Academic Catalog (pdf)

CANCELLATION OF CLASSES
There are times when classes may be canceled from the semester course offering. Many factors are considered before a class is canceled. Three major factors are:

1. Instructor availability.  Sometimes it is necessary to cancel a class because a qualified instructor is not available.

2. Low enrollment.  The general rule is that a class may be canceled if it has less than 50% of its capacity registered for it.

3. Room/time conflicts.  Class changes or additions may trigger a need to cancel or move certain classes. 

Every effort will be made to minimize the frequency of cancellations.


CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS
Students are not required to take a minimum number of credits each semester. However, to make progress toward the completion of a 60-credit associate degree or diploma within a two-year time frame, students must complete an average of 15 credits each semester.

Students planning to take more than 19 credits fall and spring semesters and more than 9 credits summer semester must obtain approval from an advisor/counselor. For reporting purposes, students are classified according to the following:

Full-time: A student who is enrolled in at least 12 credits during a semester.
Part-time: A student who is enrolled in 11 or fewer credits during a semester.
Freshman: A student who has completed 29 or fewer semester credits.
Sophomore: A student who has completed 30 or more semester credits.

ENROLLMENT & DEGREE VERIFICATIONS:
Central Lakes College utilizes the National Student Clearinghouse http://www.studentclearinghouse.org for all Enrollment and Degree Verifications.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for degrees, diplomas, and certificates must comply with the following criteria:

 1. Complete all degree, diploma and certificate program requirements. Credits must be earned in courses numbered 1000 or above. Note: Students are subject to the requirements listed in their program in effect at the time of their enrollment. When enrollment has been broken for one year, the student is subject to the degree, diploma, or certificate requirements as stated in their program that is current at the time of re-enrollment.

2. Achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 grading scale.

3. Fulfill all financial obligations to the college.

4. Complete a minimum of 15 Central Lakes College semester credits in addition to any transfer credits for the applicable degree, diploma, or certificate program. Credits of “S” will be limited to 30% of the total credits for the degree, diploma, or certificate. 

5. Submit an “Application for Graduation” form to the Records and Registration office the semester before graduation.

6. Nursing students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 and must earn a “C” grade or higher in all nursing courses (those designated NURS or PNUR).

7. Students who receive a 3.25-3.74 Cumulative GPA will graduate with honors.  Students who receive a 3.75-4.0 Cumulative GPA will graduate with high honors.  For the graduation ceremony, honors and high honors are determined at the end of fall semester.  At this time, spring grades are not included.

Students: To obtain an Application for Graduation form click on "Forms" on the left-hand side of this screen.


HOLD CODE EXPLANATION
The following are the student hold codes that can be on a student’s record that may prevent registratinos. Please contact 218.855.8031 and mention the hold code to receive assistance in removing the holds.

0002 Suspension

0005 Immunization

0010 Insufficient Address

0022 Overdue Resource Material

0031 Balance Due

0069 Invalid Phone Number

Advisor Access Code (PSEO students only)


TRANSFER OF CREDIT
Students seeking a degree, diploma or certificate who have attended a previous college must have all official transcripts sent directly from that college to Central Lakes College Records and Registration. If the transcript is hand-delivered by the student, it must be delivered in an unopened college envelope. Student copies and faxed transcripts are not considered official.  A course syllabus or course outline may be requested to determine course transferability.

Transfer of credits shall be accomplished in accordance with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities policy and the policy of Central Lakes College. Once a course has met the criteria necessary for inclusion in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum in any area of emphasis, the course must be accepted for full credit in that area of emphasis at all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Lower division courses (100, 200, or 1000, 2000 numbered) completed with a grade of “D-” or better at regionally accredited colleges will be accepted in transfer. Regional accreditation from the institution/college has to be in effect at the time the student took the course(s). “S” grades will be accepted if the transcript legend designates the “S” grade equals a “C” grade or higher.

Courses completed from colleges or universities which do not possess regional accreditation will be considered on an individual basis for evaluation but do require a syllabi or course outline for the course. Other documentation may be required.

Not more than six upper-division (300, 400 or 3000, 4000 numbered) semester credits may be used in transfer.

Law enforcement students seeking the Minnesota Post licensing: Only credit for law enforcement courses completed within three years of the request of transfer will be accepted in transfer.

RN students: Only microbiology courses that include a lab will be accepted in transfer.

International Credit: Central Lakes College does award international credit earned at eligible Colleges & Universities outside of the United States. Please view our International Credit Evaluation Policy (pdf) for more information.

Transfer credit requests should be done prior to registering for classes. Once a transcript reaches CLC, evaluation of the transfer credits is done by the Registrar’s Office. Students may appeal transfer decisions by requesting a General Petition form from the Records and Registration office.


Transfer of Credit/General Information
The following information applies to Minnesota’s public colleges and universities.

1. Once a course has met the criteria necessary for inclusion in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum in any area of emphasis, the course must be accepted for full credit in that area of emphasis at all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

2. Students are encouraged to ask for help from the registrar or transfer specialist located at each college.

3. Students are encouraged to ask the transfer specialist for information about agreements between colleges for the transfer of credit.

4. Students need to understand the criteria for admission to the institution or selected major field of study.

5. Students need to understand what kinds of courses an institution will accept in transfer.

6. Students need to understand the appeals process at the institution to which transfer credits are to be sent.

7. The receiving college or university decides what credits transfer and whether those credits meet its degree requirements. The accreditation of both the sending and the receiving institution can affect the transfer of the credits earned.

8. Institutions accept credits from courses and programs like those they offer. They look for similarity in course goals, content, and level of difficulty.

