Academic Information

Catalog Requirements
Graduation requirements correspond to the catalog in effect at the first time of matriculation as a degree-seeking student. Students matriculating for the first time in the summer semester are subject to the catalog of the previous term.

The catalog will govern a student’s academic program for a maximum of fourteen semesters. Students taking longer than fourteen semesters to complete an academic program in any combination of enrolled or un-enrolled terms must adhere to requirements in place at the beginning of semester fifteen.

Students finding it necessary to break matriculation for any reason, including student and academic discipline, must adhere to the academic requirements in place upon their re-reenrollment. However, students who apply for a Leave of Absence will maintain their catalog year for up to two lapsed semesters; an un-enrolled third semester will cause the student to fulfill the graduation requirements in place at the time of re-enrollment.

At any time, students may choose to meet the requirements of a more recent catalog than the one in place at the time of their first matriculation. This can be accomplished by submitting the Academic Declaration & Update form to the Office of the Registrar. This change must be approved by the Department Chairman.

While Patrick Henry College will seek to maintain continuity of degree program and academic requirements, amendments may be necessary from time to time due to changes in finances, personnel, accreditation, or governing bodies. Students will be notified of these changes. In all cases, College administrators will attempt to mitigate any harmful effects upon student progress toward graduation to the maximum extent possible.

Course Load
The average course load for a full time on-campus student is fifteen (15) semester credits. The college charges full time tuition for students enrolled in twelve to eighteen credit hours; additional costs are incurred per credit over eighteen hours.

A student is considered part time when enrolled in eleven or fewer credits; tuition for part time students is calculated on a per credit basis.

Degree seeking students enrolled in the distance program may take up to eighteen credit hours per semester.

Non-degree students (both distance learning and on-campus) are permitted to take a maximum of thirty credit hours. Additional course work requires admission as a degree-seeking student.

Course Overload
Students must petition to enroll in nineteen or more credit hours by submitting a letter to the Office of the Registrar that includes the number of credits desired and the rationale for the request. Overload credits must be approved by both the Registrar and the Department Chairman. The Registrar or the Department Chairman may request a personal interview with the student upon consideration. Factors that may influence whether permission is granted include the advisor’s recommendation, student’s grade point average, type of credit, and employment requirements. Permission must be granted prior to registration.

Class Standing
Academic classification is established for all Patrick Henry College students according to the following credit standards:

Credits Earned	Class Standing
0-29	Freshman
30-62	Sophomore
63-94	Junior
95+	Senior

 

Advising
As students matriculate into the college for the first time, they are assigned an academic advisor based upon their anticipated academic program listed upon their admission materials. Students whose intended majors are unknown are assigned an advisor whose teaching responsibilities are within the core curriculum. As students declare their majors with the Office of the Registrar, their advisor may be changed to a content expert within their chosen field.

Advisors assist students with major declarations, course planning, and academic concerns in a manner that meets their career and educational goals. It is important that students maintain regular contact with their faculty advisor to assist them as they matriculate towards graduation.

Students may request to change their academic advisor by submitting an Academic Declaration & Update form to the Office of the Registrar. This change must be approved by the Department Chairman and the Registrar.

Students are the sole individuals responsible for fulfilling all graduation requirements according to the requirements listed in the catalog. In no case are college employees responsible for a student’s failure in meeting his/her degree requirements.