Graduation With Honors | President's Honor List | Recommended Course Load | Class Attendance

Classification of Students | Final Examinations | Credit from Non-Traditional Sources | Acceleration Mechanisms

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) | Advanced Placement | Correspondence and Extension Courses

International Baccalaureate | Credit by Assessment of Prior Learning/Experiential Learning Program (ELP)

Three-Year Baccalaureate Program | Cooperative Education | Weekend College and Weekend Computer Institute

Home Campus | Eligibility for Intercollegiate Athletics

Graduation With Honors

Each student graduating with an associate degree from St. Petersburg College with a grade point ratio of 3.3 or higher on all college work will receive a special notation on their diploma indicating they have been graduated with honors.

There are two categories of "Honors" for graduation:

"High Honors" is awarded when the student has earned a grade point average of 3.8 or higher on all St. Petersburg College work and, if the student has earned college credit elsewhere, has a combined grade point average on all college work of 3.8 or higher.

"Honors" is awarded when the student has earned a grade point average of 3.3 or higher on all St. Petersburg College work and, if the student has earned college credit elsewhere, has a combined grade point average on all college work of 3.3 or higher.

President's Honor List
(College Policy 6Hx23-4.491)

Students achieving a GPA of at least 3.3 each session and completing at least 12 academic hours for Sessions I and II and at least 9 academic hours for Session III, shall be included in the President's Honor List.

Recommended Course Load

The maximum recommended course load is 18 semester hours of credit in Sessions I and II and 12 semester hours of credit in Express Sessions or Session III. Under extenuating circumstances, students may, with the consent of a counselor or advisor, take additional credit hours.

All credit courses show a specified number of credits that generally indicate the amount of work required. A 3 credit lecture/discussion course normally meets 3 clock hours per week during the 16 week sessions. More clock hours per week are required during the abbreviated terms such as the Express and Summer sessions. Despite some variation in the out-of-class work required to succeed in individual classes, 2 hours outside of class for every hour in class is the normal expectation. That means that a student taking a 15 credit hour course load (during Sessions I or II) will need to devote a total of 45 hours each week to his/her academic effort.

Dedicated students who are working half-time often succeed with a 12-17 hour load but few students are able to work full-time and succeed in a full-time course load. Students who are working, or have other similar obligations, should consider the following scale as they make decisions about their schedules:

For further information see BOT Rule 6Hx23-4.161.

Class Attendance
(College Policy 6Hx23-4.30)

It will be the responsibility of each instructor to insure that all students are informed of his/her class attendance and excessive absence policy in writing via the course syllabus. The instructor determines when the absences of a particular student have become "excessive." It is also the responsibility of the instructor to take regular attendance for students enrolled in his/her class(es) and promptly report in writing to the center or campus admissions/registration/business office any student in violation of that policy.

Regular class attendance is expected of all students. When absent for less than a week because of illness or other emergencies a student should notify, or have someone notify, the appropriate instructors. In the case of extended absences of a week or more, the student should notify, or have someone notify, the office of the associate provost.

The effect of absences upon grades is determined by the instructor. It is important that the student become aware of each instructor's attendance and excessive absence policy. If any student violates the instructor's attendance and excessive absence policy, the instructor will notify the student records office to withdraw the student and assign a grade pursuant to BOT Rule 6Hx23-4.31. Any student withdrawn for excessive absences will receive notification of such action.

For an instructor who fails to provide a syllabus or who fails to include in his/her syllabus an attendance and excessive absence policy, the instructor and student shall be bound by the following:

Absences exceeding 20% of the scheduled class hours shall be considered excessive.

The instructor shall withdraw the student and assign a grade pursuant to BOT Rule 6Hx23-4.31.

Any student withdrawn for excessive absences will receive notification of such action.

Veterans should read the attendance paragraph under the Veterans Information section.

Classification of Students
(College Policy 6Hx23-4.16)

Students are classified according to the number of semester hours of credit they have earned and the number of semester hours they are carrying. Listed below are the requirements for the respective classifications:

Full-time student — An enrollee carrying 12 semester hours or more during a regular session (Session I or II) or 9 semester hours or more during Session III (summer).

Part-time student — An enrollee carrying fewer than 12 semester hours during a regular session (Session I or II) or fewer than 9 semester hours during Session III (summer).

Freshman — An enrollee who has fewer than 24 semester hours of earned credit.

