GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE CATALOG

AccreditationGeorgia Highlands College (GHC) is accredited by the Southern Association ofColleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureatedegrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of GHC.The Associate of Science in Nursing degree and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing(RN-BSN) degree are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education inNursing (ACEN) (3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326,www.acenursing.org, 404-975-5000).The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on DentalAccreditation (211 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611,www.ada.org/prof/ed/accred).College FoundationThe Georgia Highlands College Foundation has been committed to supporting thecollege for nearly five decades and was originally founded as the Floyd CollegeFoundation in 1973. As the college expanded into Cartersville, theCartersville/Bartow College Foundation was established in 1999. In support of theinstitution’s growth and regional expansion, the two foundations were combined andthe name was changed to the Georgia Highlands College Foundation in 2005.The Georgia Highlands College Foundation works closely with the college to supportits programs, student scholarships, and advancement activities, includingdevelopment of a comprehensive campaign strategy to include major gifts, annualfund, and planned giving programs.Foundation trustees are members of the communities served by the institution. Theydevote their time and energy enlarging the scope and influence of the college bygarnering resources that benefit the college and its students, improving the quality oflife for the communities it serves. Through these efforts, donations received providemuch needed student scholarships and support special funding initiatives andservices.The leadership provided by the foundation trustees combined with the efforts of thecollege’s Advancement Division is essential to the success of the college and thestudents who attend. As a regional, multi-campus institution serving NorthwestGeorgia, Georgia Highlands College is indebted to the community leaders who serveas foundation trustees and the many donors who support the mission of GHC andembrace its vision.11

Civil Rights ComplianceGeorgia Highlands College is an equal educational opportunity institution and, assuch, students are admitted and treated on the basis of merit and performance onlywithout regard to race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, disability or veteranstatus. The college is in compliance with the regulations of Title IX of the EducationAmendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1978Georgia General Assembly Act 807.Equal Employment OpportunitiesNo person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin,age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information,political persuasion, disability, or veteran status be excluded from employment orparticipation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected todiscrimination under any program or activity conducted by Georgia HighlandsCollege. This policy ensures fair treatment of all employees and applicants as well ascompliance with related laws.Drug-Free Workplace PolicyGeorgia Highlands College is committed to maintaining a campus community that isdrug and alcohol free. Georgia Highlands College expects all employees to meetappropriate standards of performance, to observe basic rules of good conduct and tocomply with institutional employment policies and procedures. The adherence tothese policies on alcohol and drugs shall be the individual and personalresponsibility of each employee of the College. Any employee who violates the policyon alcohol and/or drugs shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and includingtermination from the College and referral to the appropriate, federal, state, and/orlocal authorities for prosecution, as appropriate.Nondiscrimination and Anti-HarassmentGeorgia Highlands College strives to create and maintain an environment in whichpeople are treated with respect and employees and students are able to work andlearn in a safe environment. Therefore, Georgia Highlands College will not toleratediscrimination or harassment. Through enforcement of this policy and througheducation, Georgia Highlands College will seek to prevent, correct, and disciplinebehavior that violates this policy.This policy applies to all employees and students at all locations regardless of theirstatus or position within the College, and they are expected to comply with it. Anyemployee or student who violates this policy will be subject to dismissal or otherdisciplinary action commensurate with the seriousness of the offense.Student EmploymentVarious student employment opportunities are available. The Georgia Security andImmigration Compliance Act requires the use of the "Federal Work Authorization12

Program" known as the E-Verify system to electronically verify information on allnewly hired employees. The finalist will also be required to submit to a backgroundinvestigation as required in USG Board of Regents policies and guidelines.Limitation on Institutional LiabilityIn the event that an administrative hearing officer or a court of records determinesthat publications issued by the college create a contractual or quasi-contractualrelationship with any person, the amount of damages recoverable by the partiesshall be limited to the amount of consideration paid by the person for the privilegeof admission, enrollment, continued enrollment or other service rendered by theinstitution to such person. As used herein, the term publications (without limitingthe generality of the normal meaning of the term) shall be deemed to include anyand all written forms of other documents issued by the institution concerningapplications for admission, enrollment or continued enrollment, waivers of liability,consents to medical treatment, and any and all other written forms, documents,letters or other materials issued by the college in furtherance of its educationalmission.Crime and Safety ReportIn compliance with Title IV, Georgia Highlands College publishes a safety reportthat includes crime statistics for all campus centers each year. The report isdistributed to students and employees by October 1 of each year posted on thecampus safety Web page. Additionally, GHC has created detailed emergency plansand regularly conducts exercises to handle a variety of situations.13

