Academic Information and Policies

Vice President for Academic Services
Dr. Nancy Sutton
Office: U331
Phone: 217/353-2113
Email: nsutton@parkland.edu

Types of Programs Offered at Parkland

Parkland offers a variety of academic programs for students with different academic goals. 

Transfer programs

Transfer programs are designed for students who intend to transfer to a four-year university and earn a bachelor’s degree.  These two-year programs include:

• Associate in Arts, A.A.
• Associate in Science, A.S.
• Associate in Fine Arts, A.F.A.
• Associate in Engineering Sciences, A.E.S.

Students can also complete the General Education Core Curriculum certificate (38 credit hours) to complete their general education requirements before transferring.  The GECC is automatically completed within an A.A. degree, and can be completed in other transfer programs by taking a few extra classes.

For students interested in transferring into specific areas of study (for example, Sociology, Biological Sciences, etc.), Parkland has identified recommended coursework that will give students a good foundation in that area while they complete their associate’s degree.  See the full list of Parkland programs to explore these options.

Students should meet with an academic advisor as soon as possible to plan a program of study that will meet their academic and transfer goals.

Career programs

Parkland offers many programs for students who want to gain technical skills and then go directly into the workforce.  These include:

• Associate in Applied Science, A.A.S
• Associate in General Studies, A.G.S
• Certificate programs

Generally, associate’s degrees take two years to complete. Some A.A.S. programs are longer and require an additional semester.  Certificate programs range from short-term certificates of a single semester, to more extensive programs lasting several semesters. 

A.A.S. programs provide skills in a specific career area; see the full list of Parkland programs to explore these options, or meet with an academic advisor.

The General Studies program is designed for students who want to earn an associate’s degree, but not in a specific career or transfer area.

Accreditation

Parkland College is committed to offering quality programs to help students achieve their academic goals.  Since 1972, the college has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  This accreditation assists the transfer of credit to other colleges and universities across the country. 

Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street
Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
https://www.hlcommission.org/
800/621-7440

Additionally, the following Parkland career programs are accredited by these agencies:

• Automotive Ford ASSET, Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation
• Automotive Technology, ASE Education Foundation;
• Dental Hygiene, Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA)
• Emergency Medical Services, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) and Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
• Medical Assisting, Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Nursing, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Occupational Therapy Assistant, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Radiologic Technology, Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
• Respiratory Care, Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
• Surgical Technology, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Veterinary Technology, Committee on Veterinary Technician Education (CVTEA) and Activities of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Welding (lab accreditation as testing facility), American Welding Society.

The following courses are approved by state agencies:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), approved by Illinois Department of Public Health
• Land Surveying, courses accepted by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) as compliant with the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act.

Credit for Prior Learning

Incoming Parkland students can receive credit for prior learning in several different ways:

• Coursework from another college
• Military training
• AP, CLEP, or IB exam scores
• Proficiency examination
• Industry-recognized certifications or licenses

You can use prior learning credit to fulfill up to 25% of a program’s requirements. 

In some specific career programs, up to 50% of the program requirements can be fulfilled by prior learning credit. In this case, the learning must have been provided by an industry professional in an organized, structured setting. The learning also must have led to an industry-recognized certification, state/federal certification, or state/federal license. Contact the dean of career and technical education or the dean of health professions for more information.

The process for receiving credit with each method is explained below.

Coursework from another college

Parkland accepts transfer credits from other regionally-accredited institutions. To have your transfer coursework evaluated:

1. Complete a Parkland College application and choose a program of study.
2. Request an official transcript from your previous college, and have it sent to the Parkland Admissions and Records office.
3. The Admissions and Records office will evaluate your transcript.  This process can take up to four weeks.  If the transfer coursework is needed to sign up for classes that begin sooner than that, the Admissions office may accept an unofficial transcript temporarily to allow you to plan classes.  You still need to submit the official transcript for permanent evaluation.
4. The Admissions and Records office will email you at your Parkland student email address with the results of the evaluation.  Any awarded transfer credit will be added to your Parkland transcript.

Parkland is a part of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) and will accept transfer courses with IAI course codes (both General Education and Majors codes).

Non-accredited coursework

In some career programs, students can receive credit for coursework from a non-regionally accredited institution offering a nationally-curated curriculum. This can include institutions such as vocational training centers or professional schools.

Parkland must have a formal agreement with the specific institution, including the determination of how the coursework matches to specific Parkland courses.  For more information, contact the dean of career and technical information (M123; 217/353-2182; cte@parkland.edu).

High school articulation agreements

Parkland has developed agreements with local high schools and vocational centers, aimed at high school students who complete occupational sequences in high school and want to go on to advanced training at Parkland. 

Under these agreements, students can receive credits at Parkland for specific high school coursework.  This minimizes the duplication of content and accelerates degree completion for the student at Parkland.  Students may need to pass a proficiency examination to be awarded credit. 

For more information, contact the dean of career and technical education (M123; 217/353-2182; cte@parkland.edu). Information is also available through high school guidance counselors.

Course Substitutions

If Parkland does not have a direct equivalent for a course taken at another institution, you can request a course substitution.  This allows the coursework to fulfill a course requirement within a Parkland program.  Course substitutions can also be requested for courses taken at Parkland to count towards program requirements they do not normally fulfill. 

