Academic Information

Academic Integrity

The University of Montana - Helena College of Technology expects its students to adhere to a high standard of academic integrity. It is a violation of academic integrity to present the ideas, designs, or works of another person as one’s own efforts or to permit another person to do so. The following guidelines are intended to clarify these issues for students, faculty, and administration.

The College will regard the following acts as violations of academic integrity constituting academic dishonesty:

Plagiarism - A student will be considered in violation of academic integrity if he or she submits an assignment, whether written, oral, graphic, or computer-generated, which consists wholly or partially of the words, work, or ideas of another individual without giving the original author proper credit.

Copying - A student will be considered in violation of academic integrity if he or she uses crib notes, cheat sheets, books, or any other material or electronic device as aids in an examination or any other graded exercise, unless the instructor of the class has given permission to use such materials. Collaboration with another student on an examination or other graded exercise, unless the instructor has given permission, also constitutes copying.

Contributing to Academic Dishonesty - A student will be considered in violation of academic integrity if he or she willfully assists another student in an act of academic dishonesty.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Academic sanctions for a first violation are at the discretion of the instructor and range from a failing grade for the particular instance to a failing grade in the course in which academic dishonesty occurs. When a faculty member assigns a failing course grade on the basis of academic dishonesty, he or she shall assign a grade of “FX.” The student may petition the Registrar’s Office by letter to remove only the “X” portion of the grade after successfully completing an Ethics course with a grade of “B” or better from any accredited college within three academic years of the original failure. Retaking the failed course does not remove the “F” or “FX” designation from the transcript. A student may not represent the College in any official manner nor hold a student government office with an “FX” grade.

Faculty must report all violations of academic integrity to the student involved, the appropriate Department Chair(s), and to the Associate Dean/Academic Affairs; in cases of repeated offenses, the Associate Dean/Academic Affairs will recommend disciplinary sanctions that may result in expulsion from the College. Students retain their right to due process and may refer to the Student Handbook or the Assistant Dean of Student Services regarding any academic or disciplinary sanctions.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The University of Montana - Helena College of Technology offers the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Accounting Technology, Automotive Technology, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Computer Technology, Construction Technology, Diesel Technology, Electronics Technology, Fire and Rescue, Metals Technology, Nursing, Office Technology, Water Resources, and Welding Technology. The A.A.S. degree is awarded to any student satisfactorily completing a program as established by the College. The A.A.S. degree is not designed for transfer; however, graduates may be accepted into baccalaureate programs offered at several four-year institutions. A passing grade of “C-“ or better in required courses and a 2.0 (2.5 for Nursing) minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) are required for a degree to be awarded. Courses numbered below 100 are not applied toward program completion requirements. Students seeking more than one program must inform the Registrar’s Office and/or the Financial Aid Office. Students will be required to use the catalog in use at the time the program is declared unless a Request to Graduate from Alternate Catalog form is completed and approved. Students entering after a one-semester time lapse (excluding summer) or longer will re-enroll under the current catalog.

Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees

The general Associate of Arts (A.A.) and the Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are general transfer degrees, indicating the student has completed a course of study equivalent to the first two years toward a bachelor’s degree. This degree does not officially include a major or minor course of study; however, the student must select one of several options. The student must meet the requirements as outlined under the Program Offerings section of this catalog to receive the A.A. or A.S. degree. The student must earn a minimum grade of “C-” in each course and maintain a 2.25 (2.5 for Nursing) cumulative GPA in the degree program for a degree to be awarded. Courses numbered below 100 are not applied toward program completion requirements. Students will be required to use the catalog in use at the time the program is declared unless a Request to Graduate from Alternate Catalog form is completed and approved. Students entering after a one-semester time lapse (excluding summer) or longer will re-enroll under the current catalog.

The UM-Helena general education core transfers as a unit and satisfies the lower division component of the general education requirements at all institutions of the Montana University System.

The Registered Nursing Program is a two-semester associate degree program that prepares graduates to function as members and leaders of the health care teams in various health care environments. A current, unencumbered LPN license is required. Please see the Nursing Department Program page for specific requirements.

Certificate of Applied Science

The Certificate of Applied Science is awarded to any student satisfactorily completing a program as established by the College. Passing grades in required courses (a “C-” or better) and a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) are necessary before a certificate will be awarded. Courses numbered below 100 are not applied toward program completion requirements. Students seeking certification in more than one program must inform and receive approval from the Registrar’s Office. Students will be required to use the catalog in use at the time the program is declared unless a Request to Graduate from Alternate Catalog form is completed and approved. Students entering after a one-semester time lapse (excluding summer) or longer will re-enroll under the current catalog.