INSTITUTIONALMISSION14

INSTITUTIONAL MISSION AND GOALSI. Mission and GoalsThe mission of Georgia Highlands College, a state college of the UniversitySystem of Georgia, is to provide access to excellent educational opportunitiesfor the intellectual, cultural and physical development of a diverse populationthrough pre-baccalaureate associate degree transfer degree programs, careerassociate degree programs, and targeted baccalaureate degree programs thatmeet the economic development needs of the region.To achieve this mission of being a gateway to success for students, GeorgiaHighlands College has articulated the following goals: Effect quality teaching and learning that are focused onacademic achievement and personal and professionalgrowth. Provide comprehensive student services that encourage andenable all students to be successful learners. Engage students in a challenging atmosphere that preparesthem for responsibility and leadership in an evolving globalenvironment. Utilize appropriate technologies to advance programs, servicesand operations to support teaching and learning. Maintain efficient and effective administrative services andfacilities to support all programs of the college. Foster community relationships that facilitate partnering formutual success.II. PhilosophyThe philosophy of Georgia Highlands College is expressed in the beliefsthat education is essential to the intellectual, physical, economic, social,emotional, cultural, and environmental well-being of individuals andsociety and that education should be geographically and physicallyaccessible and affordable.In support of this philosophy, the College maintains a teaching/learningenvironment which promotes inclusiveness and provides educationalopportunities, programs and services of excellence in response todocumented needs.15

III. Shared Values1)2)3)4)5)Access - making programs and services available within our service areaStudent Success –placing students at the heart of what we doIntegrity - demonstrating an ethical approach by our words and actionsExcellence - providing the highest level of quality service and teachingFreedom of expression - allowing all campus constituents to sharethoughts and feelings in an honorable and open way6) Inclusiveness - appreciating and incorporating the uniqueness ofall individuals7) Cooperation - modeling and forming collegial andproductive relationships8) Passion - inspiring others to create an environment of teaching,learning and work where all parties grow and are challenged9) Critical Thinking - making decisions informed by data and shapedby context10) Collaboration - building and fostering relationships that providethe highest mutual benefit to the college and the communities weserveGeorgia Highlands College Welcome StatementGeorgia Highlands College (GHC) is actively building a community of diversecultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. At GHC, we appreciate andleverage our differences while fostering an equitable environment whereeveryone is valued, included, and respected. Additionally, GHCstrives for continuous improvement and innovation in our polices, practices,and resources. We are committed to providing genuine opportunities to thriveregardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religious belief, political belief,gender, age, sexual orientation, economic status, physical ability, mentalability, or any other distinction.Continuously committed to encouraging and supporting healthy lifestyles,healthy communities and the overall success of present and futuregenerations, GHC will not tolerate bias, expressions of hatred, prejudice orbehaviors that infringe upon the freedom and civility every individualdeserves and we expect. Abuse or harassment against anyone on ourcampuses, whether verbal, physical or psychological is unacceptable and willnot be tolerated.All GHC students and employees dedicate themselves to implementing anddefending these principles as core values of the college's mission and goals.16