To request a course substitution:

1. Meet with your faculty advisor, academic success advisor, or the department chair over your program.  They will begin the request process for you. 
2. Note: to request a substitution for a general education course, meet with the department chair over that gen ed course type.  For example, a computer science student requesting a substitution for a math general education requirement should meet with the Mathematics department chair.
3. The department chair will review the request.  If the course you took matches the program/course outcomes of the requested course, they will recommend the course substitution to the division dean.
4. If the division dean approves the substitution, they will complete the request form and forward it to the Admissions and Records office.
5. The Admissions and Records office will note the course substitution on your student record.  They will email you at your Parkland student email address with the result of the request.

Military Training

Parkland accepts some forms of military training as equivalent to college-level learning and awards proficiency credit for it.  For more information, see the Veterans and Servicemembers  section.

AP, CLEP, and IB scores

Parkland grants course credit for certain scores on Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Progam (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. 

To receive credit, you should submit your exam scores to the Admissions and Records office.

For information about course equivalencies for specific tests and the required scores, see the Credit by Exam website.

Proficiency examination

You can request a proficiency examination to demonstrate mastery of the skills and knowledge required for credit in a course.  These rules apply:

• A proficiency exam can only be taken once for a specific course.
• Proficiency exams cannot be used to replace grades or credit already earned for a course (including grades of F, W, NC, or T).
• Proficiency exams cannot be given if you are enrolled in the course and instruction has already begun.
• Proficiency exams cannot be given if you have already passed a higher level course in that course sequence (for example, ENG 101  if you have already passed ENG 102 ).
• You must have completed or be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at Parkland before taking the proficiency exam.

To request a proficiency exam:

1. Meet with the department chair for the course.  The chair will decide whether a proficiency exam is appropriate and whether you are eligible for proficiency credit for that course.
2. If approved, the department chair will help you complete the Credit by Exam request form.  Aviation students should use the Credit by Exam - Aviation request form.
3. Pay any required fee for the exam at the Cashier Office.
4. The department chair will make arrangements for administering and grading the proficiency exam.
5. Based on the results of the exam, the division dean will approve or deny the proficiency credit.  If approved, the proficiency credit will be added to your academic record.

Industry-recognized certifications or licenses

Some career programs in technical fields will accept industry-recognized certifications or licenses in place of a proficiency exam. The prior learning must have been provided by an industry professional in an organized, structured setting.

Follow the process above for requesting a proficiency exam. Instead of an exam, the department chair and division dean will review the prior learning that led to certification/licensure. 

If the prior learning includes the major course components, outcomes, and learning assessments, credit may be awarded. Credit earned in this way is recorded on your academic record as proficiency credit.

What to Expect in Parkland Classes

• On-campus and Online Classes
• Attendance
• Classroom Policies
• Credit Hours and Student Study Time Expectations
• General Education and General Learning Outcomes
• Final Examinations

On-campus and Online Classes

Parkland offers many classes through different instructional methods, so you can choose the method that fits your schedule best. 

While searching for classes, you can always tell what instructional method is used for a class by checking the section number.

For example, the section number for COM 101-001H is 001H.  The letter at the end indicates the instructional method.  Explanations of each method are below.

Fully on-campus (no code)

Example: COM 101-001

These classes meet on campus at the days and times on the schedule.  Instructors might offer some online resources, but the main course components are all on-campus.

Hybrid (H)

Example: COM 101-001H

Hybrid classes include on-campus instruction, but a significant amount of the learning activities are moved online.  This can give the best of both worlds–time spent in the classroom is reduced, and students still get the benefit of face-to-face time with the instructor and other students.  These courses offer convenience but require more dedication and different time-management skills than fully on-campus classes.

Attendance during the scheduled on-campus time is expected.  The online instruction may be scheduled at specific days and times, or it may be unscheduled.  Check the class schedule carefully to see when you are expected to participate in class activities.

Flexible (F)

Example: COM 101-001F

Flexible classes meet on-campus at scheduled days and times, but they allow students the option to join online at that time if they are unable to be on campus for some meetings.  Faculty may also give students the opportunity to watch the recorded class to keep up with work or to review material.

Students may alternate between these options throughout the semester depending on their needs, but the instructor may require in-person attendance at certain times.

Online (V, W)

Example: COM 101-051W or COM 101-051V

These classes are fully online; students interact with their instructor and classmates through the internet.  Students will read lectures, submit assignments, take quizzes, and do other course activities online. Instruction may be:

• Scheduled (V): students meet as a class online at the listed days and times
• Unscheduled (W): students work on the materials at times of their choosing, with no scheduled meeting times

In both cases, the instructor will set assignments with deadlines that students are expected to follow.  You should be prepared to begin course work on the start date of the class.

Online classes are convenient, but they require the most time, self-discipline, time management, and study skills.  Students should be comfortable using their computer and the internet, read assignments and directions carefully, and reach out to their instructor if they need assistance.

For questions about registration, contact the Admissions and Records office (U214; 217/351-2489; admissions@parkland.edu).

For questions about technology, contact the Tech Service Desk (217/353-3333; techhelp@parkland.edu).

