Mar 19, 2024  
2014-2015 VSCC Catalog 
    
2014-2015 VSCC Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Programs & Support


College Programs

The programs, curricula, and fees as set forth in this catalog are subject to change at any time at the discretion of Volunteer State Community College or the Tennessee Board of Regents. Because of the possibility of change or undetected error, important points of fact and interpretation should be confirmed by the appropriate college official.

General Areas of Study
Of a necessity, the nature of the programs of study offered in a community college must be diverse. In order to meet that diversity of needs, community college curricula and organizational structures are also varied and flexible. Volunteer State Community College offers a number of general areas of study to meet the different needs of its students and a flexible organizational framework to provide specific opportunities for all students and adults who deserve to benefit from the educational programs offered by the College. 

The educational programs in the transfer education curricula are designed to meet the needs of students who plan to transfer their work and continue toward a baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university. The programs include basic curricula in the areas of business, humanities, mathematics and science, social science, and education. Students who desire these curricula are, in general, those who desire to transfer to a senior institution to complete their major or who simply want an associate degree in a liberal arts area.

Volunteer State places emphasis on its career education programs which prepare students who graduate or receive certificates to enter directly into their chosen field of work. The occupational or technical programs in the career education curricula may transfer to a senior institution but are primarily designed to prepare students for employment.

A variety of educational programs are designed for those residents near the campus, mainly adults, who desire to take courses for credit toward the completion of a degree, or who desire to take non-credit courses for personal improvement, for vocational advancement, or for cultural enhancement. Continuing education curricula (including evening programs and community service programs) supply an answer to this need, exemplifying one of the more recent manifestations of the changing patterns of American education. Provision is made in the evening for adults who need additional formal education, for community service programs, and for day students who, for one reason or another, cannot take necessary courses during the day. The evening instruction is an integral part of the institution’s educational program and constitutes an inducement for the entire community to profit from its offerings.

Volunteer State also offers a variety of certificate programs. These programs, many designed for adults working in the field of study, vary in length (but normally run nine months) and in the number of hours required. These programs, which are designed to give the student minimum essential core subjects necessary to enter a business or industrial career, offer college credit. Courses may be applied later toward a two-year career education program.

Divisions of Instruction
For administrative purposes, the credit instructional program at Volunteer State is organized into six divisions. The courses and programs of each of the divisions follow:

Division of Business and Technology
Accounting, Business, General Technology,  Industrial Technology, Computer Information Systems, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Management, Marketing, Medical Practice Management, Office Management Technology, Paralegal, and Real Estate. 

Learning Commons
College Success, Supplemental Instruction, Smarthinking, Basic and Learning Support Mathematics, Basic and Learning Support Reading and Writing.

Division of Health Sciences
Dental Assistant, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, EMT Technician Technical Certificate, Advanced EMT Technician Technical Certificate, Fire Science Technology, Health Information Technology, Medical Informatics, Medical Laboratory Technology, Ophthalmic Technician, Paramedic Technical Certificate, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, and Sleep Diagnostics Technology.

Division of Humanities
Art, Bluegrass, Chinese, English, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Entertainment Media Production, French, Journalism, Liberal Arts,  Mass Communication, Music, Philosophy, Radio/TV, Recording Industry Management, Songwriting, Spanish, Speech Communication, Theater Arts, University Studies, and Learning Support Writing and Reading.

Division of Mathematics and Science
Agri-Communications (2+2 with APSU), Agri-Science (2+2 with APSU), Agri-Business (2+2 with APSU), Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering Technology (1+1 with APSU), Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Mathematics, Mathematics and Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Pre-Dental Hygiene, Pre-Health Professions (Dentistry, Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine), Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Nursing (Belmont Partnership), Pre-Nursing (Cumberland Partnership), Pre-Nursing (Union University Partnership), TSU Nursing, Veterinary Assistant Technical Certificate, and Veterinary Technology

Division of Social Science and Education
Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics; Education, Exercise Science,  Health, History, Human Services, Physical Education, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science, and Sociology.

