A Message From The President: Dr Patricia Skinner Thank you for choosing Gaston College. This is a great place to continue your education whether you’re new to college, planning to transfer to a four-year college or university, returning to achieve career certification to prepare for the job market, or improving your skills. We hope to remain your “College of Choice.” As one of the state’s largest community colleges, Gaston College promotes lifelong learning and economic development by providing high quality educational programs and services. Over 100 programs of study are offered to help you obtain a diploma, certifi¬ cate, or two- year Associate Degree. We offer an exceptional and affordable education that can be tailored to fit your schedule, and you don’t have to travel a long distance to reach one of our three convenient campuses as well as locations throughout Gaston and Lincoln Counties. Our goal is to provide the best possible educational experience for each of our students. A dedicated faculty and staff provide personalized instruction and a supportive learning environment that encourages student success. I invite you to take advantage of all the opportunities available at Gaston College that can enrich your life and the lives of others in our community. Explore our catalog, visit our website (www.gaston.edu), and tour our campuses. Come join us for an exciting learning experience that will change and compliment your future. Sincerely, Patricia Skinner, PhD President, Gaston College General Information GENERAL INFORMATION.1-6 The Gaston College Catalog is a two-year publication Campuses and Phone/Fax Numbers .2 which lists the academic policies and procedures. In 2010-2011 Academic Calendar.5 addition, it includes information for fees, curriculum ADMISSIONS .6-9 requirements, and courses for over 100 programs of Curriculum Courses.6 study, course descriptions, and a listing of administra¬ Economic and Workforce Development tion, faculty and staff at Gaston College. Publication /Continuing Education Programs.9 Notice: This edition of the Catalog was published TUITION AND GENERAL COSTS.9-11 April 2010. General college information and/or Curriculum Courses.9 specific program information may have changed Economic and Workforce Development since this catalog was printed. Go to www.gaston.edu /Continuing Education Programs:.9 and click on the “catalog” link to view the most recent FINANCIAL AID.’.11-16 catalog edition. General Information.12 Federally Supported Programs .13 ABOUT THE COLLEGE State-Supported Programs/Scholarships 14-16 Celebrating nearly 45 years of service, Gaston Veterans Information.16 College is one of 58 community colleges in the North Vocational Rehabilitation .16 Carolina Community College System. In January EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.16-23 1963, the college was granted a charter by the State Economic & Workforce Development of North Carolina, and began its first classes in /Continuing Education Programs.... 16 temporary headquarters in September 1964. The College Transfer Programs .20 college moved to its permanent campus on Highway Associate In Applied Science Degrees 321 between Dallas and Gastonia two months later. Programs Of Study .21-23 Serving both Gaston and Lincoln counties, Gaston Associate in Applied Science Degrees . 21 College enrolls over 6,000 students each term in Diplomas .21 curriculum programs and averages over 16,000 Certificates.22 students annually in its Continuing Education pro¬ DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION.23 grams. Cooperative Education (co-op) .24 Student Employment Services.25 Gaston College Campuses Distance Education .25 and Phone/Fax Numbers University Center At Gaston College.25 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.25-36 Gaston College (Main) Student Responsibilities.25 Dallas Campus Records & Registration.26 201 Highway 321 South Registration For Curriculum Classes . . 28-30 Dallas, NC 28034-1499 Grading System.32 704.922.6200 • FAX 704.922.2323 Graduation.36 STUDENT SERVICES .37-38 Lincoln Campus of Gaston College Counseling and Career Development Ctr.. 37 P.O. Box 600 Bookstores.38 511 S. Aspen Street Student Identification Card.37 Lincolnton, NC 28093 Food Service/Vending.38 704.748.1040 • FAX 704.748.1074 COLLEGE TRANSFER PROGRAMS 39-51 ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE Gaston College East Campus DEGREE PROGRAMS.52-99 and Textile Technology Center DIPLOMA PROGRAMS.99-114 7220 Wilkinson Blvd. CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS.114-132 Belmont, NC 28012 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS. 133-242 704.825.3737 • FAX 704.825.3775 ADMINISTRATION/ FACULTY/STAFF 242-257 Administration. 242-423 Gaston College Website Address: www.gaston.edu Board Of Trustees.242 Gaston College Foundation.243 Faculty/Staff. 243-257 Faculty Emeritus.238 INDEX . 258-260 Gaston College Telephone Numbers.261 CAMPUS MAPS/DIRECTIONS. 