Program-Specific Policies

Computer Information Systems

Computer technology (CIS, CIST, CMP) courses older than 5 years on the date of admission to Georgia Piedmont Technical College or on the date of restart following an absence of one (1) full year or more will not be accepted for graduation credit. Exceptions to the 5-year computer technology rule for legacy languages and/or other static technologies may be approved by the appropriate Academic Dean.

Cosmetology

Program Technical Course: (COSM/COS) must be repeated if more than one (1) year or older

Early Childhood Care and Education

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program maintains articulation agreements for transfer of credit to several 4-year Bachelor Degree-granting institutions. These agreements require that students maintain a “C” or better in all courses taken toward their Early Childhood Care and Education Associate’s degree. Therefore, ALL required courses of the ECCE program at GPTC require a grade of “C” or better, or they must be repeated to satisfy graduation requirements. Any ECCE course older than 10 years on the date of admission to the program will not be accepted for graduation credit. Failure or withdrawal twice from the same ECCE course, or failure or withdrawal from any two (2) ECCE program courses may result in expulsion from the ECCE program.

Allied Health – All programs

Students enrolled in any Allied Health program must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses. This standard applies to both general education and occupational courses. If a student receives a grade below a “C,” the course must be repeated to meet program requirements.

Health Information Management Technology

Students admitted to the Health Information Management Technology diploma and degree programs (HI12 and HI13) in Spring 2020 (202014) and beyond must pass all program and general education courses with a C or better to graduate.

Program Science Courses: ALHS and Anatomy & Physiology courses must be repeated if five (5) years or older at the time of admission to the program.

Program Technical Courses: HIMT courses must be repeated if more than five (5) years or older at the time of admission into the program.

Medical Assisting

Program Science Courses: ALHS courses must be repeated if five (5) years or older at the time of admission to the program.

Program Technical Courses: MAST or MAS must be repeated if more than one (1) year or older at the time of admission into the program.

Surgical Technology

A minimum of a 2.75 is required to be admitted into the Surgical Technology Program. Surgical Technology courses can only be transferred in from another TCSG school. Competency testing may be required.

Students admitted to the Surgical Technology degree programs, ST13, must pass all occupational, non-occupational and general education courses with a C, 2.0, or better and maintain a GPA of 2.75 or greater to graduate.

Program Science Courses: ALHS and Anatomy & Physiology courses must be repeated if five (5) years or older at the time of admission to the program.

Program re-entry into the second or third semesters of the program will be based on an academic test over the previous semesters, an appropriate skills check-off, and clinical site and course space availability. Failure of either the academic test or skills check-off will disqualify the student for re-entry into the second or third semesters.

Opticianry

Students admitted to the Opticianry diploma and degree programs must pass all program and general education courses with a C or better to graduate.

Program Technical Courses: OPHD or OPD courses must be repeated if one (1) year or older at the time of admission into the program.

Practical Nursing

All Practical Nursing students are required to complete the ATI TEAS. TEAS score must be 68% or higher to participate in the PN selection process.

Students admitted to the Practical Nursing program must pass all program and general education courses with a C or better to graduate. Students are given two(2) attempts to complete the program.

PNSG courses can only be completed while in the Practical Nursing Program.

Medical Laboratory Technology

Program Science Courses: BIOL or BIO and CHEM or CHM must be repeated if ten (10) years or older at the time of admission to the program.

Program Technical Courses: CLBT courses must be repeated if more than five (5) years or older at the time of admission into the program.

Nurse Aide

Program Science Courses: ALHS or AHS courses must be repeated if five (5) years or older at the time of admission to the program.

Program Technical Course: NAST or CNA courses must be repeated if over one (1) year or older to be eligible to take the Georgia Nurse Aide Competency Exam.

Phlebotomy

Program Science Courses: ALHS or AHS courses must be repeated if five (5) years or older at the time of admission to the program.

Program Technical Courses: PHLT or PHL courses must be repeated if six (6) months or older at the time of admission into the program.

Associate of Applied Science in Allied Health Professions

Practical Nursing Specialization: PNSG courses can only be completed while in the Practical Nursing Program.

Paralegal

Students enrolled in the Paralegal Studies AAS degree program or Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Studies Certificate program must complete at least 25 percent of the legal specialty courses required for award of the degree or certificate at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. In addition, each student must complete a minimum of 10 percent legal specialty courses delivered through traditional classroom instruction. The GPTC Paralegal Studies Program will only accept legal specialty transfer credits from other ABA approved schools. The GPTC Paralegal Studies Program does not award any legal specialty transfer credit through examination or portfolios.

To be admitted into the Paralegal Studies Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, the following will be required:

Completion of ENGL 1101 with a minimum grade of “C”.

Students will attend a program orientation and/or advisement meeting, to be scheduled by the Paralegal Studies Program Director.

Students must complete PARA 1100, Introduction to Law and Ethics, as a prerequisite to all other paralegal studies courses.

Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 to remain eligible for continued enrollment in the Paralegal Studies program.

Failure (“D” or “F”) and/or withdrawal twice from the same course or failure (“D” or “F”) and/or withdrawal from any two (2) program courses results in expulsion from the Paralegal Studies program.

Unauthorized Practice of Law - The goal of the Paralegal Studies Program is to train students in legal theory and to improve a student’s analytical, communication and practical skills. Paralegals shall not engage in the unauthorized practice of law as proscribed by the Official Code of Georgia § 15-19-51 and must work under the supervision and direction of an attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.