Sophomore — An enrollee who has between 24 and 59 semester hours of earned credit.

Junior — An enrollee who has between 60 and 89 semester hours of earned credit meeting the admission requirements for admission into the upper division.

Senior — An enrollee admitted into the upper division who has 90 semester hours or more of earned credit toward a bachelor degree.

Final Examinations
(College Policy 6Hx23-4.19)

The giving of the final examination shall be left to the discretion of the individual instructor, with the concurrence of the program director; however, students averaging an "A" or "B" may be exempt from the final examination by obtaining permission from the instructor.

All final examinations will be administered according to the published schedules.

Credit from Non-Traditional Sources
(College Policy 6Hx23-4.17)

Section 240.4015, Florida Statutes, requires the Articulation Coordinating Committee (ACC) to establish passing scores, course and credit equivalents for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. Public community colleges and universities in Florida are required to award credit for AP, IB, and CLEP as designated in the ACC Guidelines no later than the beginning of the 2003-2004 academic year. The ACC Guidelines also address other credit-by-exams such as DANTES/DSST and Excelsior College exam equivalents as authorized by the State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.024.

St. Petersburg College is committed to accepting and granting of college credit based upon the ACC Guidelines. Specific exams, passing scores and course equivalents are published by SPC's Central Records office and information related to credit granted can be obtained in the campus testing and advisement offices. The maximum amount of credit which may be granted from all sources of non-traditional credit is 45 semester hours. This also includes correspondence or extension courses as well as the Experiential Learning Program (ELP). In instances where students utilize only one source of non-traditional credit, the maximum amount of credit which may be accepted, is as follows:

Acceleration Mechanisms
(College Policy 6Hx23-4.28)

A variety of methods are available to students who wish to receive the associate degree in less than the usual two calendar years. The opportunities for time-shortened degrees at St. Petersburg College include the following:

1. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
2. Advanced Placement (AP)
3. Correspondence and Extension Courses
4. International Baccalaureate (IB)
5. Credit by Assessment of Prior Learning/Experiential Learning Program (ELP)

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College participates in the selected subject examination program. Decision as to acceptability of subject examinations is made by Educational and Student Services, within the restrictions imposed by Paragraph 6A-14.031(1)(a), State Board of Education Regulations.

The acceptable examinations, minimum acceptable scores for each examination, the course(s) for which credit will be granted and the number of semester hours credit for each examination are published in the "College-Level Examination Program at St. Petersburg College" brochure by the Central Records' Office.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced placement examinations are a special program of the College Entrance Examination Board offering special instruction to high school seniors. The examination must have been taken while the student was still enrolled in high school. Advanced placement credit is treated as transfer credit. Credit will be granted to students who achieves scores of 3, 4 or 5 on one or more of the Advanced Placement Program examinations. Such credits will be transferable to institutions of higher education within the State of Florida which participate in the State Advanced Placement Program.

Correspondence and Extension Courses

A maximum of 15 semester hours of correspondence and extension credit may be accepted, provided:

• The course was administered by an accredited institution.
• The credit is acceptable by the institution conducting the correspondence or extension course toward one of the degrees.

None of the final 15 semester hours toward graduation may be through correspondence.

Students expecting to transfer correspondence credit to another institution should become familiar with that institution's acceptance policy.

St. Petersburg College does not offer correspondence courses.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

St. Petersburg College will grant college credit to a student who presents a score of 4, 5, or 6 on one or more of the International Baccalaureate examinations. Credit thus granted by St. Petersburg College is transferable among Florida institutions of higher education participating in the statewide articulation agreement.

Credit by Assessment of Prior Learning/Experiential Learning Program (ELP)

Credit may be awarded under this area for learning in a discipline or program area(s) offered by the College. The assessment of learning shall take place through means consistent with generally accepted techniques of measuring college level learning. The techniques may include written and oral examinations, portfolio evaluations, interview assessments and project or product evaluations. In addition, other methods of evaluation shall include use of ACE guidebooks, DANTES, the MOS Specialty Guide, the CAEL Guide and correlation of military training with college-level credit. Experiential Learning Program (ELP) replaces internal/challenge exams and other methods of evaluating and crediting prior learning. The discipline program directors, by college wide agreement, will determine which courses within the curriculum of the department may be eligible for assessment through experiential learning. The College limits the credit earned through the Experiential Learning Program for A.S., A.A.S. and Certificate programs to 50% of the major/core courses. If a student can demonstrate prior learning, the College will award credit for achievement rather than have the student repeat the learning sequence. Information concerning such assessments may be secured from the associate provost, center administrator or the Experiential Learning Office on each campus.