Learning Support
At Volunteer State Community College, Learning Support is designed to serve students who need to improve their reading, writing, and mathematics skills before entering college-level curriculum. Students come to Volunteer State from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances: some students come directly from high school; some transfer from other colleges; others have not been in school for many years. The purpose of Learning Support is to assist students with needs in reading, writing, and math to achieve a level of academic competence that will enable them to work successfully in college-level courses. Learning Support classes are individualized, so that there is more contact between student and instructor. In addition, tutoring and counseling are provided. The Learning Commons offers flexible delivery of Learning Support courses which allow students to “work-at-their-own-pace.”  Some students move more quickly through them than others. The focus of Learning Commons is on student success.

Students are placed in the various Learning Support courses using the available assessment information: ACT sub-scores for students under age 21, placement test results for students over age 21, challenge test results, academic transcripts, and classroom testing. Placement is highly individualized and the formula for placing students, since it uses many measures, is sometimes complex. The student’s advisor will assist the student in understanding the course of study required. Once placed, enrollment in Learning Support courses is mandatory. Questions regarding placement can be addressed in the Learning Commons.

The Language Center
The Language Center provides one-to-one writing assistance for all VSCC students for composition classes, writing across the curriculum and ESOL studies. The Language Center also provides computer-based instruction for foreign language studies (French and Spanish) and ESOL studies. The Center is staffed by instructors and qualified tutors who are ready to answer students’ questions about writing assignments. The Language Center offers its services for free to all currently enrolled students of VSCC on a walk-in basis only. The Center does not offer testing or accept appointments for tutoring. The Center is an additional classroom resource that helps the students to identify and correct problems in writing. Writing assistants provide current information and guidance relating to all parts of the writing process, ranging from organization and focus to grammar and revisions.

The Honors Program
The Honors Program offers high academic achievers opportunities to interact with other students with similar academic standards, small classes to ensure individualized attention, a strong academic program, priority registration, and an enhanced academic record.

Students new to Volunteer State need an ACT composite score of 24 or higher, a high school GPA of 3.5 or a place in the top ten percent of the graduating class, and two letters of recommendation from high school teachers. Students already enrolled in the College need a GPA of 3.5 or above and recommendations from two faculty members.

Scholarships are available for new and currently enrolled students. The recipient must commit to 15 hours of Honors courses earned over a four semester period, maintain a 3.5 semester GPA, complete the honors leadership course, and attend Honors Program meetings.

Honors courses are listed in the schedule and are designated by a 029 section number. Honor students may receive Honors credit in some non-Honors courses by contract with instructors. In addition, superior students not officially admitted to the Honors Program may enroll in Honors courses with instructor recommendation.

To receive recognition at graduation students must have completed 15 hours of Honors courses, including the leadership course. Those students are presented with a certificate of program completion and an Honors medallion. Interested students should contact the Program Coordinator.

Transfer Education Programs
The transfer education curricula are designed to meet the minimum requirements for transfer to most senior institutions. Most college programs are structured so that students will secure a broad education during their first two years of study and will later specialize in their particular field of interest. Required courses of study have been developed at Volunteer State which seek to provide this base in the areas of communications, engineering, humanities, social sciences, biological and physical science, mathematics, and physical education. Electives within these areas are also provided to meet the individual student’s needs and interests.

A student registered for 12 or more semester hours must follow a specific two year program in order to graduate with an associate degree. In general, a minimum of 41 semester hours is required in liberal art areas; however, the students should note individual variations in the respective courses. Students who have a specific Associate of Arts or Associate of Science program in mind will note that major area subjects are included so that transfer to a senior institution involves that continuation of an existing program rather than the introduction of completely new subjects. Students who do not have a major curriculum objective should take one of the general programs. These programs permit students to explore various fields of interest without being committed to a definite major. At the same time the broad base of studies permits transfer with junior status to most institutions.

