Academic Honors

Dean’s List – A Dean’s List shall be compiled at the end of each semester. The requirements for the Dean’s List shall be:

• A grade point average for the term of 3.5 to 3.99 on a 4.00 scale.
• A completion of 12 credit hours of college-level work for the semester. Developmental courses do not count toward the minimum course load requirement.

President’s List – A President’s List shall be compiled at the end of each semester. The requirements for the President’s List shall be:

• A grade point average for the term of 4.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• A completion of 12 credit hours of college-level work for the semester. Developmental courses do not count toward the minimum course load requirement.

Commencement Honors

Candidates for commencement will be recognized in the printed program for academic achievement. Recognition will be given according to the following designations:

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE (AAS), ASSOCIATE IN ARTS (AA) OR ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE (AS)

Graduation with Honors
(3.50 – 3.69 cumulative GPA)

Graduation with High Honors
(3.70 – 3.89 cumulative GPA)

Graduation with Highest Honors
(3.90 – 4.00 cumulative GPA)

Certificate

Graduation with Distinction
(3.50 – 4.00 cumulative GPA)

In order to be eligible for any academic honor, a candidate must have completed a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of credit at Trenholm State.

• Degree and Certificates

  The college awards associate degrees, certificates, and short-term certificates that are based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education, and that include general education components ensuring a breadth of knowledge that promotes intellectual inquiry and critical thinking. Student are responsible for completing their Application for Graduation at least one term prior to their planned term of graduation. The Application for Graduation is located on the Graduation Tab.

  Associates in Arts Degree

  College Transfer – Course work leading to the Associate in Arts (AA) degree designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Students are assigned to advisors in the General Education and Social Sciences Division. Degree plans have been outlined in the catalog to guide students in the choice and sequence of courses.

  A student shall be awarded the Associate in Arts degree upon satisfactory completion of the requirements of a specific program in accordance with policies of the Alabama Community College System. A student must:

  • Satisfactorily complete an approved program of study, including prescribed general education courses.
  • Earn a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in all courses attempted. The calculation of the grade point average for graduation shall not include grades earned for developmental courses. All grades earned in courses which have been repeated will be calculated into the cumulative grade point average. However, only the last grade awarded in a course will be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average for graduation purposes.
  • Complete at least 25% of the total semester hours at the College.
  • Must satisfy all requirements for graduation within one calendar year from the last term of attendance. This timeframe includes credits earned at other colleges.
  • Fulfill all financial, academic, and admissions obligations to the College.
  • Submit an “Intent to Graduate” form, with graduation fee (if applicable), to the Office of Admissions and Records at the time of registration for the final semester of enrollment. This form must have the completed degree plan attached.

  Associates in Science Degree

  College Transfer – Course work leading to the Associate in Science (AS) degree are designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Students are assigned to advisors in the General Education and Social Sciences Division. Degree plans have been outlined in the catalog to guide students in the choice and sequence of courses.

  A student shall be awarded the Associate in Science degree upon satisfactory completion of the requirements of a specific program in accordance with policies of the Alabama Community College System. A student must:

  • Satisfactorily complete an approved program of study, including prescribed general education courses.
  • Earn a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in all courses attempted. The calculation of the grade point average for graduation shall not include grades earned for developmental courses. All grades earned in courses which have been repeated will be calculated into the cumulative grade point average. However, only the last grade awarded in a course will be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average for graduation purposes.
  • Complete at least 25% of the total semester hours at the College.
  • Must satisfy all requirements for graduation within one calendar year from the last term of attendance. This timeframe includes credits earned at other colleges.
  • Fulfill all financial, academic, and admissions obligations to the College.
  • Submit an “Intent to Graduate” form, with graduation fee (if applicable), to the Office of Admissions and Records at the time of registration for the final semester of enrollment. This form must have the completed degree plan attached.

  Associates in Applied Science Degree

  The Associate in Applied Science degree is a specialized degree in a specific technical field. The degree is awarded based on the completion of an approved Degree Plan which includes specific technical courses from the technical area plus designated general education requirements. Requirements are listed with the program descriptions.

  Since general education courses provide students with a solid understanding of a wide variety of subjects and methods of learning, the general education courses are required of all students seeking an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree. General education courses also provide students with an exposure to broader and more varied intellectual concepts, thereby impacting each program by providing more quality and enhancing marketability of graduates.

