Curriculum Program Completion and Graduation

Policy Statement

Durham Technical Community College provides educational opportunities for students to acquire relevant credentials, successfully transfer to other institutions of higher education, and secure meaningful employment. Students earn associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates upon satisfactory completion of all requirements for curriculum program completion and graduation.

Procedure

Associate Degree Requirements  

The college awards six associate degrees: the Associate in Arts, the Associate in Science, the Associate in Fine Arts, the Associate in Engineering, the Associate in Applied Science, and the Associate in General Education. The requirements for degrees are as follows:

• Associate in Arts (AA) Degree and Associate in Science (AS) Degree (two-year degrees designed for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs)

1. Official copies of any high school verification documents (transcript or copy of diploma) and/or college transcripts used for program admission or course credit, on file in the student's record at Durham Tech.
2. Completion of the required program courses totaling a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours of credit
3. Completion of a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours of credit within the degree program (25 percent of the total) earned in residence at Durham Tech.
4. A program Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.

Note: The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (2014 CAA) between the governing boards of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and the University of North Carolina (UNC GA) enables graduates who are admitted to constituent transfer institutions to transfer with junior status. To be eligible for the  transfer with junior status under the 2014 CAA, the student must graduate from the community college with an AA or AS degree and have a program GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and a grade of "C" or better in all courses that satisfy the degree. Students who do not complete the degree are eligible to transfer credits on a  course-by-course basis.

• Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) Degree

1. Official copies of any high school verification documents (transcript or copy of diploma) and/or college transcripts used for program admission or course credit, on file in the student's record at Durham Tech.
2. Completion of the required program courses totaling a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours of credit
3. Completion of a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours of credit within the degree program (25 percent of the total) earned in residence at Durham Tech.
4. A program GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Note: Students who earn an AFA degree with 64 semester hours of credit must earn a “C” or better in all  courses and have a program GPA of 2.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive academic credit upon transfer to a North Carolina public university. As of 2015, there is a task force working to create a universal articulation  agreement for the AFA degree between the NCCCS and UNC-GA; however, universal articulation is not  guaranteed and may be different from receiving institution to receiving institution.

• Associate in Engineering (AE) Degree

1. Official copies of any high school verification documents (transcript or copy of diploma) and/or college transcripts used for program admission or course credit, on file in the student's record at Durham Tech.
2. Completion of the required program courses totaling a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours of credit
3. Completion of a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours of credit within the degree program (25 percent of the total) earned in residence at Durham Tech.
4. A program GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Note: The 2015 Uniform Articulation Agreement (Associate in Engineering) between the NCCCS and the five  UNC system schools that offer the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) guarantees that students who  follow the AE Plan of Study will meet the entrance requirements at all North Carolina public BSE programs;  however, admission to those programs is competitive and not guaranteed. To be eligible for transfer of credits  from the AE program to a BSE program, students must earn a “C” or better in each course and a program GPA  of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

• Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree

1. Official copies of any high school verification documents (transcript or copy of diploma) and/or college transcripts used for program admission or course credit, on file in the student's record at Durham Tech.
2. Completion of a minimum of sixty-four (64) semester hours of credit (or a greater number if specified by the program of study), including the required general education courses.
3. Completion of a minimum of sixteen (16) semester hours of credit within the degree program (at least 25 percent of the total) earned in residence at Durham Tech.
4. A program GPA of 2.0 or higher.
5. Specified programs may require a grade of no less than “C” in some courses as designated in the appropriate program handbook.

• Associate in General Education (AGE) Degree

1. Official copies of any high school verification documents (transcript or copy of diploma) and/or college transcripts used for program admission or course credit, on file in the student's record at Durham Tech.
2. Completion of a minimum of sixty-four (64) semester hours of credit, as approved by the program director and academic advisors, including any required general education courses, with at least 25 percent of the total earned in residence at Durham Tech.
3. An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Diploma Requirements

The college awards diplomas upon completion of a minimum of thirty-six (36) semester hours of credit (a greater number may be specified by the program of study) of required courses in the student's program of study, including general education requirements. The requirements for diplomas are as follows:

1. Official copies of any high school verification documents (transcript or copy of diploma) and/or college transcripts used for program admission or course credit, on file in the student's record at Durham Tech.
2. Completion of the required courses in the student's program of study, including any required general education courses
3. Completion of a minimum of nine (9)–twelve (12) semester hours of credit within the diploma program (25 percent of the total) earned in residence at Durham Tech.
4. A program GPA of 2.0 or higher.
5. Specified programs may require a grade of no less than “C” in some courses as designated in the appropriate program handbook.