Attendance

Regular and prompt attendance is expected at all classes. Regular attendance and consistent study habits are needed for academic success in college.

Absences

If you are absent for more than one day due to an emergency, you or your family member should contact the dean of students at 217/353-2048 or deanofstudents@parkland.edu. The dean’s office will send notification of the absence to your instructors.

You are also responsible for contacting your instructors as soon as you are able to do so. The dean’s office absence notification does not excuse you from assignments, exams, or being marked absent.

Instructors will handle the absence according to the policies outlined in the class syllabus. They have the right to lower grades due to excessive absences. Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), instructors will not speak with students’ families about course work unless a signed release of confidentiality form is on file in the Admissions and Records office.

Absences for religious observances

Parkland College recognizes and values the diverse religious beliefs of its constituents, and practices shared responsibility when a religious observance conflicts with scheduled class work or assignments.

Students who inform instructors in advance of an intended absence for a religious observance will not be penalized. To do this, complete the Religious Observance Accommodation Request form by the end of the second week of the class, for an absence that will take place that semester.

The instructor will make reasonable accommodations for students in these situations; these may include altering dates of examinations and assignments, allowing the student to attend another section of the same course for a class period, or similar remedies. Instructors are not responsible for teaching material again.

Instructors should inform students of these expectations at the beginning of the semester so that arrangements can be made accordingly. Grievances pertaining to the Religious Observances policy shall be handled according to usual college policies and procedures.

Classroom Policies

Bringing Children to Class

The learning environment must be as free as possible from disruptions.  Policy 5.04 in the Parkland Policy and Procedures Manual states that children are not permitted in classes and are not to be left unattended anywhere on campus.

Safety Glasses Policy

The Illinois School Code, Chapter 122, “Eye Protection Devices,” states:

All individuals will wear industrial quality eye protection devices at all times while in a room or other enclosed area where they and others are participating in any phase of activity of such course which may subject the student or teacher to the risk of hazard of eye injury from the materials or processes used in said course.

These activities may be defined as experiences involving hot molten metals; milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding, or stamping of any solid metal, wood, or plastic; heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials; gas or electric welding; repair or servicing of any vehicle; and caustic or explosive materials.

Visitors to shops or laboratories will be furnished with and required to wear industrial-quality eye protection.

Credit Hours and Student Study Time Expectations

Course credit hours are determined by the type of course and the number of instructional (contact) hours spent in the course during the semester. Depending on the type of course, students should also expect to spend a certain amount of time engaging with the course material outside of class:

• Lecture/discussion-oriented courses: One credit hour is earned for every 15 classroom contact hours per semester. For each classroom contact hour, students are expected to invest a minimum of two hours in outside-of-classroom study and relevant learning activities.
• Laboratory courses: One credit hour is earned for every 30 to 45 classroom contact hours per semester. For every two laboratory contact hours, students are expected to invest a minimum of one hour in outside-of-classroom study and relevant learning activities.
• Work experience courses: Work experience courses include non-clinical internships, practicums, and on-the-job supervised instruction. One credit hour is earned for every 150 contact hours per semester.
• Clinical practicum courses: One credit hour is earned for every 30 to 60 contact hours per semester. For every two clinical contact hours, students are expected to invest a minimum of one hour in outside-of-classroom study and relevant learning activities.

Students who plan to work while attending Parkland should take study time into consideration when planning their schedules.  Consult your advisor for advice on balancing work and course load.

Generally, in one semester:

• Taking 16 credit hours allows minimum time for work
• Taking 12 credit hours allows 10 hours per week for work
• Taking 8 credit hours allows 20 work hours

General Education and General Learning Outcomes

Parkland College is committed to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to fulfill their potential as learners, workers, and valuable members of a global society. 

All Associate’s Degree programs include General Education coursework to ensure students receive a well-rounded education.  Approximately two-thirds of the Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees are General Education courses, to prepare students for transfer to a four-year university. Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees require at least 15 credit hours of General Education.

• General Education Courses for Transfer Degrees  
• General Education Courses for Career Degrees  

General Learning Outcomes

Beyond General Education, all Parkland courses will help you grow and gain experience in a wide range of areas.  Each course includes one or more General Learning Outcome, representing a different skill area. By the time you finish your certificate or degree program, you will have taken courses that include all of the following:

• Communication: Students will demonstrate the ability to read, write, listen, and speak effectively.

• Creativity and Innovative Thinking: Students will design, present, and interpret materials, information, and ideas in innovative ways.

• Critical Thinking and Information Literacy: Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate perspectives, evidence, and implications, and to locate, assess, and use information effectively.

• Reasoning and Inquiry: Students will demonstrate the ability to solve problems using deductive reasoning and logic, quantitative reasoning, or the scientific method.

• Technology: Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate, select, and appropriately use current and emerging tools.

• Global Awareness and Cultural Reasoning: Students will demonstrate their understanding of global issues, gender and sexual orientation, and multicultural perspectives.

Your class syllabus will include information about which General Learning Outcomes

Final Examinations

A final examination is generally required in all courses. Final examinations are given at regularly scheduled times, in accordance with the officially published final examination schedule. See the college calendar for the detailed exam schedule.