These transfer education programs may require alteration to meet specific needs of students and for transfer to specific schools. It is the obligation of the student to check the requirements of the school he/she is planning to attend in order to ascertain transferability of courses and special requirements. The student’s program should vary from the suggested programs only with the consent of their adviser.

Students who seek to transfer to a senior institution should familiarize themselves with the requirements of that institution and should plan their program accordingly. Under normal circumstances, the student should be able to transfer to the senior institution with junior status after completing two years of credit work at Volunteer State.

Evening Instructional Programs
Evening instruction at Volunteer State is designed primarily to meet the needs and interests of the working adult. Traditional day students may choose to enroll in an evening course to resolve a day schedule conflict or to satisfy a personal need or interest.

Off Campus

Degree-Granting Off-Campus Centers, McGavock and Livingston
The college offers the opportunity to complete degree programs at its two degree-granting Centers, McGavock and Livingston. A full range of support services is provided at the Centers. Students interested in pursuing degrees other than those offered at the two centers may be required to complete some coursework on the main campus.

The McGavock Center, located at McGavock High School in Nashville, provides the opportunity for students to complete the Associate of Science (University Studies Curriculum Guide and the Business and Commerce Curriculum Guide) and the Associate of Applied Science (General Business Administration, Management Concentration). In addition to the courses required for these degrees, the College offers college preparatory courses for students who may need to enhance basic skills in reading, writing, or mathematics. Classes are offered during the late afternoon and evening hours.

Volunteer State Community College at Livingston, located in Overton County, provides all of the coursework for completion of the Associate of Science (University Studies Curriculum Guide) and the Associate of Applied Science (General Technology, General Concentration). College preparatory courses are also available to assist students in need of basic skills enhancement. Classes are offered during the day and evening hours.

Off-Campus Teaching Sites
The goal of the extended services or outreach program is to provide credit courses at multiple sites, on multiple schedules, and through various delivery systems to enhance access to higher education opportunities throughout the service region.

Volunteer State seeks to provide quality educational experiences to its students at approximately thirty off-campus teaching sites, affording them the opportunity to continue their education during the day and/or evening hours at locations convenient to their home or workplace. The College appreciates the cooperative working arrangements with various local school and civic officials in providing the facilities, assistance, and input into the offerings each term. Courses at off-campus teaching sites are staffed by qualified instructors from the academic divisions of the College and are of equal quality to those taught on the main campus. Students may enroll in one or more courses to earn credit toward a college degree and/or to pursue personal and professional goals.

Off-Campus teaching sites include: 

  • Highland Crest, Springfield
  • Macon County High School, Lafayette
  • Wilson Central High School, Lebanon

Special career classes are offered at other higher education institutions and public facilities through cooperative agreements.

Courses and locations are listed in the Schedule of classes each semester.

Division of Continuing Education & Economic Development
In addition to the academic divisions offering college credit instruction, the Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development facilitates lifelong learning by providing relevant, quality non-credit learning opportunities for a diverse and evolving population. Programs and services are designed to foster community and economic development, to strengthen partnerships, and to satisfy a broad range of personal, professional, and workforce development needs of the local community and area business and industry. The division is organized into four departments: personal enrichment, workforce development, small business development, and healthcare training. Each department regularly offers a wide range of noncredit general interest courses (on ground and online) as well as business and industry-specific workforce development courses.  This Division serves as a designated OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center serving Region Four. 

Non-Credit Programs
Non-credit continuing education programs draw upon expertise from College resources, corporate resources, community resources, and technological resources to provide quality adult learning opportunities to meet the needs and interests of a diverse population. Classes are selected for personal or professional enrichment rather than for college credit and are offered in a variety of modes (on campus, off-campus, and online) for the convenience and flexibility of the adult learner.

Special short courses, workshops or seminars may be developed and offered upon the request of a group of individuals or organization. All instruction, designed for the general public or customized for the specific needs of a particular group, is geared toward assisting adults in achieving their educational goals.

