Instructional Affairs

General Information

College programs are broadly supervised by the Vice President of Instructional Affairs and Assessment, Dean of Academic Affairs, Dean of Career and Technical Education, Dean of Honors College, and Assistant-Vice President of Instructional Affairs. These administrators are supported by the Vice President of Business Affairs, Vice President of Student Affairs, division chairpersons, and Dean of Workforce College personnel. The College is organized into the following instructional divisions: Business and Technology; Fine Arts; Health, Physical Education, and Recreation; Humanities; Mathematics; Science; Social Science; Agricultural Services; Health and Human Services; Industrial Services; and Associate Degree Nursing.

The College Year

Curricula and courses at Jones College are generally presented within the framework of the semester system. Fall and spring semesters make up the traditional academic year, though students may pursue degree requirements on a year round basis by attending summer 2 week, 4 week, and 9 week sessions.

Student Classification

Students at Jones College are classified as either Freshman or Sophomore. A student is classified as a freshman when they are working toward, or have zero to twenty-nine (0-29) semester hours’ credit. Students who have earned thirty (30) semester hours’ credit and above are classified as sophomores.

Student Academic Responsibilities

All colleges establish certain requirements which must be met before a degree is granted. These regulations concern such things as curricula and courses, majors, and campus residence requirements. Advisors, counselors, faculty, and deans will inform students concerning these requirements, but students themselves are ultimately responsible for being acquainted with regulations and procedures as stated in the Catalog, Student Handbook, and other official publications of the College. For these reasons, it is important for students to be familiar with these publications and remain currently informed throughout their college careers.

Course Load

The minimum course load for full-time students is 15 semester credit hours, and the maximum course load is 19 semester credit hours. Students wishing to enroll in more than 19 semester credit hours must receive approval from the Vice President of Instructional Affairs. In determining their course loads, students should be aware that each hour of class usually demands two hours per week of outside preparation.

Course Changes

Changes in schedules include withdrawal from a course(s) or addition of a new course(s). Beginning the first day of class, students wanting to make course changes must go to Enrollment Services to process the change.

Program Changes

Jones College reserves the right to change its program curriculum at any time during the academic year based on changes in local, state and federal policy. These changes will be approved by JC’s Educational Program Advisory Committee. The most current copy of JC’s Catalog can be found at www.jcjc.edu.

Academic Probation and Suspension

Jones College seeks to provide an environment suitable for promoting the systematic pursuit of learning. The College requires of its students, reasonable academic progress. The retention of those students who repeatedly demonstrate a lack of ability, industry, maturity, and preparation would be inconsistent with this requirement. If a course is repeated, only the hours and the best grade are used in computing the grade point average.

Academic probation and suspension regulations apply equally to all students. Suspensions may be appealed to the Admissions Committee. If an appeal is denied, the student may then follow DUE PROCESS PROCEDURES as outlined in the Student Handbook.

Academic Probation

Academic probation officially recognizes that a student is making unsatisfactory progress and is in need of help. Academic probation is designed to serve a four-fold purpose: to indicate that the quality of academic achievement is below the standards required in progressing satisfactorily toward graduation or transfer, to make clear to all concerned of the shortcomings of a student’s performance, to provide occasion for necessary counseling, and to give students the opportunity to demonstrate adequate performance.

Academic Probation Regulations

1. Students whose term grade point average at the end of any semester is below a 1.75.
2. Students currently on probation whose term grade point average is below a 2.0 will remain on academic probation.

Students placed on academic probation will be required to meet the Admissions Committee for academic counseling at the beginning of the subsequent semester. Probation may be lifted by achieving a 2.0 term GPA the subsequent semester.

Academic Suspension

Academic suspension is a penalty imposed after a student has been allowed every reasonable opportunity to make satisfactory progress. The academic suspension period will provide an opportunity for students to reconsider their approaches to a college career or to make necessary adjustments in attitudes concerning the academic demands of college life.

Academic Suspension Regulations.

1. Students whose term grade point average is below 1.5 while they are on academic probation.
2. Students who remain on academic probation for three consecutive semesters.
   1. A first suspension will be for one semester. (Does not include summer)
   2. The second suspension will be for one calendar year.

Readmission Procedures

Readmission is initiated through the Admissions Committee. Procedures are outlined in the Student Handbook.