If you are unable to attend a final examination, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor prior to the scheduled examination time.

Three examinations scheduled for the same day is considered a conflict and may be resolved by arrangement with the instructor.

Student Complaint Procedure for Academic Matters

There are several mechanisms outlined in the Student Handbook for students to address complaints or issues. Please see the Student Complaint Processes section of the handbook.

• For complaints stemming from issues related to academic courses, the classroom environment, faculty, or other academic matters not related to grading in a course, refer to the first section of the Student Complaint Processes page titled “Academic Complaint (Not Related to Classroom Grading)”.
• For complaints related to grading in a course, refer to the third section of the Student Complaint Processes page titled “Grade Based Complaint” for information on Parkland’s Grade Appeal process.

Additional information:

• A student utilizing the grade appeal process may not use the Student Grievance hearing process for the same occurrence.
• Because there are different deadlines and timings for different complaint resolution processes (especially as a student may be trying to decide between a grade appeal and student grievance process), students are encouraged to discuss process timelines with either their respective academic dean or the vice president for student services.

Grades and Grade Point Average

• Types of Grades
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Grading Policies

Types of Grades

Parkland uses the following grades to show how well a student has achieved the educational objectives of a course. Quality points are used to calculate Grade Point Average (GPA).

A grade of F does not allow a student to move on to the next course in a sequence.  For example, a grade of F in ART 145  will not meet the prerequisite for ART 245 –a grade of D or higher is required.

Some course prerequisites require a grade of C or higher.  In these cases, the requirement will be listed in the course information. See CHE 142  as an example.

Students in health career programs must earn a grade of C or higher in all program courses to continue in the program.

These other grades are not counted towards “total quality hours attempted” in the GPA calculation, but they are recorded on a student’s transcript.  Most of these grades do count towards the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy  for financial aid purposes. 

• A grade of W means that the student officially withdrew or was withdrawn from the course using the established withdrawal procedures .
• The Audit or Credit/No Credit grading method must be requested before the end of the first week of class.  See the procedure for Taking a Class Without a Grade .  Only one Credit/No Credit course can count towards a program, and some programs do not allow Credit/No Credit grading.  A completed course graded as Credit/No Credit can be repeated for a quality grade.
• A grade of P means that the student passed a proficiency examination for the course.  Credit for the course counts towards graduation requirements, but no quality points are awarded.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

GPA determines academic standing and eligibility for graduation. A student’s GPA is based only on courses taken at Parkland College. Contact the Admissions and Records office with questions about your GPA.

There are two types of GPA: Program GPA and Cumulative GPA.

Program GPA

Program GPA only counts coursework that applies to a particular program.  For example, developmental coursework such as ENG 099  will not be counted. Program GPA determines eligibility to graduate under that program. Only coursework taken at Parkland College is counted.

Program GPA equals
Total quality points earned (A, B, C, D, F grades) divided by
Total quality hours attempted for courses that apply to the program

For specific types of programs, these rules apply:

• For transfer programs (A.A., A.S., A.E.S., and A.F.A), all transfer-focused courses are included in the calculation. Transfer-focused courses have an even middle number, such as MGT 101 or ART 121, and are numbered between 100-289.
• For A.A.S. and certificate programs, all required courses and electives numbered 100-299 that can count toward the program are included in the calculation.  If you take more electives than required for the program, all eligible electives will be used to calculate your program GPA.
• For the A.G.S. degree, all courses numbered 100-299 will be included in the calculation.

Cumulative GPA

Cumulative (college) GPA counts all courses that have a course number less than 300.  Developmental coursework such as ENG 099  is counted.  College GPA determines financial aid eligibility  and academic standing.  Only coursework taken at Parkland College is counted.

Cumulative GPA equals
Total quality points earned (A, B, C, D, F grades) divided by
Total quality hours attempted for all courses taken at Parkland

Repeating a Course

When a course is repeated, only the first quality grade will be excluded from the GPA calculation. The second quality grade, and any following ones, will be used in computing the GPA.

Any credit earned in a given course cannot be lost by a later attempt. However, the grade received when the course was first taken will remain on the permanent record.

Many transfer institutions will include both grades in determining the GPA. Courses taken on the quarter system and then repeated on the semester system will both be included in the GPA.

Grading Policies

A with Honors

To receive an “A with honors” grade, you must:

• be earning a grade of A in a course at the time the honors project is proposed
• submit an honors project proposal that must be approved by the instructor for the course
• satisfactorily complete the honors project as determined by the instructor for the course
• finish the course with a grade of A

The project should require approximately the same amount of work as a one credit hour IND 288  class. The honors project has no impact on the grade for the class.  Instructors are not required to allow honors projects in their classes.

You do not need to be a member of the Honors Program to earn an A with honors grade.  However, you must be a member to qualify for honors scholarships. 

Midterm and Final Grades

Students receive a midterm grade, which gives an indication of student progress at midterm, and a final grade for each course. However, the midterm grade does not become part of the student’s official record.

Midterm and final grades may be accessed online. Students who need a printed grade report may print them from the online system or request them from the Office of Admissions and Records.