Upon successful completion of a non-credit course or workshop, the College awards the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and maintains a record (transcript) of each student’s accomplishments. The CEU is a nationally recognized, uniform unit of measurement awarded at the rate of one CEU for each ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.

Business and Industry Training Institute
The Business and Industry Institute provides workforce training opportunities in support of the economic development of the College’s service region. Short courses and workshops are designed to improve workplace knowledge and skills for the enhancement of careers and lifelong learning. Whether your business is manufacturing, logistics and distribution, health care, or retail services, these workshops can help you attain your organizational goals. The Institute offers regularly scheduled relevant general classes for individuals as well as customized training for area businesses and industries. Workforce development categories include: APICS, ASQ review, automotive management systems, business development, computer training, customer service, effective supervision, environmental management, food safety management, health & safety management, home inspection, human resource skills, languages, leadership skills, lean manufacturing, management development, persuasive speaking & presentation skills, quality management, quality workforce skills, and six sigma training programs are available on campus, on-site, and online and may carry CEU credit or college credit.

Contract Training: The Business and Industry Training Institute provides the option of contract training tailored to meet the specific organizational needs of area business and industry. The Institute’s comprehensive services include customized curriculum design, assessment, course delivery and evaluation, and record keeping. In addition to offering basic, open enrollment training programs on campus each semester, we offer customized programs at your site or ours to meet the specific needs of your business culture, number of employees, schedule, learning styles, and priorities.

American Management Association Certificates
The Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development offers the following online AMA Certificate Programs:

Certificate in General Management
Certificate in Human Resource Management
Certificate for The Administrative Assistant’s Certificate
Certificate in Strategic Leadership
Certificate in Business Communications Management
Certificate in Customer Satisfaction Management
Certificate in Finance and Accounting Management
Certificate in Manufacturing Management
Certificate in Quality Improvement Management
Certificate in Sales and Marketing Management
Certificate in Success Skills in the Workplace
Certificate in Supervision

These nationally recognized programs provide participants with the opportunity to select areas in which they wish to develop skills, receive recognition for their accomplishments, and provide evidence of professional development to advance in their career. Curriculum guides and requirements are available on the Continuing Education website. Certificate programs are available online.

Students who have earned the American Management Association Certificate in Management or in General Management may apply that certification toward six hours of elective credit to earn the Associate of Applied Science, General Business Administration Option, Management Concentration. A copy of the American Management Association Certificate must be submitted as documentation. Prior to receiving these six hours of elective credit, students must successfully complete fifteen hours of credit coursework at Volunteer State.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC)
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is a FREE and confidential one-on-one counseling service for existing and start-up small businesses. Whether the counseling is in the area of marketing, operations, management, or any other business service, the TSBDC provides guidance every step of the way – by appointment please. In addition to the counseling services, the TSBDC offers training seminars on a wide variety of topics for small business owners, assistance with various funding proposals (including SBA loans), and referral to professional services and agencies.

Health Sciences Center of Emphasis
The Health Sciences Center of Emphasis (COE) provides educational and skills training opportunities to healthcare providers to support the economic development of the College’s service area. Courses are designed to meet requirements for certification and licensure or to enhance one’s knowledge base and critical thinking. The COE offers regularly scheduled general core courses (BLS, PALS, ACLS) as well as specifically designed courses for an individual’s area of expertise. Training programs are available on campus, on-site, and online. Most courses carry CEU credit.

Contract Training: The Health Sciences Center of Emphasis provides the option of contract training tailored to meet specific organizational needs. The COE’s services include customized curriculum design, assessment, course instruction, evaluation, and record keeping.

Regents Online Continuing Education Program (ROCE)
Volunteer State offers the Tennessee Board of Regents Online Continuing Education Program (ROCE), a non-credit program designed to upgrade skills, improve organizations in industries economic performance, and provide enrichment courses for persons who wish to acquire new skills or improve upon existing skills, available fully online. ROCE offers an extensive Continuing Education program in a non-traditional method for adults 18 years of age or older regardless of their educational background. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded for certification and/or re-certification to maintain credentials in a specified field of study/work. These online courses are designed to increase access to workforce training and to accommodate the demanding schedule of the workforce.

