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 Catalog - Scholastic Requirements 

Scholastic Load

Twelve semester hours constitute the minimum full-time load. In order to graduate in two years, the normal class load should be 15 to 17 semester hours.

Students in most academic courses are expected to spend two to three hours of preparation for each hour of class.

Maximum Credit Hour Load Procedure

Students are allowed to register for a full-time credit hour load, with counselor/advisor approval, up to the maximums stated below:

Regular Fall/Spring Semester 18 credit hours maximum
Regular Summer Session 9 credit hours maximum
Inter-term Summer and Winter Session   5 credit hours maximum

Any student who wishes to exceed the maximum credit hour load must have approval from the Vice President of Student Services, Director of Counseling, or Director of Admissions. The decision to approve requests to exceed the maximum load would be based upon the student's academic strengths, class and work schedule, and reason for the request.

Student Classification

Freshman:
A student who has completed 29 or fewer semester hours of college work.

Sophomore:
A student who has completed 30 or more semester hours of college work.

Full-time Student:
A student registered for 12 or more semester hours.

Part-time Student:
A student registered for less than 12 semester hours.

Class Schedule Changes (Drop/Add Procedure)

Changes in class schedules may be made during formal registration and the first week of classes. Changes in schedules must be approved by a counselor/educational advisor in writing. Changes made after the first day of class must also be approved by the appropriate instructor.

Course Attendance

To maximize the probability of academic success, students are expected to attend all classes and scheduled laboratories for the courses in which they have enrolled. Attendance exceptions may be made by the course instructor. It is each student's responsibility to become familiar with the attendance expectations of the instructor during the first week of class. Students who do not feel they can meet the attendance expectations for the course should withdraw during the first week of class. An instructor may withdraw students for excessive course absences.

Withdrawal Policy

For classes that meet 5 weeks or longer, students may withdraw from a course up until the end of the week that 75% of the course has been completed (according to course start and end dates). For classes that meet 4 weeks or less, students may withdraw up until the Friday (or end of the week) prior to the end of the course. Since start/end dates vary, withdrawal dates will be posted every semester. It is the student's responsibility to know the dates. Withdrawal dates are posted on the DACC website at www.dacc.edu/ar/withdraw.html.

Non-attendance does not automatically withdraw a student from a class. It is the student's responsibility to withdraw him or herself. Students should contact the Admissions and Records Office or their Academic Advisor/Counselor by phone or in-person to officially withdraw. If receiving financial aid, students are encouraged to seek counseling prior to withdrawing from coursework, as their financial aid may be affected.

Examinations

Students are expected to be present for all examinations unless they are unable to attend due to serious illness, accident, or other reasons beyond the student's control. No fee will be charged to make up hour, mid-term, or final examinations.

Final Examination

The Office of Instruction will authenticate legitimate absences from final examinations. Only serious illness, accident, or other reasons beyond the student's control will be accepted as a legitimate absence. This entitles the student to make up the examination without a grade penalty.

The instructor will make the final decision in cases where the absence has not been authenticated by the Vice President of Instruction. In such cases the instructor has the option of lowering the course grade if the make-up is permitted.

It is the student's responsibility to arrange for making up a final examination if absent at a regularly scheduled period. Make-up periods for final examinations will be scheduled within one week after the original examination period.

Students who have missed final examinations due to extenuating circumstances must arrange for making up the examination within thirty days after the scheduled final examination period.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College is an approved CLEP testing center. Examinations will be administered on scheduled dates by College personnel. Information regarding test registration procedures and fees is available from the Assessment Center. Information on the required scores for credit to be granted can be obtained in the Registrar's Office. The minimum score required and the number of semester hours awarded is based on guidelines set by the American Council on Education (ACE). An official CLEP transript must be submitted to the Records Office for evaluation.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit:

Danville Area Community College recognizes credit earned through The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations. However, DACC requires a minimum score, set for each exam. The minimum score required and the number of semester hours awarded is based on guidelines set by the American Council on Education (ACE).

Credit for Military Service

Members and former members of the Armed Services may be granted credit for military experience. Veterans must present a copy of their separation papers to the Office of the Registrar.

Credits In Escrow

Through Credits In Escrow, academically capable high school students may enroll in college credit courses while still enrolled in high school. The credits earned are placed in escrow pending graduation from high school at which time the credits are applied toward the student's college certificate or degree program.

Eligibility Criteria for Credits In Escrow:

  1. High School Seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher on a 5.0 scale. Students will be considered Seniors the summer after completion of the Junior year in High School.
  2. High School Juniors with a cumulative grade point average of 4.5 or higher on a 5.0 scale. Students will be considered Juniors the summer after completion of the Sophomore year in high school.
  3. Appropriate placement scores in subject area disciplines which require stipulated entry level skills as required by the College.
  4. A recommendation in writing from the high school principal, counselor, or other school designee which approves the student for enrollment in college credit course work.
  5. Additionally, the High School will stipulate on the written recommendation the maximum number of courses and/or credit hours for which the student may enroll during any given term.
  6. Payment of DACC tuition and fees by the student.

Exceptions:

High School students requesting an exception to the eligibility criteria excluding placement testing may be considered on an individual basis by the students' home high school.

Dual Enrollment Guidelines

Through the High School/College Dual Enrollment, academically capable high school students may enroll in college credit courses and receive credit toward both the high school diploma and a college certificate or degree program of study.

  1. High School Seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher on a 5.0 scale. Students will be considered Seniors the summer after completion of the Junior year in High School.
  2. High School Juniors with a cumulative grade point average of 4.5 or higher on a 5.0 scale. Students will be considered Juniors the summer after completion of the Sophomore year in high school.
  3. Appropriate placement scores in subject area disciplines which require stipulated entry level skills as required by the College.
  4. A recommendation in writing from the high school principal, counselor, or other school designee which approves the student for enrollment in the college credit course.
  5. The College will waive tuition costs for Illinois high school students. The student will be responsible for payment of fees and instructional materials if applicable.

Exceptions:

High School students requesting an exception to the eligibility criteria, excluding placement testing, may be considered on an individual basis by the students' home high school.

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