Attendance

Since good attendance promotes good scholarship, students are expected to attend all class meetings and complete all assignments for courses in which they are enrolled. The attendance policy of the College is as follows:

1. Guidelines used to determine the extent that attendance will affect grades are implemented at the instructor’s discretion and will be stated at the beginning of each course orally and in writing.
2. Excessive absenteeism and/or tardiness may adversely affect a student’s grade.

Instructors may establish attendance policies to conform to the educational goals and requirements of their courses. Such policies will ordinarily be set out in the course syllabus which will describe the procedures for giving timely notice of absences, explain how work missed may be made up, and stipulate any penalty to be assessed for absences.

Audit

With the consent of the instructor, a student may enroll in a course for no-credit (audit). Auditing students pay the same fee as students enrolled for credit. Auditors are not expected to complete course work as students who are enrolled for credit, nor will they take tests. Audit enrollments will not count toward financial aid or degree completion requirements. Students must inform the Registrar’s Office within the first 15 instructional days of the course.

Course Substitutions

Students are required to complete all program courses in order to be awarded their degree or certificate. UM-Helena does allow course substitutions when there is a compelling reason to do so. A course substitution must uphold the integrity of the degree. For more information on the procedure for substituting a course, students should see the Registrar’s Office or their faculty advisor.

Challenging a Course for Credit

A student who has completed course work through experiential learning or non-accredited learning experiences has the option of earning college credit by challenging designated courses. The challenge must be completed within the first 10 instructional days if the course can be challenged. It is important to note that not all courses can be challenged. The instructor will determine if the student’s previous course work and/or experience supports the challenge request. The request must be approved by the Department Chair or a full-time faculty member and then validated through the Registrar’s Office. The exam must be completed with a grade of “B” or better in order to receive credits for the course. A grade of “CH” will be placed on the student’s transcripts with successful completion of the examination. The grade received for the challenge does not affect the student’s GPA. A student receiving a grade of “F,” “NP,” or “W” in a class at the College may not subsequently challenge the course. A student must register and pay tuition for any course being challenged. A student can not challenge more than 25% of the credits required for his or her degree.

Dean’s List

To qualify for the Dean’s List, the student must earn a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher while earning 12 or more semester credits. (P/NP class credits are not included as earned credits for purposes of determining Dean’s List standing.) Grades of “D,” “F,” or “NP” are not allowed. The student and his or her hometown newspaper will receive written notification of the award, and it will appear on his or her transcript for that term.

Drop/Add Classes

Students registered for fall or spring semesters and attending classes may drop or add classes during the first 15 instructional days of the semester. The student must initiate the drop/add process which can be done online for the first five days for adding classes and for the first 15 days for dropping classes. After the online drop/add window has passed, a drop/add form must be completed and returned to the cashier along with a $10 processing fee. If a student drops a class AFTER the first 15 days and prior to three weeks before the end of the course, a “W” (withdraw) will be given. Students cannot drop a class during the last three weeks of the semester and will receive a letter grade from the instructor based on coursework completed. Drop/adds are not used to withdraw completely from the College. Drop/adds for summer semester courses are computed on the same ratio stated above for hours attended to total course hours; the course schedule outlines summer deadlines.

Evening/Saturday Classes

A variety of late afternoon and evening classes are offered based upon the needs of the community and UM-Helena students. These classes are available after 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Applicants interested in classes may contact Admissions and New Student Services.

General Education

Basic academic skills, interpersonal skills, technological skills, and critical thinking skills are vitally important to the success of the individual worker and the workplace that he or she enters.

To receive a Certificate of Applied Science in a technical program, students need to demonstrate competence in basic skills in mathematics, communication, and computer technology related to effective performance on the job. They must also demonstrate an understanding of the human relationships and attitudes that affect the quality of life and productivity in the workplace. To receive an Associate of Applied Science degree, students must go beyond competence in basic skills and knowledge. A.A.S.-level general education courses focus on critically selecting, applying, adapting, and/or synthesizing a range of skills and perspectives in response to the varied expectations and changing conditions of the modern workplace.

UM-Helena also offers a sizable component of general education coursework, which emphasizes critical and creative thinking and expression; scientific inquiry; mathematical analysis; historical, sociological, psychological, and artistic perspectives. Through studies in the major areas of knowledge, general education provides students with the broad educational background that is excellent preparation for careers, further education, citizenship, and lifelong learning in a rapidly changing world.

General education coursework is required for both the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees, but the College encourages all students to challenge their abilities and broaden their perspectives by taking general education courses to meet the related instruction and elective requirements of their technical programs.