VIOLATIONS OF CODE OF CONDUCT AND/OR PROGRAM STANDARDS MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

Withdrawal From College

The permanent record of a student withdrawing from the College is not complete until they have officially withdrawn. The correct procedure is to consult with the Enrollment Services to secure and complete an official withdrawal form. The withdrawal will then become part of the student’s permanent record. Students who leave school without following this procedure will be subject to all applicable tuition and fees. Students should withdraw in person and see that their withdrawal forms are signed by the proper officials. However, in extenuating circumstances, students may withdraw by completing the process through Enrollment Services by contacting them face to face, phone, or email.

Course Repeats

Students may repeat courses at Jones College to improve their GPAs. The best grade earned in a course will be the official grade. Students repeating a class taken prior to 1985 should contact the Admissions and Records Office to insure the best grade earned will be the official grade. Students should be aware that senior institutions develop their own acceptance policies on repeats.

JC Begin Again

Jones College encourages the enrollment of previous students who have decided to continue their education. For students whose grades were inadequate during previous enrollment, JC’s Begin Again is a way to dismiss previous grades from consideration when computing grade point average at Jones.

Begin Again requirements:

1. The student must complete a request for Begin Again and submit it to the registrar.
2. Begin Again may be declared only one time.
3. The student must not have been enrolled for five consecutive years (60 months).
4. Federally funded financial aid may still be denied based on old grades. Begin Again GPA calculations are for JC academic matters only.
5. The student will not be allowed to specify the grades that will be forgiven. NO grades prior to the initial Begin Again semester will be counted for graduation or grade point average calculation. All grades will remain on the transcript with a special notation for forgiven grades.
6. Student must enroll and complete one successful semester at Jones before Begin Again calculations will take effect.
7. Other colleges or universities may not honor the Begin Again GPA. Please check with individual institutions for their policies.
8. A student who has received a degree or certificate is not eligible for Begin Again.
9. The registrar is responsible for providing the necessary interpretations on questions not expressly answered in this policy.

Auditing Courses

Students may be permitted to audit courses depending upon available space. Fees for auditing a course are the same as for regular registration for a course. Students interested in auditing a course should contact the Vice President of Instructional Affairs.

Credit for Course Work

Transfer Credit

All course work transcribed at a regionally accredited institution will be placed on a student’s permanent record as maintained by this college. The Admissions and Records Office will notify transfer students of the amount of the credit which will transfer prior to the end of the first term in which they are enrolled. All grades of “D” or above will be accepted as hours attempted and passed. Developmental course work (classes considered below college level) transferred from outside institutions cannot be applied as hours passed toward a degree. Credit earned at a non-regionally accredited institution will not be recognized for transfer credit.

Students must maintain an accumulative GPA of 2.0 or above when all transfer courses used to meet degree requirements are averaged with course work completed at Jones College.

Credit By Examination

Jones College will allow students to earn credit by examination under one or more of the following programs for up to a total of 30 semester hours:

1. College Level Examination Program - General Examination 
   Jones College will allow credit examination to those students who have been out of high school for at least 3 years and have never enrolled in a college level class for the General Examination area. The Admissions and Records Office will determine a person’s eligibility to receive credit. A student who has earned over 30 semester hours of college credit may not earn additional credit through the use of this examination. Credit will be granted for successful completion of the examination in the following manner:
    

   CLEP Exam	JC Equivalent
   American Government	PSC 1113
   US History I	HIS 2213
   US History II	HIS 2223
   Biology	BIO 1114
   Business law	BAD 2413
   Calculus	MAT 1613
   Chemistry	CHE 1214
   College Algebra	MAT 1313
   College Composition	ENG 1113
   Spanish	MFL 1213
   Information Systems & Computer Applications	CSC 1123
   Principles of Macroeconomics	ECO 2113
   Principles of Microeconomics	ECO 2123
   Sociology	SOC 2113
   Trigonometry	MAT 1323
   Western Civilization I	HIS 1113
   Western Civilization II	HIS 1123

   
   Listed below are the CLEP exams accepted for credit and applied toward graduation at Jones Junior College. Credit is awarded for test scores of 50 and above.
   
   Note: CLEP credit awarded by Jones College may not be accepted by other educational institutions. Students should consult transfer institutions to determine acceptable credit.
2. Advanced Placement Program 
   Students from cooperating high schools can earn up to 18 semester hours with no more than 6 semester hours or 2 courses in one subject-matter area through the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program. The awarding of credit is administered by the Admissions and Records Office. Letter grades are not assigned. “Pass” (P) appears on the transcript for courses in which Advanced Placement credit is earned. Credit awarded is based on the following scores:
   
   Listed below are the Advanced Placement exams accepted for credit and applied toward graduation at Jones College. No credit is awarded for a score of 1 or 2. Three hours of credit are typically awarded for a score of 3 and six hours awarded for scores of 4 or 5 if the course is part of a two part series.
    