Distributed Education

Volunteer State’s Distributed Education program offers non-traditional instruction delivery to assist students who are prevented from attending traditional classes by work, family or other commitments and responsibilities or who prefer learning via technology.

Most of the general education core and selected major courses may be completed as Online courses using our course management system or Hybrid (blended) courses which require a combination of online and on-ground participation. 

Additionally, several degrees may be completed via distance courses. 

Distributive Education Activities:

Online Courses
Hybrid (approximately 25% in class + 75% online)
Regents Online Degree Courses (RODP)
Interactive Television Courses (ITV between the main campus and other sites)

 The Volunteer State Community College Web site (www.volstate.edu) has detailed listings on each semester’s Distributive Education offerings with information on college admission and enrollment.

Online Courses
A large selection of Volunteer State courses are also offered online. Students with computers, or select mobile devices, internet access and a current browser can take classes online. Students who do not have Internet access may use the facilities on campus. Consult the Vol State web site (www.volstate.edu) for a current listing of online/hybrid classes available each semester.

Hybrid (Blended) Courses
Hybrid courses allow students to experience rich face to face and online educational experiences. Hybrid classes meet with the instructor at a designated date and time and also include a significant portion of online work.  Hybrid meetings are required for successful completion of the course.  

Regents Online Degree Program

Volunteer State offers the TBR Regents Online Degree Program (RODP), a program to increase higher education access for adult Tennesseans, especially those with some college experience. It maximizes effective use of technology to deliver college level instruction and provide student access to web-based courses and degree programs.

Volunteer State offers the following RODP degrees:

  • Associate of Applied Science in Professional Studies Concentration: Information Technology
  • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
  • Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
  • Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology
  • Associate of Applied Science in Web Technology
  • Web Page Authoring Technical Certificate
  • Associate of Arts in General Studies (*University Parallel)
  • Associate of Science in General Studies (*University Parallel)
  • Updated: Associate of Science in General Studies: Elective Concentration for: Teacher Aides/Paraprofessionals Preparation. (Designed for teacher aides interested in completing their AS online. Elective courses customized to address the course credentialing of paraprofessionals for the “No Child Left Behind” requirements)

All courses are ‘fully’ online. Advising, student support and other forms of student assistance are available online. Through online delivery students may study and complete course work at any time, and from any place. Courses are delivered on the internet. Students apply to VSCC for the online degree exactly as they do for any other program. VSCC will evaluate any transfer course work. Courses are available in traditional and fast-track format.

Online Associate Degrees earned at VSCC will transfer to TBR universities and credit will be accepted for Regents Online Bachelors Degrees in General Studies and Professional studies. The Bachelor Degrees may be completed through the six TBR universities.

For additional information on the Regents Online Degree Program at Volunteer State Community College, call the Advising Center. You can also find out more about the Regents Online Degree Program at the following web site: http://rodp.org

Interactive Video Classes and Video Conferencing
The College operates two main campus and one Livingston Center video conference rooms. Classes are scheduled each semester which allow students in Livingston, Gallatin, Highland Crest, and other selected sites to meet together with a single instructor through connected video classrooms.

Interactive conferencing can also be accomplished from Livingston and/or the main campus to ten EXCEED Fiber Network sites in Overton, Pickett, Clay, Jackson, Fentress, and Putnam counties.

Video Conference meetings for education, business, and industry are also available virtually worldwide to any other site which is technically supported for connection.

Community Service Programs

The community service program of the College includes a wide range of activities involving cooperative efforts between College personnel and the community. Included among the activities are campus and cultural events, consulting and advisory services, campus participation in civic organizations and community-based efforts, conferences and institutes, facility utilization, and other specialized services available through individual units of the College. Community service is an integral component of the overall operation of the institution, with all administrative units sharing in the responsibility of service.