Certificate Requirements

Certificates are awarded for programs of study requiring a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of credit to a maximum of eighteen (18) semester hours of credit. The requirements for certificates are as follows:

1. Official copies of any high school verification documents (transcript or copy of diploma) and/or college transcripts used for program admission or course credit, on file in the student's record at Durham Tec (when this is a certification requirement).
2. Completion of the required courses in the student's program of study.
3. Completion of a minimum of three (3)–five (5) semester hours of credit within the certificate program (at least 25 percent of the total) earned in residence at Durham Tech.
4. A program GPA of 2.0 or higher.
5. Specified programs may require a grade of no less than “C” in some courses as designated in the appropriate program handbook.

Changes in Program Completion Requirements

The college reserves the right to change the requirements for completing a degree, diploma, or certificate program when it is in the best interest of the enrolled students or the academic program. When such changes occur, the college will honor the original program completion requirements for up to four (4) years for students enrolled in the program at the time of the change. Students may fulfill either the original requirements or the changed requirements. However, when a student ceases continuous enrollment, the requirements for program completion will be based on those requirements in effect when the student re-enrolls in the program, not those in effect when the student originally entered the program. Exceptions to this catalog year change must be made with the approval of the vice president for student learning and instructional services. Students who change their academic program are also admitted to the new program under the current plan of study. 

Graduation

Students seeking to graduate with a degree, diploma, or certificate must apply for graduation through the Graduation Overview section in Self-Service one semester before their anticipated date of graduation. For example, students should apply for graduation when they register for fall semester if they plan to graduate at the end of spring semester. In order for an earned degree, diploma, or certificate to be noted on a transcript, a graduation audit must be completed.

Graduation audits are completed at no cost to the students. However, students who would like to receive a printed degree, diploma, or certificate are required to complete a Diploma Request form and pay a diploma fee to cover the cost of each award’s paper, cover, and printing. No refunds are possible once the credential has been printed. Students who wish to participate in the annual commencement ceremony are required to pay a commencement fee. 

Students should contact Student Information and Records (Phail Wynn, Jr. Student Services Center (Building 10), room 10-201, Main Campus; 919-536-7200, ext. 1804) for more information about graduation audit and diploma requests.

Administrative Graduation

After graduation audit requests are processed at the end of each term, the Student Information and Records office will identify any additional students who have satisfied any program completion requirements. Any student who has completed program requirements may then be administratively graduated, and the earned credential will be noted on the student’s transcript. The student will also receive communications from Student Information and Records with details on how to obtain a printed diploma and how to participate in the annual commencement ceremony.

Definitions

Continuous Enrollment – Students are considered continuously enrolled if they register for and attend courses or prerequisites creditable toward a degree, diploma, or certificate. The student must attend credit coursework in a following consecutive semester after the initial enrollment semester (attendance is required in the following fall or spring semester or following spring or fall semester). 

Graduation Audit Request – Form submitted to Student Information and Records that initiates a review of a student’s academic record to determine if program completion requirements for the identified academic program have been satisfied.

Diploma Request – Form submitted to Student Information and Records that initiates the process of printing a diploma for a student who has satisfied program completion requirements. In this instance, “diploma” refers to a document bearing record of graduation from the college, regardless of credential type.

Diploma Fee – Fee charged to a student who orders a printed diploma. The fee is payable at the time the student submits a diploma request form. If a student wants a printed diploma for each credential earned, he or she must pay a separate fee for each diploma.

Commencement Fee – Fee charged to students who intend to participate in the annual commencement ceremony. The fee covers the cost of regalia, including cap, gown, tassel, cords, and/or medallions for academic recognition. The fee is payable in the spring semester following official notification that the student is eligible to graduate and/or participate in the commencement ceremony.