   AP Exam	JC Equivalent
   Art, Drawing	ART 1313, 1323
   Biology	BIO 1114, 1124
   Chemistry	CHE 1214, 1224
   Computer Science	CSC 1123
   Economics, Macro	ECO 2113
   Economics, Micro	ECO 2123
   English Language and Composition	ENG 1113
   US Government and Politics	PSC 1113
   United State History	HIS 2213, 2223
   World History	HIS 1113, 1123
   Calculus AB, BC	MAT 1613, 1623
   Spanish Literature and Culture
   Level I	MFL 1213, 1223
   Level II	MFL 2213, 2223
   Physics B or C	PHY 2414, 2424
   Psychology	PSY 1513

   
   Note: Some Advanced Placement tests cover such specific and well-defined areas that only 3 semester hours credit may be awarded despite a score of 5. Advanced Placement credit awarded by Jones College may not be accepted by other educational institutions. Students should consult transfer institutions to determine acceptable credit.
3. Credit By Examination-Nationally Recognized Credentials 
   Credit-By-Examination (CBE) provides multiple entry points into a number of Career and Technical programs as a non-duplicative sequence of technical skill proficiency for programs aligned to nationally recognized credentials. Where possible, CBE provides a career pathway into credit-bearing postsecondary CTE programs and attainment of an industry recognized credential, certificate, diploma, or degree. In order for CBE participants to gain college credit, he/she must meet college admission standards for the career or technical program in which he/she is entering. For those who have successfully completed the nationally recognized credential, the participant will provide documented proof of a valid and current certification or credential. The credit will be awarded after the student completes one semester in the same program in which the CBE applies. To determine if a program offers CBE services, please refer to that particular program in the college catalog.

Experiential Learning

Jones College will award credit to veterans after an evaluation by the Office of Admissions and Records. As an accredited institution and a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Jones College is the final authority for assessing and transcribing credit for military training and experience. Jones College’s established policy for the assessment and transcription of credit for military training and experience supersedes ACE credit recommendations and those of any other organization.

Award of credit for military training and experience is based upon official documentation. Acceptable documents for assessment of military training and experience are: Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript (AARTS), and Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART) System.

Note: The Community College of the Air Force is a SACSCOC accredited school and therefore is treated as college transfer work. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all records.

Documentation becomes part of the student’s academic record and becomes the property of Jones College. All documentation will be submitted to and evaluated by the Registrar’s Office.

The Registrar’s Office will determine credit as being career, technical, or academic in nature as well as the number of credit hours awarded to the student. If a student plans on using credit toward the Associate of Applied Science degree, Technical Certificate, or Career Certificate, the student’s primary instructor must complete any appropriate course substitution forms.

Credit will not be placed on the student’s transcripts until the student has completed 12 semester hours.

Evening Classes

An evening college program is offered throughout the year. This program is diversified to meet the needs of students served by the College.

Distance Education

The Jones College (JC) eLEARNING program has removed the barriers of location and time, making a college education accessible and affordable for every student at any age. Distance learning courses allow students who do not have the flexibility to attend traditional on-campus classes to pursue their educational goals. Distance learning courses also offer students taking on-campus courses a more flexible class schedule. Distance education allows everyone the opportunity to access higher education.

eLEARNING at JC is delivered through Canvas with educational support for each student. Students will work independently at their own pace and interact through various communication tools and technologies. Except for exams, regular campus attendance is not required.

JC is a member of the Mississippi Virtual Community College (MSVCC), which provides internet-based courses statewide. MSVCC is a consortium of Mississippi’s junior/community colleges. Through MSVCC, students may take courses from the other community/junior colleges while getting support services from JC, as long as the course is in the course catalog. To take a course from another (remote) college, a student enrolls at a local (JC) junior/community college. The local college provides the best of on-campus support with student services, including advisement and counseling, financial aid, and learning resources. The remote college provides the course and instruction while the local college awards the credit for the course.

Jones offers two formats for distance education - online and hybrid.

onDemand (flexible/short term classes)
4 and 8 week options available

Grading System

Grades and Credit Hours

Credit for each course is awarded in terms of semester hours. The number of credit hours awarded for each course normally conforms to the number of contact class hours per week. An exception occurs in laboratory and clinical work. Two hours of lab is a one credit hour value and three hours clinical is a one credit hour value. Credit hours for courses will be granted at the completion of each semester. Partial credit will not be granted for any period during the semester.