Incomplete Grades

A grade of “Incomplete” can be given when a student has completed at least 80% of the course requirements.  In order to give an Incomplete grade, the instructor must be willing to let the student complete the remaining requirements beyond the end of the semester.

To receive an Incomplete grade:

1. The student and instructor complete an Incomplete Grade Contract outlining the remaining coursework and deadlines for completing it.
2. The instructor submits the contract to their department office.
3. After the student has completed the coursework, the instructor submits a Change of Grade to update the I grade to a quality grade.

If the coursework is not completed by the end of the following semester, the I grade will automatically be updated to an F.  This deadline only counts fall and spring semesters.  For example, an Incomplete received in the spring semester needs to be completed before the end of the following fall semester.

While having an Incomplete grade, you cannot move on to the next course in a sequence without department chair approval.  For example, if you currently have an Incomplete in ENG 101 , you would need approval to take ENG 102 .

Change of Grades Policy

Instructors can request a change of grade to correct errors in grading or reporting, or to change an incomplete grade to a quality grade.  If the instructor is not available, the department chair can initiate the change of grade. The department chair and division dean’s approval are required for the change to be entered on the student’s transcript.

Grade changes can be done at any time before the end of the semester after the course was taken. This deadline only counts fall and spring semesters.  For example, the grade for a course taken in the spring semester may be changed up until the end of the following fall semester.

A signed copy of the Change of Grade form will be kept in the Office of Admissions and Records.

Dean’s List

A dean’s list is published for the fall and spring semesters, listing the students whose scholastic achievement has been outstanding. Awarding of honors will be based on performance on courses 100-299 (excluding ALH, ALM, ALR, ALV, and ALW courses).

To be on the dean’s list, you must earn a minimum 3.5 GPA for the semester. Students who earn fewer than 12 hours in a semester can be added to the dean’s list if they have taken a minimum of 12 credit hours that academic year and earned at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. The academic year begins with the summer semester and includes the summer, fall, and spring semesters.

Academic Record Exclusion

Parkland recognizes that students may return to the college after an extended absence, and having a poor prior record (mostly D and F grades). However, this may not represent their current abilities and commitment to education.  

In these cases, it may be reasonable to exclude the prior academic record from the student’s cumulative grade point average calculation.  However, the grades and earned credits must remain on the student’s transcript.

In order to qualify for an academic record exclusion, you must:

• Have been absent from the college for at least two years
• Successfully complete at least 15 credit hours within two years after returning to Parkland

To request an exclusion, complete the Request for Exclusion of Academic Record form. For more information, email academicexceptions@parkland.edu.

Individual Grade Exclusion

Students sometimes change academic programs after earning poor grades (D and F) in courses that were specifically needed for their original program.  

In these cases, students can request that these D and F grades be excluded from their cumulative grade point average calculation.

In order to qualify for an individual grade exclusion:

• You must be changing from a transfer program to a career program (A.A.S./Certificate) or from one career program to another career program.
• You cannot be changing to a transfer program (A.A., A.S., A.F.A, A.E.S).
• The requested courses must have been required for the original program and not required in the new program.

Excluded grades and earned credits remain on the student’s transcript.

To request an exclusion, complete the Request for Exclusion of Individual Grades from Academic Record form.  For more information, email academicexceptions@parkland.edu.

Access to Grade Information

Under state and federal family privacy rights and due process, the college will not deny students the right to see and discuss their work product, including grades on tests, unless there is some prevailing and rational institutional reason. 

However, requests for grade changes and grade appeals must be made by midterm of the following fall or spring semester.

Academic Standing

Academic Caution (formerly Academic Warning)

Students will be placed on academic caution if they have taken six or more credit hours (W grades excluded) and their cumulative grade point average is less than:

Students placed on academic caution should meet with their academic success advisor before registering for classes to develop their academic plan and to discuss strategies for improving academic success.

Additionally, students placed on caution must follow these restrictions:

• Enroll in no more than 13 hours (7 hours in summer).
• Enroll in no more than three online classes.
• Enroll in no more than one midterm start class (fall or spring semester; unless required by academic program).

Academic Notice (formerly Academic Probation)

Students will be placed on academic notice if they have taken six or more credit hours (W grades excluded) and their cumulative grade point average is less than:

Students placed on academic notice are required to meet with an academic success advisor before they may register for classes. Students placed on academic notice who already registered for classes cannot make changes to their class registration or register for additional classes until meeting with an advisor.

Additionally, students placed on notice must follow these restrictions:

• Enroll in no more than 13 hours (7 hours in summer).
• Enroll in no more than one online class.
• Enroll in no more than one midterm start class (fall or spring semester).

Academic Separation I (formerly Academic Suspension)

Students will be placed on academic separation I if, while on academic notice, their semester grade point average is below 1.75.

The separation will be until the end of the semester (fall or spring) after being placed on separation. Students placed on academic separation I are not permitted to register for any courses.

Academic Separation II (formerly Academic Dismissal)

Students will be placed on academic separation II if, during the term in which they return from separation I, their semester grade point average is below 1.75.

The separation will be for one calendar year. Students placed on academic separation II are not permitted to register for any courses.

