work is unable to complete the course because of an illness or other extenuating circumstance, i.e., military service, hardship, or death in the immediate family.

If approved, the instructor must complete an Incomplete Grade Agreement form with the student and then submit to their supervisor. This agreement specifies the work to be completed and the specific date the work is due. The due date is at the discretion of the instructor, but may not exceed the end of the next regular semester (fall or spring).

Once work is submitted and reviewed, the instructor will submit a grade change to the Registrar. If the student fails to complete the work by the specified due date, the “I” will be changed to an “F” grade.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all sessions of classes for which they are enrolled. Absences do not excuse the student from meeting the course requirements and the student must take the initiative in making up any missed work as permitted by the instructor. Each instructor will provide policies concerning course attendance. Students who require an extended leave of absence due to extenuating circumstances should communicate directly with their instructors.

Attendance and participation in courses, both on-campus and online, will be monitored and tracked by instructors and advisors. The college may administratively withdraw any student who fails to attend or participate in an on-campus or online course for 14 calendar days. Lack of attendance or participation may also negatively impact the student’s eligibility to receive federal financial aid or may require that funds previously received by the student be returned to the federal aid program. Students who are administratively withdrawn from their courses are responsible for all costs associated with the academic term and will not be allowed to continue to reside in on-campus housing.

Scholastic Recognition

Scholastic recognition is available to students who have completed 12 or more graded semester credits during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students are eligible for the following academic honors.

1. President’s List GPA = 4.0000
2. WITCC Scholar List GPA = 3.5000-3.9999

This scholastic recognition is announced early by the Dean of Students in the following semester.

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will be given special recognition during graduation ceremonies for their outstanding achievements. Honors are also noted on the student’s official transcript.

Honors Program

The WITCC Honors Program consists of intensified course instruction. Faculty and students select a project within the scope of the course for further research or performance. The student completes the project under the tutorial leadership of the course instructor. The student must also achieve a grade of “A” in the class to receive Honors (H) recognition on the transcript and at graduation.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

WITCC students can earn scholastic recognition through membership in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the honor society for two-year colleges. The College chapter, Beta Zeta Mu, provides opportunities for campus and community service, leadership development, and scholarships. Students who qualify for membership, join, and maintain eligibility may wear the PTK gold stole at graduation and have the PTK seal affixed to their diplomas.

The PTK member becomes part of the international organization that offers national scholarships, a study abroad program, and opportunities for honors study.

To be eligible for membership, WITCC students must be in an associate degree program and have earned 12 credit hours or more with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. For further information about Phi Theta Kappa, phone (712) 317-3342.

Academic Awards

Western Iowa Tech Community College grants Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates to those individuals who successfully complete programs of study in Liberal Arts, Science, Business, Vocational, Technical and
Health Sciences.

General Education

Philosophy

Western Iowa Tech Community College’s general education provides breadth of learning to the community college experience. General Education imparts common knowledge, promotes intellectual inquiry, and stimulates the examination of different perspectives, thus enabling people to function effectively in a global and changing world.

General Education is not directly related to an individual student’s technical, vocational, or professional field, but prepares a student to meet personal, social, and lifelong learning needs.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of any degree program, the student should be able to:

1. Communicate effectively
2. Reason quantitatively, and/or qualitatively
3. Think critically and demonstrate information literacy
4. Demonstrate social responsibility

Graduation

Application for Graduation

Students who plan to receive a degree, diploma, or certificate must file an Application for Graduation with Enrollment Services by the filing deadline set for that semester. Submit the application on my.witcc.edu. Look for the Graduation card.

Requirements for Graduation

All degrees, diplomas, and certificates earned at WITCC are based upon the successful completion of a specific prescribed program of study. Refer to the appropriate section in the College catalog for the requirements of each program. It is the student’s responsibility to check the transcript prior to the last semester of study and finalize any transfer of credit to ensure that all the requirements for graduation are met. Students may request a degree audit at any time.

Effective Catalog

The catalog in use during a student’s first enrollment in the College normally is used in determining completion of graduation requirements. The effective catalog may not be more than six years old at the time of graduation. A student may elect to meet the requirements of any subsequent catalog published during the six-year period, including the current year. This election must be made when the student files a graduation application.