262-264 2 General Information Mission Statement diploma or equivalency for individuals seeking to Gaston College is an open-door public community improve basic skills, complete high school require¬ college located in Gaston and Lincoln Counties that ments, prepare for the workforce, or enter post¬ promotes lifelong learning through high caliber, secondary education. affordable, and comprehensive educational programs • Provides continuing education programs for indi¬ and services responding to economic and workforce vidual personal and professional development and development needs. for employee education and training to satisfy the skill development needs of business, industry, and Activities in Support of the Mission public agencies. To accomplish its mission, the College: • Assures quality in all educational programs by measuring performance on a set of well-established • Provides comprehensive Associate in Applied Sci¬ criteria and by identifying and analyzing program ence (A.A.S.) degree programs designed primarily needs. to prepare students to enter the workforce. • Assures quality instruction by establishing ef¬ • Provides diploma and certificate programs consist¬ fective, innovative and professional teaching ing of a sequence of courses that frequently can be practices; by frequent evaluation of instructor ef¬ completed in one year or less by full-time students. fectiveness, and by updating methods, materials, These programs are intended for individuals seek¬ equipment and facilities. ing employment in a specific occupation. • Provides support services for all students, includ¬ • Provides Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in ing specialized services for the disadvantaged, the Science (A.S.) and Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) handicapped and other special needs groups. To degree programs primarily designed to prepare stu¬ enable student success. dents to transfer to a four-year college or univer¬ • Promotes positive relationships with public and sity. private schools, colleges and universities and with • Provides developmental education to prepare stu¬ business and industry. dents for entry into a degree, diploma or certificate • Provides services that support community eco¬ program. nomic, educational and cultural efforts, and which • Provides compensatory education, adult literacy, promote cooperative relationships with the com¬ English as a Second Language, and high school munity. 3 General Information Performance Measures approved modifications to the North Carolina Per¬ In response to a mandate from the NC General formance Measures and Standards, which reduced Assembly (S.L. 1989; C. 752; S. 80), the State the number to eight (8) measures. The results are Board of Community Colleges adopted twelve (12) published annually by the North Carolina Community performance measures to ensure the effectiveness of College System (NCCCS) on the NCCCS Web page community college programs and to provide pub¬ at http://www. nccommunitycolleges. edu/Publications. lic accountability. In 2007, the General Assembly Performance Gaston Measure Description Standard College Progress of Basic A composite measure that includes the percent of students 75% 76% - Met Skills Students progressing within a level of literacy, the percent of students completing a level entered or a predetermined goal, and the percent of students completing the level entered and advancing to a higher level. Passing Rates The percentage of first-time test takers from community 80% 88% - Met on Licensure colleges passing an examination required for North Carolina aggregate and Certification licensure or certification prior to practicing the profession. Exams No exam Did not with pass meet. rate less than 70% Performance of The percentage of associate degree recipients and the 83% 89% - Met College Transfer students who transferred with 24 or more semester hours at Students a community colleges who had a GPA of 2.0 or higher after two semesters at a university. Passing Rates in The percentage of students who complete developmental 78% 80% - Met Developmental English, mathematics, or reading courses with a grade of Courses "C" or better. Success Rate of The percentage of students who take developmental courses 80% 85% - Met Developmental and pass the subsequent college-level courses. Students in Subsequent College-Level Courses Satisfaction The proportion of graduates and early-leavers who are satis¬ 90% 97% - Met of Program fied with the College’s programs and services. Completers and Non-Completers Curriculum A composite indicator of students who complete a program 65% 70% - Met Student or who continue enrollment elsewhere Retention, Graduation and Transfer Client Percentage of individuals who have received Small Business 90% 98% Satisfaction with Center services from a community college indicating that Customized their expectations have been met. Training 4 General Information 2010 - 2011 ACADEMIC CALENDAR Students (ends at noon May 6) Fall Semester 2010 May 4 On Wednesday Attend Monday August 19 Late Fall Registration (8:00am - Classes 6:30pm) May 13 Last Day of Class August 23 First Day of Fall Classes May 16 Start Summer Flex Schedule: September 1 Last Day to Drop Classes with a Monday-Thursday, 8am-6pm 75% Refund May 17 Pay Tuition & Fees for Summer September 6 College Closed: Holiday Semester by Noon October 11-12 Faculty/Student Break (college May 9-13 Final Exam Week closes at 4pm) May 16-20 Faculty/Student Break October 22 Last Day to Petition for Fall TBA Graduation Graduation November 10-18 Advising & Registration for Summer Semester 2011 Spring: Returning Students May 19 Late Summer Registration November 16 Last Day to Withdraw or Audit (8:00am - 6:00pm) Fall Semester May 23 First Day of Full/ November 24 Faculty/Student Break (college First Summer Session Classes closes at 3pm) May 26 Last Day to Drop Classes November 25-26 