Returning from Academic Separation

Students on academic separation may seek reinstatement when they have completed the mandated period of separation I (one full semester, not including summer) or separation II (one full calendar year).

To complete the process for readmission to course work, the student must do the following:

• Financial aid: Complete an online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application if financial assistance is needed. This must be done in a timely manner so that any forthcoming aid is in place by the start of the semester.
• Academic success plan: Meet with the designated academic success advisor to develop an academic plan for the semester in which the student wishes to be readmitted. The academic plan will involve a discussion of support resources to be utilized. The academic plan should meet the following requirements:
  • No more than 13 credit hours (7 hours in the summer)
  • No accelerated classes (8 weeks or less, except in the summer)
  • No more than one online class
  • The class plan should include FYE 101 - Strategies for College Success  
    
    Where appropriate, advising staff may propose modifications of conditions to the director of advising. Students should schedule at least 2 follow-up meetings with the academic success advisor.
• Director’s approval: Submit the academic success plan to the director of advising services for approval. In order to meet registration deadlines, the plan must be submitted by the Thursday before the beginning of class.
• Class registration: Upon notification of the director’s approval, register for classes. Registration for classes must follow the courses approved in the academic plan and within the time frame indicated in the director’s approval email.
• Progress review: Make appointments to see an academic success advisor at least two times in the first semester upon returning to classes to review academic progress. The first meeting should take place by the third week of the semester.

Failure to follow these steps shows a lack of readiness to pursue academic success and may result in the discontinuation of registration privileges in the future.

Appealing Academic Separation

Students on academic separation are not able to register for classes without an approved petition to appeal and an academic plan. Petitions to appeal separation are only granted when there are documented extenuating circumstances and the student has addressed their barriers to academic success. To complete the process of appeal, the student must:

• Financial aid: Complete an online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application if financial assistance is needed. This must be done in a timely manner so that any forthcoming aid is in place by the start of the semester.
• Academic success plan and petition to appeal: Meet with the designated academic success advisor to develop an academic plan for the semester in which the student wishes to be readmitted and review petition to appeal separation. The academic plan will involve a discussion of support resources to be utilized. The academic plan should meet the following requirements:
  • No more than 13 credit hours (7 hours in the summer)
  • No accelerated classes (8 weeks or less, except in the summer)
  • No more than one online class
  • The class plan should include FYE 101 - Strategies for College Success  
    
    Where appropriate, advising staff may propose modifications of conditions to the director of advising. Students should schedule at least 2 follow-up meetings with the academic success advisor.
• Dean’s approval: Submit the Petition to Appeal Academic Separation form together with relevant documentation supporting the cited extenuating circumstances to the dean of counseling services. Petitions to appeal separation must be submitted one week prior to the start of the session.
• Class registration: Upon notification of the approval, register for classes. Registration for classes must be follow the courses approved in the academic plan and within the time frame indicated in the approval email.
• Progress review: Make appointments to see the designated academic success advisor listed on the approved petition. The first meeting should take place by the third week of the semester.

Only the dean of counseling services or designee can approve an appeal for academic separation. The dean may impose additional requirements when approving an appeal.

Transcripts

A transcript is an official record of a student’s academic history of course enrollment and achievements. All courses officially attempted are listed.

An official transcript is signed and dated by the director of admissions and records and sent from the Office of Admissions and Records directly to another institution or organization upon official request from a student. Official transcripts may be requested in person (with picture ID), by mail, or online. Written requests must include the signature of the student whose official record is being requested.

Students may request to receive their transcripts directly. Any transcript given to the individual student will be stamped “Issued to Student”; it is the student’s responsibility to consult with the receiving institution or organization to determine whether a transcript issued directly to the student is considered official. All transcripts are $5 each. Rush (same day) transcript orders may not be available during peak registration periods. Students may obtain a free unofficial copy of their transcript online.

Parkland cannot forward the original or a copy of any document received by Parkland from another institution or agency to a third institution. Transcripts, test scores, and other documents must be requested by the student from the originating institution or agency.

Graduation

• Graduation requirements
• Requirements for a second degree or certificate
• Awarding of degrees and certificates

Graduation requirements

Students are responsible for knowing and fulfilling all program requirements and following graduation procedures in order to graduate.  The academic advisor’s role is to assist students in making decisions.

Program requirements may change with each edition of the college catalog.  Students may graduate under the current program requirements, or the program requirements from any catalog since their first enrollment. 

If a student is not enrolled in classes for two years or longer (four semesters in a row, excluding summers), they are considered to have re-entered when they return to the college.  They must use the program requirements from the current catalog at the time of re-entry or any later catalog.

Students entering Parkland College under the Army Reserve and National Guard (ARNG) and/or Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP) Associate’s degree programs will be given opportunities to complete their programs under the conditions of their student agreements.  See the Military Transfer Agreements  section for more information.

GPA required to graduate

Graduation from any Parkland program requires a minimum program grade point average of 2.0.

See Program GPA for more information about how this is calculated and which coursework is included.

Health Professions programs may have different minimum program GPA requirements to graduate.  All Health Professions programs require a minimum grade of C for each program course. 