  To ensure preparedness of all students seeking an AAS, the College has developed the following general education competencies which are assessed throughout the year in identified general education courses: computer literacy skills, computational skills, oral communication skills, and written communication skills.

  A student shall be awarded the Associate in Applied Science degree upon satisfactory completion of the requirements of a specific program in accordance with policies of the Alabama Community College System. A student must:

  • Satisfactorily complete an approved program of study, including prescribed general education courses.
  • Earn a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in all courses attempted. The calculation of the grade point average for graduation shall not include grades earned for developmental courses. All grades earned in courses which have been repeated will be calculated into the cumulative grade point average. However, only the last grade awarded in a course will be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average for graduation purposes.
  • Complete at least 25% of the total semester hours at the College.
  • Must satisfy all requirements for graduation within one calendar year from the last term of attendance. This timeframe includes credits earned at other colleges.
  • Fulfill all financial, academic, and admissions obligations to the College.
  • Submit an “Intent to Graduate” form, with graduation fee (if applicable), to the Office of Admissions and Records at the time of registration for the final semester of enrollment. This form must have the completed degree plan attached.

  Certificate Requirements

  Each Certificate program is designed to prepare the student for employment in one of several technical or skilled jobs in a specific occupational area. Each program requires in-depth technical preparation supported by related general education courses. The award is based upon completion of an approved Degree Plan.

  Certificate (CER) 30 to 60 Credit Hours

  A student may be granted a certificate upon satisfactory completion of the requirements of the specific program in accordance with the Alabama Community College policies. To earn a Certificate a student must:

  • Satisfactorily complete an approved program of study.
  • Earn a 2.0 or above cumulative grade point average in all courses attempted. The calculation of the grade point average for graduation shall not include grades earned in developmental courses. All grades earned in courses repeated will be calculated into the grade point average. However, the last grade earned in a course will be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average for graduation purposes.
  • Complete at least 25% of the total semester credit hours required in the program at Trenholm State Community College.
  • Must satisfy all requirements for graduation within one calendar year from the last term of attendance.
  • Fulfill all financial, academic, and admissions obligations to the College.
  • Submit an “Intent to Graduate” form, with graduation fee (if applicable), to the Office of Admissions and Records at the time of registration for the final semester of enrollment. This form must have the completed degree plan attached.

  Short-Term Certificate (STC) 9 to 29 Credit Hours

  Each Short-Term Certificate program is designed to provide specialized preparation in a specific technical skill. The program requires several closely related technical courses. The Short-Term Certificate is appropriate for an individual who plans to enter a job requiring specific technical skills or for a currently employed individual who needs to develop a new skill or to upgrade an existing skill. The award is based upon completion of an approved Degree Plan.

  To earn a Short-Term Certificate a student must:

  • Satisfactorily complete an approved program of study.
  • Earn a 2.0 or above cumulative grade point average in all courses attempted. The calculation of the grade point average for graduation shall not include grades earned in developmental courses. All grades earned in courses which have been repeated will be calculated into the grade point average. However, the last grade earned in a course will be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average for graduation purposes.
  • Complete all credit hours required in the program at Trenholm State Community College.
  • Fulfill all financial, academic, and admission obligations to the College.
  • Submit an “Intent to Graduate” form, with graduation fee (if applicable), to the Office of Records at the time of registration for the final semester of enrollment. This form must have the completed degree plan attached.

   Multiple Degrees

  To receive a second Associate Degree from Trenholm State Community College, a student must earn a minimum of twenty (20) semester credit hours beyond the requirements for the first degree and which are a part of the program requirements for the second degree. Also, a student must meet all other graduation requirements.

Digital Degrees for Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 Graduates and Beyond!

Trenholm State Community College has partnered with Parchment to offer an official digital version of your degree!

We are introducing digital degrees and certificates, so only Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 graduates and beyond are candidates for receiving digital degrees. Students who graduated before summer 2023 are not eligible for this service.

It is fast, free, and sharable!

Celebrate your accomplishments with those who supported you, your family, friends, and colleagues. Share your digital degree with potential employers to kick-start the next step in your educational and career journey.

What You Can Do With Your Digital Degree

Share your Achievements!

1.    Easily share your digital degree with employers with a secure and verified link.
2.    Share with family and friends on Facebook and LinkedIn.

View or Download!

1.    View your digital degree online at any time with permanent access.
2.    Download your digital degree and save it as a PDF.