College Closed: Holiday with a 75% Refund November 30- Advising & Registration for May 30 College Closed: Holiday December 9 Spring: New & Returning June 9 Last Day to Petition for Students Summer Graduation December 14-20 Final Exam Week June 14-23 Advising & Registration for Fall: December 15 Pay Tuition & Fees for Spring Returning Students Semester by Noon June 16 Last Day to Withdraw or Audit December 20 Last Day of Class First 5-week Summer Semester December 21 Faculty/Student Break June 23 Last Day of First Summer December 22-31 College Closed: Holiday Session Classes June 27 First Day of Second Session Spring Semester 2011 July 4 College Closed: Holiday January 1 Holiday Falls on Weekend July 5-7 Faculty/Student Break (observed on 4/21/11) July 20 Last Day to Withdraw or Audit January 3 College Reopens Full Summer Semester Classes January 3-5 Faculty/Student Break July 11-27 Advising & Registration for Fall: January 6 Late Spring Registration New & Returning Students (8:00am - 6:30pm) July 27 Last Day to Withdraw or January 6-7 Student Break Audit Second Summer January 10 First Day of Spring Classes Semester Classes January 17 College Closed: Holiday August 4 Pay Tuition & Fees for Fall January 19 Last Day to Drop Classes Semester by Noon with a 75% Refund August 4 Last Day of Class February 11 Last Day to Petition for August 5-17 Faculty/Student Break Spring Graduation August 12 End Summer Flex Schedule February 28 - Faculty/Student Break (return to regular schedule March 4 (college closes at 4pm) 8/15/11) April 12 Last Day to Withdraw or August 18-19 Student Break Audit Spring Semester April 6-14 Advising & Registration for Summer: Returning Students April 21-25 College Closed: Holiday April 21-26 Faculty/Student Break (college closes at 4pm on 4/26/11) May 2-6 Advising & Registration for Summer: New & Returning 5 Admissions Notification of Nondiscrimination addition to the general admissions requirements, some Gaston College is committed to affirmative action select programs of study require additional applica¬ and equal opportunity in employment and education, tion processes prior to enrollment. Students should and does not discriminate against current or potential consult with faculty and staff within these selective employees or students on the basis of race, color, reli¬ program departments to insure they complete the ad¬ gion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Inquiries ditional program-specific admission requirements. or complaints concerning the college’s affirmative ac¬ tion/equal opportunity policy should be directed to the For all programs, the following steps must be com¬ following individuals: Human Resources Director or pleted before students can enroll. Director of Counseling, 201 Highway 321 South, Dal¬ 1. Complete and submit an online application or las, NC 28034 or call 704.922.6200. paper-based application. Both the online and % a printable paper-based application can be Right to Change found at www.gaston.edu. The Gaston College Board of Trustees and/or 2. Submit an official high school transcript to the Administration of Gaston College reserves the right Office of Admissions at Gaston College, 201 to change at any time and without notice graduation Highway 321 South, Dallas, NC 28034-1499. requirements, fees and other charges, curriculums, In lieu of an official high school transcript, the course structure and content, and other such matters following official documents will be accepted as may be within its control, notwithstanding any for admissions: information set forth in this catalog. Gaston College • Adult high school transcript reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient • GED scores enrollment. Course offerings approved after publica¬ • Official transcript from approved * Corre¬ tion of this catalog are described in class schedules, spondence high school which are issued each semester. 2010-2011 tuition • Official transcript from Home School rates subject to change pending legislative action and along with Home School record(s) approval. • Transcript from a regionally accredited college or university reflecting student ob¬ Student Right to Know tained an Associate degree or higher. The average rate of persistence toward degree * Applicants presenting high school tran¬ completion by students at Gaston College is available scripts from non-regionally accredited in the Student Records Office. schools or institutions not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may not Accreditations and Memberships be eligible for financial aid. In addition, Gaston College is accredited by the Commission on some employers, licensing boards, and Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges credentialing agencies may not recognize and Schools to award associate degrees. Contact the these credentials, even after a student has Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, received course credit or completed a pro¬ Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 gram of study at Gaston College. for questions about the accreditation of Gaston 3. Submit official College and Univer¬ College. sity transcripts from where credit was re¬ ceived. The college’s diploma, certificate and Associate and 4. Schedule and take the Compass Placement Applied Science Degree Programs are accredited by Test that evaluates skills in reading, writing, national accreditation boards, commissions or service and math. The placement test may not be re¬ agencies. Also, the college is in good standing with quired of any person who has scored 500 on over 20 institutional memberships. the verbal or critical reading section and 520 on the math section of the SAT or who has scored 21 on the English section and 21 on ADMISSIONS the math section of the ACT. (All test scores must be less than five years old.) A transfer GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS student who has earned a “C” in both college (for Curriculum Programs leading to an Associate level algebra and college level English from a Degree, Diploma, and/or Certificate) regionally accredited institution shall have the Gaston College subscribes to the open door admission test waived. policy. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age 5. Complete the online New Student Orientation and possess a high school diploma or equivalent. In session. 6 Admissions Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a college work completed. If the original copies of these Gaston College Application for Admission at least transcripts are in a language other than English, an of¬ six weeks prior to enrolling to ensure that their ficial English translation is required. Students whose information is processed. Although applicants may foreign transcripts can not be evaluated by college enroll for one semester without submitting transcripts personnel are responsible for providing a transcript and test scores, this information facilitates advis¬ evaluation from a recognized American transcript ing and smooth registration. Applicants must meet evaluation agency. Proof of English proficiency is all admission requirements before enrolling for the required. This may be established by making a mini¬ second semester. Applicants who decide to enroll mum total score of 76 (internet-based), 207 (comput¬ during a later semester are responsible for contacting er-based), or 540 (paper-based) on the Test of English the Admissions Office to ensure their start semester as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is pub¬ is updated. Applicants applying for financial aid are lished and administered in most countries by the Edu¬ ineligible to receive financial aid while admissions cational Testing Service, P. 0. Box 899, Princeton, NJ files are incomplete. 08541. Transferring from another College Once an international student is admitted to the U.S. Applicants transferring to Gaston College from anoth¬ in F-l status, certain obligations must be met in order er College or University must submit an Application to maintain that status. The international student must for Admission and meet all requirements for general continue to carry a full course of study. This is de¬ admission. fined as undergraduate study at a college or university which consists of at least 12 credit hours per semester. Admissions for Visiting Students In addition to not accepting employment off campus, (Non-degree Applicants) the international student must keep his or her passport Students who wish to register for credit courses, but valid for at least six months. An extension of status who at present have no intention of completing a cur¬ must be applied if the student wishes to remain in the riculum program, will be classified as Special Credit U.S. beyond the period of time for which he or she or visiting students and may be admitted to credit was admitted. F-l students are required to disclose classes with advisor's approval after completing the full and truthfully all information requested by INS admissions process. Students registered as Visiting regardless of whether the information requested is Students may earn a maximum of 15 hours before material. declaring a curriculum major. Tuition and fees are the same as for regular curriculum students. Credits Gaston College is a commuter institution and does earned may be applied to a degree, diploma or cer¬ not have residence halls or student housing for rent. tificate program by submitting a Petition for Major Students are responsible for finding their own hous¬ Change form to the Admissions Office. ing. Transportation to the college must be arranged by the student. Re-Admission Students who have not registered for a two-year pe¬ ALL APPLICANTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED riod are required to re-apply and meet current admis¬ THESE REQUIREMENTS AT LEAST SIX WEEKS sions requirements. PRIOR TO THE SEMESTER FOR WHICH THEY PLAN TO ENROLL. Non-Graduates Non-graduates from high school may apply for cer¬ Policies and procedures for International students are tain certificate and diploma programs in the Trade subject to change in accordance to federal require¬ and Industrial Division. They must take the college’s ments and guidelines. placement test. Non-graduates interested in other classes may register for only two classes as special Huskins Program (College Gateway) non-degree seeking students. Certain classes may be The Gaston College Huskins Program offers qualified restricted. juniors and seniors in Gaston and Lincoln Counties the opportunity to take college courses tuition free International Students during their high school day. The legislation in North International students must meet all admission re¬ Carolina that provides this opportunity is called the quirements listed under General Admission Require¬ Huskins Bill. Students taking Huskins courses are eli¬ ments. All