Credits earned at Parkland College

To graduate from a program, a certain percentage of the program requirements must be completed at Parkland College:

• Associate’s Degree: Minimum 15 credit hours completed at Parkland
• Certificate: Minimum 50% of credit hours completed at Parkland

See the section on Prior Learning for more information about how much credit can be earned through prior learning.

Requirements for a second degree or certificate

If a student has earned less than 75 credit hours and qualifies for two associate degrees at the same time, the student must choose which degree they wish to receive.

If a student has earned 75 or more credit hours and has completed the requirements for two associate degrees, they may petition to receive two degrees if the conditions below are met.

Additional credit hours

If a student wishes to complete a second degree, an additional 15 credit hours must be satisfactorily completed at Parkland.

• If the second degree is a transfer degree (A.A., A.S., A.F.A., or A.E.S.), the 15 additional credit hours must be in transfer-focused courses (numbered 100-289 with an even middle digit).
• If the second degree is a career degree (A.A.S., A.G.S., or a certificate of 30 or more credits), the 15 additional credit hours can be from any courses numbered 100-299.

The 15 credit hour requirement does not apply when the second program is a certificate within an Associate in Applied Science degree that the student is already qualified to receive.

Second transfer degree

A student may earn only one Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.), or Associate in Engineering Science (A.E.S.) degree.

Because the IAI General Education Core Curriculum requirements are not satisfied by completion of the A.S., A.F.A., or A.E.S. degrees, a student who first receives any of these degrees may also complete an A.A. degree by taking 15 additional credit hours and meeting all IAI General Education Core Curriculum requirements.

Catalog requirements

To receive two degrees and/or two certificates, the student must complete the requirements for both programs.  See the Graduation Requirements section for the guidelines on which catalog year(s) a student may select their program requirements from.  The guidelines and re-entry policy are the same for a second degree/certificate.

The student may use any portion of the 15 additional required credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.

Financial Aid requirements

If the student intends to declare a pursuit of two programs at the same time (two certificates, degree and a certificate, or two degrees) for veterans benefits and other financial aid purposes, they must meet with the dean of enrollment services or their designee for approval.

Awarding of degrees and certificates

Deadline to petition for graduation

Associate degrees and certificates are awarded at the end of each semester.  Students who plan to graduate are encouraged to file a Petition to Graduate form early in the term prior to the semester in which they expect to graduate.  For example, students are encouraged to submit the Petition to Graduate in the fall semester if they expect to graduate in spring.  This allows any missing graduation requirements to be identified and corrected during the final semester.

The Petition to Graduate must be submitted by the deadline for the semester you plan to graduate (see Graduation Information on the college calendar for specific dates).

Late graduation petitions

Petitions that are submitted after the official deadline published on the college calendar will be considered during the next Petition to Graduate time period.

Decisions to accept late petitions will be at the discretion of the vice president for students services.  The college will not award degrees retroactively or backdate diplomas.

If all graduation requirements have been completed, the Admissions and Records office can provide a letter stating that they have all been completed and the date on which graduation will occur.  Contact admissions@parkland.edu to request this letter.

Graduating with Honors

To recognize students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their pursuit of higher education, Parkland College will publicly acknowledge graduating students who have achieved at least a 3.50 program GPA with a minimum of 30 credit hours of 100-299 level course work applicable to the program at Parkland College.

The designation “Graduated with Honors” will be stated on the student’s transcript and diploma. See Honors Program requirements for more information.

Global Studies Emphasis Designation

A Global Studies Emphasis designation on a student’s transcript shows that they have gained in-depth education about a particular country or region of the world.

Commencement

Commencement is held every year at the end of the spring semester.  Students are encouraged to participate in this celebration of their achievements at Parkland.

Students are eligible to join commencement if they:

• Graduated with an associate degree or certificate of 24 or more credit hours since the last commencement, or
• Expect to graduate with an associate degree or certificate of 24 or more credit hours at the end of that spring semester or the following summer session

Transfer Beyond Parkland

Transfer Planning

Students planning to transfer are responsible for choosing appropriate courses.  Advisors are available to help students with the transfer process.

Parkland participates in MyCreditsTransfer, a statewide initiative to help students transfer within Illinois. Students are also encouraged to use Transferology, a national tool for checking how courses will transfer between institutions and exploring what majors are offered at different institutions.  Transferology is free to use. 

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)

The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide transfer agreement between colleges and universities in Illinois. It includes public community colleges, public universities, and private colleges and universities.

The purpose of IAI is to help students seamlessly transfer their coursework between colleges in Illinois.  There are two major parts of this initiative: IAI course codes, and the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC).

IAI course codes

Courses are identified with an IAI code to show that they fulfill all the course content and learning outcomes associated with that code.  Two different colleges could offer two courses with different names, but if they both have the same IAI code, they cover the same content as determined by a statewide panel.

In the Parkland catalog, the IAI code is shown in the course information, below the credit hours.  See ENG 101  as an example.

IAI General Education courses

Some IAI codes indicate General Education courses.  These are courses that can be used to fulfill General Education requirements in transfer degrees and the GECC.