Serve as an Alternative to the Apostille!

1.    Many countries recognize digital degrees. Parchment Award degrees support the need for international credentials.

How to Get Your Digital Degree

Trenholm State offers a digital degree to students right after graduation. You can get your digital degree or certificate faster than your printed award, so it’s a great way to immediately share your accomplishment with your family, friends, and potential employers.

Upon completing a degree or certification program, graduates will receive an email and text notification with instructions for electronically claiming their degree or certificate.

Follow these easy steps:

1.    Check your college email and text messages for the award notification.
2.    Follow the link to set up your Parchment digital credentials account.
3.    Share your digital degree on Facebook and LinkedIn or download a secure PDF version.

Your digital degree will always be accessible through your Parchment account. You can log in and download or share it repeatedly at no cost. Your degree will be sent to your college email address on file. Remember to update your cellular number.

How to Get Your Printed Degree

After the semester ends, you should receive your printed degree in the mail within four to six weeks from the address on file in the Office of Records. You MUST pay the 25.00 graduation fee. An additional or duplicate degree is also 25.00.

* All college financial obligations must be satisfied before a degree or certificate is released.

Degree or Certificate Replacement

Your digital degree will always be accessible through your Parchment account. You can log in and download or share it repeatedly at no cost. Your degree will be sent to your college email address on file. Remember to update your cellular number.

Trenholm State has partnered with Parchment to offer replacement degree or certificate service for a cost of 25.00. Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 graduates and beyond can request a duplicate copy of their degree or certificate by completing the Duplicate Certificate/Degree Request Form.

Duplicate degrees will be mailed to the address provided within two to three weeks. You will receive a free secure digital copy of your degree or certificate immediately. You must check your email to claim your free digital degree or certificate.

Questions

Please email records@trenholmstate.edu with any questions about the digital degree.

Grade Points

Letter grades are asa

Withdrawal Prior to the Start of Classes

Students who do not completely withdraw from the college but drop a class during the regular drop/add period will be refunded the difference in the tuition paid and the tuition rate applicable to the reduced number of hours, including fees appropriate to the classes dropped. There is no refund due to a student who partially withdraws after the official drop/add period. The last day to drop/add or withdraw is published as part of the college calendar.

Complete Withdrawal

Students who submit a complete withdrawal form prior to the first day of classes for the semester/term will be refunded the total amount of tuition and other refundable fees. The “first day of class” is the first day classes are offered within any term configuration, including, but not limited to, semesters and mini terms. Students who submit a complete withdrawal form on or after the first day of classes, but prior to the end of the third week of classes will be refunded according to the withdrawal date, as follows:

• Total Withdrawal during the first week: 75% refund
• Total Withdrawal during the second week: 50% refund
• Total Withdrawal during the third week: 25% refund
• Total Withdrawal after the end of the third week: no refund

   

An administrative fee not to exceed 5% of tuition and other refundable institutional charges shall be assessed for each withdrawal within the period beginning the first day of class and ending at the end of the third week of class. The first official day of classes is indicated on the College calendar as the day that classes begin. There is only one first day of class. This day may not be the first day on which all classes begin. The calendar also indicates the last day to drop/add. For calculating refunds during the fall and spring sixteen-week terms, a “week” is defined as seven calendar days, i.e. the first day of class running seven calendar days (inclusive of Saturday and Sunday). Refunds of shorter than sixteen weeks, such as summer semesters and mini terms will reflect a prorated week based on the number of days in the term.

Example:

Classes begin June 14; student withdraws June 17.
Fourth day = 75% Refund due.

After the withdrawal form has been processed, the student will not be allowed to re-register for the course during the term of withdrawal. A grade of W will be assigned for classes in which students officially withdraw after the drop/add period until the withdrawal deadline.

If a student stops attending or participating in class assignments without officially withdrawing from the class or the College, a failing grade of F will be assigned.

Course Withdrawal Form

signed according to the following system for all courses for which students have registered:

Satisfactory grades are “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”. However, a grade of “D” is NOT considered a passing grade in a developmental course or in some programs of study. A student must earn a minimum final course average of 70, a grade of “C”, to pass a developmental course. Some programs may have a more stringent grading system due to external agencies/accreditation requirements.

If a student withdraws from courses by the published withdrawal date identified in the College Calendar, a grade of “W” will be assigned. If a student never attended or the class is cancelled, the class will be deleted, and no grade will be assigned.