When the student completes the assessment, the ELP Office will notify the student of the outcome. A grade of "P" will be recorded for the course if credit is awarded.

A student may not be registered for a course and be simultaneously evaluated for his/her prior learning of that course.

Pursuant to State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.054, matriculation and tuition fees shall not be charged for the assessment of prior learning or the awarding of credit based on prior learning or the awarding of credit based on prior learning, regardless of whether the prior learning was acquired through instruction provided by the College or through instruction or experience external to the College.

Students who are evaluated for the assessment of prior learning shall be charged a fee as prescribed in BOT Rule 6Hx23-5.17 Student Fees.

For information call the Career Development Centers at the Clearwater Campus (727)791-2680; Seminole Campus (727)394-6108; SPC Downtown (727)893-9586; St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus (727)341-4640; or Tarpon Springs Campus (727)712-5761 or 938-3744.

Three-Year Baccalaureate Program
(Fast Track BA Program)

Students in Pinellas County may participate in a special joint program that will permit them to obtain their bachelor's degree within 3 years after graduation from high school. The Fast Track BA program, which offers an opportunity to specialize in many different majors, is a joint offering by the Pinellas County Schools, St. Petersburg College and the University of South Florida at St. Petersburg. Participants in the Three-Year Baccalaureate Program must participate in the Dual Credit, Early Admission, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate Programs offered through the Pinellas County School System.

Cooperative Education (Practical Training)

Cooperative Education is a planned method of instruction which provides students with degree-related, supervised, evaluated practical training work experiences. The work experience must be applicable to the desired Bachelor of Applied Science, Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree in order to obtain college credit.

Co-op students work in full- or part-time jobs related to their major field of study. To participate, students must have completed 12 credit hours and have a 2.0 GPA. The Career Development Centers assist students seeking co-operative education employment. In some cases, students, with the aid of their employer, may be able to use their current career-related position for Cooperative Education.

Advantages to the student include opportunities to earn academic credit, verify their career decisions, and relate classroom learning to the work place.

For more information contact any campus Career Development Center, or call the Clearwater Campus (727)791-2680; Seminole Campus (727)394-6108; SPC Downtown (727)893-9586; St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus (727)341-4640; or Tarpon Springs Campus (727)712-5761 or 938-3744.

Weekend College and Weekend Computer Institute

Weekend College provides opportunities for students to take academic courses for credit in many subject areas. These credit courses are scheduled to meet each Friday evening or each Saturday throughout Sessions I and II, thus providing an opportunity for persons who are busy during weekdays or evenings to work toward degree requirements at convenient times.

Weekend Computer Institute allows for twp concentrated, intensive periods of study over one or two Saturdays.

For additional information, contact the Clearwater Campus (727)791-2557/2625; the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus (727)341-4327/4724; the Seminole Campus (727)394-6551; or Tarpon Springs Campus (727)712-5750 or 938-3744.

Home Campus
(College Policy 6Hx23-4.21)

Students are required to select a home campus, either Clearwater, Seminole, St. Petersburg/Gibbs or Tarpon Springs at the time of application.

Eligibility for Intercollegiate Athletics
(College Policy 6Hx23-4.18)

Eligibility for participation in intercollegiate athletics is in accordance with requirements determined by the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Florida Community College Activities Association. An athlete must be enrolled as a full-time student (12 semester hours) to participate. A new student with no other college experience must pass at least 12 credit hours in the first term with a 1.75 GPA. All other continuing eligibility is based upon the completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours per term with a 2.0 grade point average (GPA). To be eligible for a second season of participation, a student must also have accumulated a minimum of 24 semester hours with at least a 2.0 GPA. Transfer students from other Junior Colleges must meet transfer regulations within the NJCAA and FCCAA guidelines. Transfers from 4-year schools are eligible if they adhere to the academic requirements listed above.

In addition to these requirements, a student shall not be eligible to participate in a particular sport if the student has previously competed for 2 seasons in that sport at the collegiate level. For additional details regarding eligibility, contact the College's Director of Athletics.