General Education IAI codes begin with the following letters and indicate the general education categories:

• IAI C - Communications
• IAI S - Social and Behavioral Sciences
• IAI H - Humanities
• IAI HF - Humanities or Fine Arts
• IAI F - Fine Arts
• IAI M - Mathematics
• IAI P - Physical Sciences
• IAI L - Life Sciences

IAI Majors courses

Other IAI codes indicate Majors courses.  These describe courses typically taken by freshman and sophomore students for a specific major.  These codes are helpful for students who know their intended major, but do not know which school they want to transfer to.  Students who know where they want to transfer should see that school’s catalog and an admissions counselor for specific advice. 

IAI Majors codes begin with the following letters and indicate the majors areas:

• IAI AG - Agriculture
• IAI ART - Art
• IAI BIO - Biological Sciences
• IAI BUS - Business
• IAI CHM - Chemistry
• IAI CS - Computer Science
• IAI CRJ - Criminal Justice
• IAI ECE - Early Childhood Education
• IAI ESE - Elementary and Secondary Education
• IAI EGR - Engineering
• IAI MTH - Mathematics
• IAI MC - Media and Communication Arts
• IAI PHY - Physics
• IAI PLS - Political Science
• IAI PSY - Psychology
• IAI TA - Theatre Arts

General Education Core Curriculum (GECC)

The General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) is a package of courses that represent the lower-division general education requirements in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.  Completing the GECC provides a great advantage for students who are undecided about where they want to transfer, or who are undecided about their major.

The IAI agreement allows students to transfer this package from one institution to another without loss of credit.  Additionally, Parkland students who complete the package will be awarded the GECC certificate on their official transcript.

General Education Core Curriculum certificate graduation requirements

Policies for completing the GECC at Parkland College:

• Students who complete an A.A. degree at Parkland also meet the GECC requirements and will be automatically certified as having completed the GECC certificate.
• The A.S., A.F.A., and A.E.S degrees do not include all of the GECC requirements, but students are encouraged to complete the remaining GECC coursework before transfer so they receive the benefits of the GECC package.
• Students who complete the GECC but do not finish an A.A. degree must file a Petition to Graduate specifically for the GECC.
• Parkland accepts all courses taken at another college that have IAI General Education codes for credit towards the GECC requirements.
• For most general education courses, a grade of D or better will allow the course to count towards the GECC. ENG 101  and ENG 102  must be completed with a C or better.
• Students must earn a minimum 2.0 Program GPA across all GECC courses to receive the GECC certificate.
• A minimum of 15 credit hours of the GECC requirements must be completed at Parkland.
• Admissions and Records will evaluate courses taken at non-participating Illinois institutions, or out-of-state institutions.
• Students who transfer in fractional credit (less than a full credit hour of a course) may have the remaining fraction of a credit hour waived to complete a GECC requirement.  However, 38 total credit hours of GECC courses are still needed to complete the Parkland GECC.
• Students may use AP, IB, or CLEP examination scores to fulfill GECC requirements.  Note that transfer institutions will follow their own policies on the acceptance of standardized test scores for credit.

Benefits of completing the GECC:

• Students who complete the GECC at any participating college or university in Illinois will have met their lower-division general education requirements when transfering to another participating college or university in Illinois.
• The GECC transfers as a package and its transferability is backed by state law (Public Act 99-0636).  However, course-to-course transfer is not guaranteed.
• Completion of the GECC certificate will be noted on a student’s official transcript.  Completers with a 3.5 GPA will receive honors and are eligible to participate in commencement.

Transfer Agreements

Parkland has set up agreements with some universities to help students transfer easily into specific programs.  These agreements identify coursework that students can complete at Parkland and then transfer to the other institution, putting them on track to complete their bachelor’s degree in the same total amount of time as a student who had started at the other institution. 

Students starting in transfer degrees (A.A., A.S., A.F.A, A.E.S.) who know which university and program they want to transfer to should work with their academic advisor to see if a transfer agreement has been established in their area of interest.

2+2 agreements

Parkand has set up 2+2 agreements with some universities to give students the opportunity to earn bachelor’s degrees in technical fields. 

Under these agreements, students can complete an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in a specific career program and transfer to the other university, usually with junior standing.  Students should work with their academic advisor to complete the coursework required by the agreement.

Educational Guarantees

Career and Technical Programs

Parkland College guarantees that graduates in all career associate’s degree (A.A.S.) and certificate programs will have acquired skills needed by employers. Parkland College will provide training in specific skill areas, at no cost to the student, when the program completer and/or the employer states that the individual lacks specific skills that are directly related to their position in the occupation for which they received training at Parkland. Time limits and other restrictions may apply.

Further information regarding educational guarantees related to career programs may be obtained by contacting the dean of career and technical education at 217/353-2182 or cte@parkland.edu.

Transfer Courses

Parkland College additionally guarantees that Parkland students who complete the requirements for baccalaureate-oriented associate’s degrees can transfer all credits in courses selected with the assistance of a Parkland College advisor to a specified four-year college or university in Illinois as planned.

If a course selected with the assistance of the college does not transfer, Parkland will refund the tuition for the course. The transfer guarantee is accessible to full- and part-time students.

Further information regarding educational guarantees related to transfer programs may be obtained by contacting the dean of arts and sciences at 217/353-2181 or artsandsciences@parkland.edu.