A student who has a break in enrollment in the College for two or more consecutive semesters, excluding summer sessions, is readmitted to the College under the catalog program requirements in effect at the time of readmission. The College reserves the right to make necessary course and program changes in order to meet current educational standards.

When a decision is made to inactivate a program, students that currently have that program declared as their major will be notified. Those students will be given an opportunity to complete that program within the next year. Course’s will not continue to be offered beyond one year to complete inactivated programs.

Commencement Ceremony

Students are encouraged to participate in the formal commencement ceremony upon completion of their requirements for degree, diploma, or certificate. Dates of the commencement ceremony are included in the Academic Calendar .

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will be given special recognition during commencement ceremonies for their outstanding achievements. Honors are also noted on the student’s official transcript.

Reverse Credit Transfer

Earn your associates degree or certificate from Western Iowa Tech Community College even after transferring to a four-year institution. Western Iowa Tech students who transfer to a college or university without completing their associates degree are given the opportunity to combine community college and university credits to achieve an associates degree.

HOW TO DO A REVERSE CREDIT TRANSFER

The Reverse Credit Transfer process is simple.

• Have your official transcript sent to Western Iowa Tech Community College.
• Apply for graduation.
• Western Iowa Tech Community College posts your degree.
• There is no cost for official transcript review, degree posting, or commencement ceremony.

Start now by sending your information to transcirpts@witcc.edu so that we can start the process of getting your credits transferred into Western Iowa Tech Community College to complete your degree.

Replacement Diploma

Students needing to order a replacement, diploma, or certificate can do so through the following steps:

• Order online 24/7 at https://www.parchment.com
• Sign in. Create an account, if you do not have one.
• Click on Replacement Diploma and Print.
• There will be a $20 replacement fee for each credential ordered.

Once your order is received, it will be placed with our next group of degree orders.

Transfer Agreements/Colleges and Universities

Western Iowa Tech Community College maintains formal transfer agreements that help ensure that associate degree graduates may transfer a maximum number of credits into a baccalaureate program. Final decisions regarding acceptance at the transfer institution rest solely with that institution. For example, a grade of “D” will rarely transfer if it is earned in a student’s major, and in certain cases, a “D” grade will not transfer under any circumstance. It is very important that students who plan to transfer after completing their studies at WITCC, consult the college of their choice as early as possible in their academic program.

In addition to the formal articulation agreements, many four-year institutions articulate courses with WITCC students upon evaluation of the student’s transcript.

A list of current transfer agreements and links to transfer guides is available at https://www.witcc.edu/international/transferring-to-a-four-year-school/.

(DANTES)/DSST Subject Standardized Tests

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional and Education Support (DANTES)/DSST Subject Standardized Tests¹ and WITCC Equivalent Courses

Mathematics

Social Science

Physical Science

Business

Applied Technology

Humanities

¹ Scaled scores are equivalent to the 50th percentile (national norms).
² In addition to a minimum score of 400 on the multiple-choice test, an examinee must also receive a passing grade on the recorded speech.

(CLEP) Subject Examinations

College-Level Placement Tests (CLEP) Subject Examinations and WITCC Equivalent Courses

¹ A single Spanish or German test covers material normally learned during the first four semesters of college level study. The amount of credit received depends upon test scores as indicated.

(AP) Examinations by the College Board

Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations by the College Board and WITCC Equivalent Courses

Test-Out Opportunities

Business Department Test-Outs:

Tests for the above courses may be taken once each semester in the Testing Center. Contact the Testing Center for an appointment.

General Test-Out:

The test-out is given only once each semester. Contact the secretary for the Associate Dean for Career and Technical Education in room B104 for more details.

Math Department Test-Out:

The test-out of MAT 772​  is available anytime before the term begins and closes 14 calendar days after the term begins. Students must coordinate the MAT 772​  test-out directly with the Comet Learning Center staff. Students may attempt the MAT 772​  test-out only once. See the Math Department or the Comet Learning Center for more details such as procedure to sign up, costs, and times available to test.