9. Baccalaureate degree programs usually count credits in four categories: education, major/minor courses, prerequisites, and electives. The key question is, “Will your credits fulfill requirements of the degree or program you choose?”

10. If a student changes career goals or majors, he/she might not be able to complete all degree requirements within the usual number of graduation credits.


YOUR RIGHTS AS A TRANSFER STUDENT
The following are rights of a transfer student:

1. To receive a clear, understandable statement of an institution’s transfer policy.

2. To receive a fair credit review and an explanation of why credits were or were not accepted.

3. To appeal a transfer decision: students may appeal a transfer decision to the Registrar by completing the General Petition form and complete a system level appeal to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities afterward if their concerns were not resolved by the Registrar. If the student's intent is to submit a system level appeal, please consult the Registrar for assistance related to this process.

4. To receive a review of eligibility for financial aid or scholarships and transfer of present financial aid records.


CREDIT FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTING: Central Lakes College Advanced Placement Exams & CLC Equivalents (Revised August 10, 2010)
Central Lakes College will award credit for Advanced Placement testing provided the student earned a score of 3 or above on the exam.  The amount of credit granted will not exceed the credit granted for an equivalent course or course sequence offered by Central Lakes College.  Approved credits will be transcripted as "Advanced Placement" credits.  Students wishing to apply for Advanced Placement credit should request to have test results mailed to Records and Registration. For a full listing of AP Exam score requirements and their CLC equivalents, please click here (pdf)

 
CREDIT FOR CLEP OR DANTES: CLEP Exams & CLC Equivalents - (Revised May 27, 2010)
Credit for both subject and area examinations of CLEP (College Level Examination Program) will be evaluated for credit according to the recommendation of the American Council on Education and according to the policies of Central Lakes College.  Students wishing to apply for credit should have results mailed from CLEP directly to the Records and Registration office.  Approved credits will be transcripted as "CLEP" credits.  Information about CLEP is available in the Counseling Center. For a full listing of CLEP Exams that has CLC equivalents, please click here (pdf)

CLC CREDIT BY EVALUATION POLICY
If a student is confident that he/she has the competencies needed to meet the objectives for a diploma program course, he/she may make a request for Credit by Evaluation by following these steps:

1. Check the list of courses that allows this method.  The list is available from the Vice President of Academic Affairs office.

2. If the student decides to proceed, he/she should complete the Credit by Evaluation form available from the Vice President of Academic Affairs office.

3. After the student completes the form, the VP of Academic Affairs or designee will assign the appropriate instructor to administer the evaluation.  The evaluation may be oral, written, demonstration, or a combination of these.

4. The student will go to the cashier to pay the appropriate non-refundable fee. Students are reminded that financial aid does not cover any of the Credit by Evaluation fees.

5. The student will then meet with the assigned instructor to set up the test time and finalize criteria for the evaluation.

6. The examination will be administered to the student.

7. The instructor will return the Credit by Evaluation form to the VP of Academic Affairs who will ensure the credits are appropriately transcribed.

8. Only the grade of “S” will be allowed for Credit by Evaluation courses.

The process allowing Credit by Evaluation must be completed by the end of the drop-add period to allow the student to withdraw from a course without penalty. If the student has not registered for the course and wishes to attempt Credit by Evaluation, the student may complete the process at any time.  A student cannot receive Credit by Evaluation for a course she/he previously registered for and failed.

CREDIT FOR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM:
Central Lakes College awards credit for prior learning to high school students who participated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. A student may present a full IB diploma or a certificate recognizing specific higher level or standard level examination scores for evaluation. Central Lakes College awards credit for scores of four (4) or higher on individual IB examinations or successful completion of the IB diploma. Students who attain an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma shall be granted six (6) lower division course credits for scores of four (4) or higher on each Higher Level IB examinations and two (2) lower division course credits for scores of four (4) or higher on each Standard Level IB examination. Students who do not complete an IP diploma may have their individual examinations evaluated. A student shall receive three (3) or more course credits for scores of four (4) or higher on individual Higher Level IB examinations and two (2) or more credits for scores of four (4) or higher on individual Standard Level IB examinations.

CREDIT FOR MILITARY EXPERIENCE
An enrolled student may request an evaluation of military experience and education for college credit from an official military transcript, form DD214, or Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE).  This is evaluated and awarded by the Registrar according to the standards of the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), and the policies of Central Lakes College. Contact the Records and Registration office for information.

CREDIT FOR TECH PREP
Central Lakes College has number of course equivalency agreements with high schools. These articulation agreements allow students to experience advanced learning that can be used in their college career. Students are subject to the current articulation agreement that is in effect at the time of their enrollment at Central Lakes College. Tech Prep credits are transcribed showing total credits and identified as “Tech Prep” credits.
Students who are interested in further information should contact their high school counselor or the Records and Registration office of Central Lakes College.

OVERTALLY REQUESTS:

Students may request that an instructor complete this electronic form to allow the student to register for a course which is currently full. This procedure is known as an overtally. Instructors are not required to allow a student entry into a full course. Students are not eligible to be overtallied into a full course that is eligible for wait listing while wait listing for the course is active. If wait listing is active for the course you wish to register for and the course is full, please consider placing yourself on the course waiting list.

VETERAN STUDENT
Central Lakes College is approved by the Minnesota State Approving Agency for Veteran’s Educational Benefits. Applications for veteran educational benefits may be obtained by contacting the Veteran Certifying Official at the Records and Registration office of either the Brainerd or Staples campus. Additional information is available by contacting the Veteran’s Administration, Fort Snelling, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1.800.827.1000, TDD 1.800.829.4833, or by going to the Department of Veteran Affairs web site at: www.va.gov.