Grades and Grade Point Averages (GPA)

Student evaluation is reported at the end of each semester. Students may access their final grades online through “My UMH.” A student’s level of academic performance is determined through the calculation of a grade point average (GPA). The grade-point average is determined by dividing total grade points earned by the number of credits carried. Students may access their grades and GPA through “My UMH” on the UM-Helena website. The meaning of each grade and its value in grade points is as follows

Grade	Quality of Work	Grade Points
A	Excellent	4.00
A-		3.67
B+		3.33
B	Above Average	3.00
B-		2.67
C+		2.33
C	Average	2.00*
C-		1.67*
D+		1.33
D	Passing	1.00
D-		0.67
F	Failing	0
FX	Failing (Academic Dishonesty)	0
AUD	Audit	N/A
EC	Credit by Exam (AP/CLEP)	N/A
I	Incomplete	N/A
MG	Missing Grade	N/A
NP	No Pass	N/A
CH	Challenge/Pass	N/A
P	Pass	N/A
TP	Tech Prep	N/A
TR	Transfer Course	N/A
R	Retake	N/A
SL	Service Learning	N/A
W	Withdraw	N/A

The use of the + and - grading system is up to the discretion of the individual instructor. *Students must:

1. earn a minimum grade of “C-” in each class used to meet the prerequisites or requirements for a major, minor, option or certificate and
2. maintain either:
   1. a minimum 2.00 cumulativ e GPA (for students seeking Associate of Applied Science Degrees) or
   2. a minimum 2.25 GPA (for students seeking Associates of Arts or Associate of Science Degrees) or
   3. a minimum 2.5 GPA (for students seeking an Associate of Applied Science or an Associate of Science in Nursing)

Graduation

In accordance with Montana Board of Regents Policy 301.5.3 § 1A ¶ 3, students must earn a “C-” or higher in all classes that are used to satisfy the prerequisites or requirements for a major, minor, option, or certificate. Although credit is earned for a “D” grade, that course will not count towards graduation.

In the semester before a student plans to graduate, a student must meet with his or her advisor and submit an Application for Certificate or Degree to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar has final authority on the approval of graduation applications.

Students neglecting to submit an Application for Certificate or Degree will not be awarded a certificate or degree. Any student applying for a certificate or degree must pay a $25 fee. If applying for more than one certificate or degree, a fee is required for each application. Certificates and diplomas will be withheld if a student owes a debt to the College.

Students will be awarded a certificate or degree upon satisfactory completion of the program requirements. Half of the coursework required for the degree must be completed at UM-Helena College of Technology.

A graduation ceremony is held every May. Fall and spring graduates of the corresponding year are invited to attend the ceremony. Summer graduates, with no more than six credits to complete, may attend the corresponding spring graduation. Caps, gowns, and announcements are available through the Bookstore.

Catalog Governing Graduation

A student’s governing catalog is the UM-Helena College of Technology catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment as a degree seeking student as long as the student has been continually enrolled. A student may also elect to graduate from any subsequent catalog. If a student is absent for one or more semesters, the catalog in effect at the time of readmission governs the student’s graduation requirements. Students must complete all program requirements within six years of enrolling. Students who have not completed requirements in six years will be advised into the catalog in use at the time of graduation.

In case of changes in the program UM-Helena reserves the right to determine appropriate substitutions. If a program is eliminated, UM-Helena will determine an appropriate phase out process for current students.

Graduation Honors

Academic honors awards are acknowledged for A.A., A.S., and A.A.S. degrees at spring graduation. Calculation for these honors is the cumulative GPA at the end of the semester prior to graduation. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 - 3.99 at the end of the semester prior to graduation receive the Honors Academic Award. Students with a cumulative GPA of 4.0 at the end of the semester prior to graduation receive the Highest Honors Academic Award.

Incomplete

An incomplete (“I”) grade may be given with the approval of the Registrar’s Office when, in the opinion of the instructor, there is a reasonable probability that students can complete the course without retaking it and without instructor participation. The incomplete grade is not an option to be exercised at the discretion of the student and is given only in cases of extreme personal hardship or unusual academic situations. Eligibility for an incomplete is determined within the following guidelines:

1. An incomplete may be assigned to a student when he or she has been in attendance and doing passing work up to three weeks before the end of the course, and for reasons beyond his or her control, he or she has been unable to complete the requirements on time. Negligence, indifference, or excessive absences are not acceptable reasons.
2. The instructor will set the conditions for completion of the coursework. When these conditions have been met, the instructor will assign a grade based upon an evaluation of the total work done by the student in the course.
3. An incomplete (“I”) which is not made up during the next regularly scheduled semester will automatically convert to a grade of “F.”

Outdated Coursework

In accordance with Board of Regents policy 301.5.2, UM-Helena College of Technology uses the following guidelines for evaluating previous coursework taken at UM-Helena College of Technology:

• Courses specific to a program of study are guaranteed for evaluation within five years.
• Courses used for general education requirements are guaranteed for evaluation within 15 years.
• Courses used for elective credits are guaranteed for evaluation within 15 years.