The following possible grades and corresponding quality represent the instructor’s final evaluation of a student’s performance in a course:

A - Excellent; 4 quality points per semester hour
B - Good; 3 quality points per semester hour
C - Average; 2 quality points per semester hour
D - Below Average; 1 quality point per semester hour
F - Failure without privilege of re-examination; 0 quality points U - Audit; 0 quality points
I - Incomplete; must be removed within six weeks as directed by the instructor or grade becomes an “F”
W -Withdrawn on or before designated date according to the college calendar

A grade report of “I” (incomplete) at the end of any course represents failure to complete some of the requirements of the course. An “I” requires the subsequent completion of all requirements in the course within six weeks following the end of the semester in which the course was taken; otherwise, a grade of “F” is automatically recorded. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange with his/her instructor for completion of course requirements in accordance with this regulation.

Divisions within the College must establish standards of performance expressed in percentages and inform students of grading procedures for each class.

Examinations

The final examination schedule is published at the end of each semester, and students will be given a comprehensive final examination based on course objectives.

Grade Point Average

For the purpose of graduation, students must obtain a “C” average, which according to the grade point system adopted, would be a 2.0 average. This average is figured on the total quality points earned divided by the total number of semester hours attempted. Grades of “W,” “WP,” or “U” do not count in the grade-point average. All other courses attempted are included in the average.

Grade Reports

Students are notified of their academic status at mid-term of each semester. Faculty advisors are available to advisees to discuss academic performance. At the end of each semester, grade reports are made available to students through their online account. Appeals associated with final grades must be received in writing by the Vice President of Student Affairs within 30 days following the end of the term in which the grade was assigned.

Honors

At the end of each semester, special recognition is given to students for outstanding academic achievement. Honors are based on grade point averages.

President’s List - 4.0 Deans’ List - 3.5 or above Faculty List - 3.0 or above

General Education Core Competencies For Graduates Are As Follows:

Critical Thinking - Students will demonstrate competency in applying critical thinking skills to solve problems, make informed decisions and interpret events.
Mathematical Reasoning - Students will demonstrate competency in mathematical reasoning through mastery of understanding and reasoning necessary for solving math problems.
Communications - Students will demonstrate competency in written and oral communication through mastery of the mechanics of writing and organizational skills.

Graduation Requirements

Students may pursue courses of study and complete requirements for an Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, Technical Certificate, or a Career Certificate. Each student must file an application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office.

1. To graduate from the College with an Associate in Arts degree, students must:
   1. Earn 60 semester hours including PSY 2553 , 3 hours; English composition, 6 hours; humanities, 9 hours (at least 3 hours in fine arts); social science, 6 hours; college algebra or higher lever math, 3 hours; laboratory science, 8 hours; and electives subject to approval to complete the total hours required.
   2. Developmental courses will not count toward graduation requirements.
   3. Earn a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA on all work attempted at JC. (Quality points earned from another institution will not make up quality point deficiency for graduation).
   4. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above when all transfer courses used to meet degree requirements are averaged with course work completed at Jones College.
   5. Complete 25 percent of semester credit hours through Jones College.
2. To graduate from the College with an Associate in Applied Science degree, students must:
   1. Complete requirements from an outlined curriculum stated in a specified catalog not more than three years old. Note that developmental courses will not count towards graduation requirements.
   2. Successfully complete SSP 1002 - Smart Start Pathway .
   3. Earn a minimum 2.0 GPA.
   4. Complete 25 percent of semester credit hours through Jones College. Credit hours generated by work-based learning experience may be substituted for required courses to meet graduation requirements. The number of hours substituted will be restricted to a maximum equivalent to the hours generated by any two major field technical courses. Substitutions must be approved by the Dean of Career and Technical Education or the Vice President of Instructional Affairs.

Exception: Any deviation from the above-stated requirements must have the approval of the Dean of Career and Technical Education or the Vice President of Instructional Affairs.

3. To graduate from the college with a Career Certificate, students must:
   1. Satisfactorily complete the prescribed certificate program as outlined in a catalog not more than three years old.
   2. Successfully complete SSP 1002 - Smart Start Pathway .
   3. Earn a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Credit hours generated by work-based learning experience may be substituted for elective courses. Substitutions must have the approval of the program’s Dean or the office of Instructional Affairs.

Policies Relating to Veterans

The following minimum standards of progress and attendance will apply to all veterans under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 1606, and 1607 and VRAP of Title 38, United States Code. The policies are in compliance with directives outlined by the State Veterans Affairs Approving Agency, dated February 26, 1976, and further amended. To be eligible for VA educational benefits, the veteran must meet the requirements and adhere to the policies established by the Veterans Administration and the State Approving Agency. These requirements may differ somewhat from the policies established by Jones College; however, the veteran must adhere to policies established for all Jones College students.

