Original Approval: 04/01/2022
Last Updated: 05/13/2025
Last Reviewed: 05/13/2025
Policy/Purpose:
It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations as well as Alabama Community College System (ACCS) policies related to Instructional Programs and regarding the level of credit awarded for courses taught at all colleges within the ACCS, regardless of the format or mode of delivery. The ACCS requires all institutions in the System to operate on a semester system.
It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College that students are classified into categories.
NOTE: This policy is subject to change at any time without notification. ACCS policies related to Academic Instruction supersede this policy.
Scope:
This policy applies to all Coastal Alabama Community College students and employees during any activity involving the College, including the workday. In addition, visitors, vendors, contractors, and all other non-employees are expected to recognize and comply with College policies.
Definitions:
Classification of Students: Students are generally classified into two categories. Exceptions to these categories are identified in the Classification of Students section below.
- Freshman: A student who has earned fewer than 30 semester hours of credit.
- Sophomore: A student who has earned 30 or more semester hours of credit.
Details:
- Students are generally classified as freshmen or sophomores. Additional attributes may include:
- High School Dual Enrollment, Accelerated, or Home School Student: A student enrolled in college credit courses who is still attending high school.
- Unclassified: Students enrolled in credit courses who:
- Are enrolled in adult basic education, developmental education, adult secondary education, or other non-credit courses.
- Already have an associate degree or higher, but who are taking courses at the same level or lower.
- Full-time Student: A student enrolled in 12 or more credit hours during a spring, fall, or summer semester.
- Part-time Student: A student enrolled for less than 12 credit hours during a spring, fall, or summer semester.
- Transient Student: A student enrolled at another college or university who is taking classes at an Alabama Community College System institution for the express purpose of transferring credit to the home college or university.
Procedure(s):
- Credit hours are calculated to determine appropriate classification of students.
Additional Provisions/Information
Refer to Financial Aid Policy if receiving any type of financial aid regarding repetition of courses.