Coursework that falls outside of the stated periods is not guaranteed for evaluation/graduation. It is the discretion of the individual program to review coursework older than the above guidelines. Students who have outdated coursework are encouraged to speak with their faculty advisor.

Pass/No Pass

Student Option: Students who might venture into courses where they may otherwise hesitate because of uncertainty regarding their aptitude or preparation may enroll in certain courses on a pass/no pass basis. An instructor may indicate that a particular course is not available under the pass/no pass option.

No more than six pass/no pass credits may be counted toward program completion. The pass/no pass option does not extend to courses required by the student’s program or program option, except at the discretion of the departments concerned. Courses numbered below 100 are not calculated in the pass/no pass limit or toward program completion.

The grades of pass/no pass are not formally defined in terms of their relationship to the traditional grades of A, B, C, D, F; a “P” is given for work considered to be passing and therefore deserving credit, and an “NP” for work not passed. “P” and “NP” grades do not affect grade point average.

Election of the pass/no pass option must be indicated at registration time on the registration form. After registration, but prior to the end of the 15th day of instruction, a student may change the grading option from pass/no pass to traditional (A - F) grading, or vice versa, by submitting a drop/add form.

The College cautions students that many schools and some employers do not recognize non-traditional grades (i.e., those other than A, B, C, D, F) or may discriminate against students who use the pass/no pass option.

Faculty Option: A department may elect to offer an entire class on a pass/no pass basis. This method of grading is used in courses where more precise grading is inappropriate.

Repeating a Course

Students may retake a course to improve their grade by registering and paying tuition and fees for the course. They must submit a Request to Change Grade for Repeated Courses to the Registrar’s Office upon completion of the course. The letter grade for the repeated course will be posted to the student’s transcript and the previous grade will be replaced with an “R” to indicate that the course was retaken. A grade of “R” is not calculated into GPA.

A student’s academic standing (Dean’s list, probation, suspension, etc.) cannot be retroactively changed by retaking classes.

Scholastic Requirements

Academic Probation: Students will be placed on academic probation, or continued probation, at the end of any term (including Summer Session) if their cumulative GPA drops below or remains below 2.00.

Students on academic/continued probation should contact their advisor, ACCESS Center personnel and/or any other Student Services official or faculty member who might provide guidance, advice, or academic assistance. The Student Handbook contains a list of services available to enrolled students at UM-Helena.

An “Academic Probation” notation will be posted to a student’s permanent UM-Helena academic record.

Students placed on academic probation must show satisfactory academic progress - i.e. earn a 2.00 term GPA - during their next term of enrollment (including Summer) or face academic suspension. Students who raise their cumulative GPA to the minimum 2.00 will be removed from “probationary status” and in most cases enrollment restrictions will be lifted.

Students placed on academic probation will be notified of their status in writing within a reasonable time following the end of the term. Notification will explain enrollment limitations and conditions and warn students of consequences if they fail to improve their scholastic performance during future terms of enrollment.

Academic Suspension: Students will be academically suspended at the end of any semester if they were placed on academic probation in their last semester of attendance and they failed to earn a term GPA of 2.00.

Students placed on academic suspension status may not enroll at UM-Helena during the next semester (fall or spring, whichever applies) nor Summer Session if a student is suspended at the end of Spring Semester. That is, a student who has been academically suspended from UM-Helena for the first time must “sit out” one regular semester, plus Summer Session if a student is suspended at the end of Spring Semester.

An “Academic Suspension” notation is posted to a student’s permanent UM-Helena academic record.

Students who are suspended for academic reasons will be informed of their status in writing as soon as possible following the end of the term. Any/all future enrollments (future class schedules that exist in UM-Helena’s computer system through pre-registration prior to the end of the term in question) of academically suspended students will be canceled. Written notification of academic suspension will explain options available to the suspended student.

Readmission Following Suspension: Students who are suspended for academic reasons must apply for readmission to UM-Helena.

Students who seek readmission after “Sitting Out” the required suspension period must submit:

1. a properly completed Application for Readmission form;
2. a carefully prepared plan that indicates how the suspended student will improve his or her academic performance if re-admitted, and will include a statement of the student’s education and career goals; and
3. any other documents that might be required by other UM-Helena offices.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal from the College is the student’s responsibility. In order to withdraw from all classes, a student must meet with a representative of the ACCESS Center and complete the withdrawal form. The form must be completed, signed by the student, and collected by the ACCESS Center. If a student withdraws from the College after the first 15 instructional days and prior to three weeks before the end of the course, a “W” (withdrawn) will be assigned. During the last three weeks of the semester, a student may not officially withdraw and will receive a letter grade from the instructor based on an evaluation of the total work done by the student in the course. Withdrawal from a course in which the student has received an “FX” for academic dishonesty is not permitted.

It is important to note that a complete withdrawal cannot be done online.