1. All school records and accounts pertaining to veterans and eligible persons will be readily available for examination by state and federal officials.
2. No student will be certified until entrance requirements established by Jones College have been met. The Vice President of Enrollment Management will be responsible for insuring that students have met the entrance requirements.
3. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires Jones College to have on file an official transcript from each college/university that the student previously attended. If the student has never attended a college/university, an official high school/GED transcript is required. Students meeting Jones College entrance requirements, but who do not have an official transcript for each previously attended college/university on file, may be certified to the Department of Veterans Affairs for two semesters. After two semesters, students who fail to provide an official transcript for each school previously attended will no longer be eligible to have classes certified to the VA.
4. A written record will be maintained by the Vice President of Enrollment Management and will indicate the previous education and training of veterans or eligible persons. When students are admitted to Jones College, they must declare their intended educational objective with the Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official.
5. The Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official will certify to the Veterans Administration only those courses in which the student enrolls that are applicable to the student’s educational objective stated on the Veterans Affairs Request for Enrollment Certification Form. Students requesting to be certified must complete the Request for Enrollment Certification each semester with the Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official. Career students will not be certified for any cooperative education course.
6. Students utilizing GI Bill Educational Benefits may enroll in a Career Certificate program, Associate in Applied Science degree program, or an academic degree program. Students who enroll in an academic degree program may enroll in a general Associate in Arts degree program and will follow the curriculum outlined in the general graduation requirements.
7. A permanent record will be maintained to show the student’s progress or lack of progress for each semester attempted Students utilizing GI Bill Educational Benefits are required to make satisfactory progress toward degree requirements. Students who do not make satisfactory progress will be placed on scholastic probation or suspension, as defined per the regulations below.

Academic Probation Regulations

1. Students whose term grade point average at the end of any semester is below a 1.75.
2. Students currently on probation whose term grade point average is below a 2.0 will remain on scholastic probation. Students placed on scholastic probation will be required to meet the Admissions Committee for academic counseling at the beginning of the subsequent semester. Probation may be lifted by achieving a 2.0 term GPA the subsequent semester.

Academic Suspension

Academic suspension is a penalty imposed after a student has been allowed every reasonable opportunity to make satisfactory progress. The scholastic suspension period will provide an opportunity for students to reconsider their approaches to a college career or to make necessary adjustments in attitudes concerning the academic demands of college life.

Academic Suspension Regulations

1. Students whose term grade point average is below 1.5 while they are on scholastic probation.
2. Students who remain on academic probation for three consecutive semesters.
   1. A first suspension will be for one semester. (Does not include summer)
   2. The second suspension will be for one calendar year.
      8. Failure of the student to notify the Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official in writing within one week of the occurrence of any change in his/her status that will affect the veteran’s eligibility to receive VA education assistance in whole or in part may result in the termination of the student’s certification due to unsatisfactory conduct.
      9. The attendance policy for students utilizing GI Bill Educational Benefits will be the same as that required for all Jones College students. Attendance requirements are found in the current Jones College Catalog. The Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official is notified in writing when a student has accumulated excessive absences as reported by the student’s instructor. The achievement of excessive absences as reported by the student constitutes unsatisfactory conduct, and the student’s certification will be immediately be terminated unless the student appears before the Student Affairs Committee and is, with the approval of the Vice President of Student Affairs, allowed to continue enrollment for the semester or term. The Vice President of Student Affairs will notify in writing the Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official of the decision and that of the Student Affairs Committee.
      10. When a veteran or eligible person fails to pay the fees owed to Jones College in the time that has been specified by the Vice President of Business Affairs, the veteran’s certification will be terminated due to unsatisfactory conduct. The Vice President of Business Affairs will notify the Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official in writing of the student’s nonpayment of fees, and the veteran’s certification will immediately be terminated.
      11. When any student has been found to be guilty of any misconduct not here before mentioned, the Vice President of Student Affairs will notify in writing the Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official, who will immediately terminate the certification of the veteran due to unsatisfactory conduct.
      12. When any student has been found to be guilty of any misconduct not here before mentioned, the Vice President of Student Affairs will notify in writing the Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official, who will immediately terminate the certification of the veteran due to unsatisfactory conduct.
      13. Tuition and fees for Veterans and dependents utilizing the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33, will not be certified to the Department of Veterans Affairs until after the sixth week of the semester.
      14. The Veterans Affairs Office utilizes the JC Email System as an official means of communication.