applicants must submit (along with an gible to earn both high school credit and community application) an official or certified copy of their high college credit. school transcript and an official/certified copy of any 7 Admissions Prior to registering for a Huskins course, a student Applicants must be enrolled at least half time at the must be approved by the high school principal. Cri¬ high school and be making progress toward gradu¬ teria used by the principal include attendance in high ation. In the case of courses offered in the summer, school courses, maturity, and grades. For transferable the principal must certify that a student was enrolled courses, an overall “B” average is recommended; for at least half time in high school courses during the career technical courses, an overall “C” average is preceding semester and made appropriate progress to¬ recommended. ward graduation. High school seniors who will gradu¬ ate in May are not eligible to enroll in summer courses Huskins students must meet the same prerequisite and as dual enrollment students. course admission requirements as adult college stu¬ dents; therefore, students may be required to take a Dual enrollment students must meet the same prereq¬ placement test. The COMPASS Placement Test is ad¬ uisites and course admission requirements as adult ministered by Gaston College and used to evaluate a college students; therefore, students may be required student’s readiness for college level work. The place¬ to take the placement test. The college placement test ment test can be waived for students who have scored evaluates skills in reading, writing and math. Dual en¬ 500 or higher on the verbal section and 520 or higher rollment students who have scored 500 on the verbal on the math section of the SAT, or 21 or higher on the or critical reading section and 520 on the math section math and 21 or higher on the English portion of the of the SAT, or who have scored 21 on the English ACT. The placement test is free and can be scheduled section and 21 on the math section of the ACT are not through the high school counselor, or by calling the required to take the college placement test. All course Admissions Office of Gaston College. Additionally, prerequisites apply to dual enrollment students. students must submit a completed Application for Ad¬ mission before being admitted to Gaston College, and Students must obtain a Dual Enrollment Form from all students must meet all academic prerequisites to their high school counselor and complete a Gaston enroll in a college course. Students enrolled in Gaston College Application for Admission. The Dual Enroll¬ College classes pay the appropriate fees, purchase the ment Form must be completed and all appropriate required textbooks, (unless being purchased by the high school signatures must be obtained before reg¬ county), and are treated as all other students. istration. Students must submit the application, test scores, and the Dual Enrollment Form, to the Admis¬ Courses are taught in various locations including the sions Office during the late registration period. Re¬ high schools and on the three Gaston College cam¬ quired Gaston College signatures will be obtained at pus locations in Dallas, and Lincolnton, and Belmont. the time of registration. Home school students must Check with your high school counselor for details on submit the original “Authorization for Home School” specific courses offered at your high school. Transfer form from the state of North Carolina if home school¬ courses receive honors credit. ing was implemented prior to the age of 16. Additionally, any grade of “C” or higher on college Dual enrollment students are allowed to take only transfer courses will be accepted by all North Carolina two courses per semester (not including labs) and are Public Universities and many other in-state and out- not allowed to take courses that are taught in the high of-state colleges following the North Carolina Com¬ school. Dual enrollment students are not permitted to prehensive Articulation Agreement. enroll in developmental courses or courses in selec¬ Huskins courses are college level courses and will tive curriculum programs such as: Associate Degree require outside reading and study time. The courses Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing (LPN-RN), Di¬ are taught as college level courses and some content etetic Technician, Emergency. Medical Science, Med¬ is calibrated for a college-age audience. Students will ical Assisting, Medical Transcription, Phlebotomy, be held responsible for course work covered on days Practical Nursing, Therapeutic Massage and Veteri¬ they are absent. nary Medical Technology. Dual Enrollment Program Learn and Earn Online (LEO) Upon the approval of their high school principal, high Learn and Earn Online (LEO) is a program allowing school juniors and seniors may be admitted as special qualified high school students in Gaston and Lincoln dual enrollment students to appropriate credit and/or Counties to take introductory-level college courses non-credit courses. Dual enrollment students must ONLINE and earn both college AND high school be at least 16 years of age and have completed 10th- credit. The courses are offered during and after the grade English. Applicants are admitted on a space regular school day, and there is no cost to students for available basis into regular classes at the college. tuition or textbooks. 8