ADMISSIONS17

ADMISSIONSGeorgia Highlands College (GHC) is proud to provide access to educationalopportunities throughout Northwest Georgia and welcomes all applicants.Prospective students may apply online at www.highlands.edu.Applications and all required supporting materials and/or documents must besubmitted to the GHC Office of Admissions no later than the published deadline forthe semester in which the student intends to enroll. Because the college might find itnecessary to cease accepting applications for a specific semester, all applicants areencouraged to apply – or to reapply, well in advance of the publishedapplication/document deadline. Late applicants are considered at the discretion ofthe Director of Admissions.An admission application is term specific and valid only for the semester andenrollment status for which it is submitted. Applicants who are admitted and wish tochange the enrollment status of their application from one applicant type to adifferent applicant type (example from a transfer student to a transient student),must do so (in writing) prior to the published application deadline for the intendedsemester. Applicants who are admitted but do not register for classes or who do notcomplete the admissions process, must complete another application for admissionindicating the new semester for which they intend to enroll in order to have theirapplication file moved to a future semester. If new admissions policies exist at thattime, applicants must meet those requirements. An applicant who has attendedanother college in the interim period must have all official transcripts sent to GHCfrom each institution attended.Documents and Materials Required for Consideration of AdmissionNOTICE: Required documents are based on the applicant’s enrollment category.Additional documentation may be required after review of the application. Faxed oremailed transcripts are not accepted. Completed GHC Application for AdmissionApplication processing feeo An application processing fee waiver code may be issued with SAT/ACTwaiver form and submission of official SAT or ACT test scoreso Application processing fee is waived for all Dual Enrollment applicantsProof of lawful presence in the U.S.18

o Verification of lawful presence is required for all applicants whoindicate that they are seeking in-state tuitiono Verification of lawful presence is waived for Dual Enrollment applicantsOfficial preliminary/in-progress high school transcript with grades earned topresento An early admission decision may be granted with a minimum 2.4preliminary high school grade point average (as calculated by theCollege)Official final high school transcript with date of graduationo Required for all freshman applicants after graduation date ispostedo A minimum 2.0 high school grade point average is required for regularadmission (as calculated by the College)An official college, university or technical school transcript is required from allpreviously attended institutions (if applicable)Copy of original GED score report (if applicable)Official Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores or American College Testing(ACT) scores sent directly from the testing authority (if applicable)Dual Enrollment Consent Form (if applicable)Transient permission letter (if applicable)International applicant documents (see International Freshman Applicantssection of this catalog or GHC International Student website for moreinformation)o Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable) Applicants who are non-native speakers of English, or whoattended a secondary or post-secondary institution whereEnglish was not the primary language of instruction, orapplicants who take English as a second language courses in 9th– 12th grade, are required to provide proof of English languageproficiency.o An official evaluation report of international education credentials mustbe mailed directly from one of the recognized credential evaluationagencies listed on the GHC International Students website (ifapplicable)o Copy of original Permanent Resident Alien Card (if applicable)o Copy of current U.S. visa (if applicable)o Notarized USCIS form I-134 Affidavit of Support (if applicable) Form I-134 must be accompanied by sponsor’s official/originalbank statement (required for students seeking / holding an F1student visa)o GHC International Student Data Intake Form (required for studentsseeking / holding an F1 student visa)o GHC International Student Transfer Clearance Form (required for F1student visa holders who seek to transfer their current SEVIS record toGHC from another U.S. school)19

o Copy of any available immigration documents (example: I-94, USCISNotice of Action, Employment Authorization Card - if applicable)Certification of immunization signed by a licensed healthcare provider isrequired for continued registration (after students first semester ofattendance) at GHC. The GHC Immunization form is available on the Office ofAdmissions website at highlands.edu.Admission RequirementsNew applicants and returning students who have not attended GHC within one calendar year,must meet the current University System of Georgia (USG) requirements for admission(found under the Student Affairs resource page at usg.edu) and any additional requirementsthat may be prescribed by the College in order to be considered for admission.Learning Support Placement and Admissions StandardsAll applicants (new and returning) are evaluated for exemption of learningsupport in the areas of English/Reading and/or Math, or for placement (into orout of) learning support coursework.Although GHC does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission (except asdesignated for specific student types), submitting official scores may help toexem

CORRESPONDENCE DIRECTORY GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE - CARTERSVILLE SITE 5441 Highway 20 NE Cartersville, GA 30121 Phone (678) 872-8000 – Fax (678) 872-8013 GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE - DOUGLASVILLE SITE 5901 Stewart Parkway Douglasville, GA 30135 Phone (678) 872-4200 - Fax (678) 872-4235