Certificate Programs
For the student who wants to specialize in a certain field of study without taking all of the courses required for the associate degree, the College offers technical certificate programs as part of the continuing education concept. These programs allow the student to benefit from the most important aspects of the degree program of their chosen area without meeting all general education degree requirements. Upon successful completion of a prescribed program in his/her area, the student is awarded a certificate. Certificates are offered by Volunteer State Community College to indicate a satisfactory level of achievement in selected programs that require less than two years of full-time study.

Vol State offers a variety of certificate programs. These programs vary in the number of hours required. For detailed information on specific programs, refer to the section on Programs by Degree Types (Technical Certificate Programs). The general requirements for awarding a certificate are:

  • A minimum quality point average of 2.0 in courses presented to meet the requirements for the certificate.
  • A total of six (6) semester hours of transfer work may be applied to a Certificate. All other course requirements must be completed in residence at Vol State.
  • Enrollment in courses required for the technical certificate at the time an application for the certificate is made or permission from the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Continuing Education Institutional Certificate Programs
The Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development offers a wide array of non-credit institutional certificate programs designed to meet the needs of the workforce. Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Certificate of Completion. Certificate categories include business, management, and professional development, healthcare and fitness, hospitality and gaming, IT and software development, media and design, and skilled trades and industrial training. Instruction is provided on ground and online. For a complete list of Certificate Programs, contact the Division of Continuing Education.

Traditional Classroom Certificate Programs
APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional
APICS Certified in Production in Production and Inventory Management
Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Six Sigma Green Belt
Six Sigma Transactional Black Belt
Six Sigma Black Belt
Design for Six Sigma (DFSS)
In-Plant Certificate Programs
Certificate in Effective Supervision
Certificate in Effective Management
Certificate in Effective Leadership
Certificate in Effective Human Resource Management
Online Certificate Programs
Administrative Dental Assistant
Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding
Administrative Professional with Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training
Administrative Professional with Microsoft Office Specialist
Advanced Coding for the Physician’s Office
Advanced Hospital Coding and CCS Prep
Advanced Personal Fitness Trainer
Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate
AutoCAD 2007
AutoCAD 2009
Bookkeeping with Quickbooks
Business Marketing Design
Certified Bookkeeper
Certified Global Business Professional
Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative
Chartered Tax Professional
Chemical Plant Operations
Cisco® CCENT™ Authorized Certification Training
Cisco® CCNA™ Certification Training
CompTIA™ A+ Certification Training
CompTIA™ Linux+/LPI Level One Certification Training
CompTIA™ Network+/Server+ Certification Training
CompTIA™ Security+ Certification Training
CORE Mediation Certificate
eBusiness Certificate
Emergency Management Training
Entrepreneurship: Start-Up and Business Owner Management
Fitness Business Management
Forensic Computer Examiner
Freight Broker/Agent Training
Help Desk Analysis: Tier 1 Support Specialist
HIPAA Compliance
HVAC Technician
ICD-10 Medical Coding: Preparation and Instruction for Implementation
Interior Design
Leadership and Legacy: Seven Steps to Leading High Achieving Teams
Lean Mastery
Management for IT Professionals
Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Terminology
Medical Transcription
Microsoft Access 2007
Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training (MCAS)
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
Microsoft Certified System Administrator 2003 (MCSA)
Microsoft Certified System Engineer 2003 (MCSE)
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005 (MCTS)
Microsoft Excel 2007
Microsoft Office Specialist 2003 (MOS)
Microsoft Outlook 2007
Microsoft PowerPoint 2007
Microsoft Vista Business
Microsoft Word 2007
Modern Automotive Service Technician
Multimedia Design Certificate
.NET Training
Non-Profit Management
Payroll Practice and Management
Personal Financial Planning
Personal Fitness Trainer
Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults
Pharmacy Technician
Project Management
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Records Management Certificate
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) on the Web™
Search Engine Marketing
Technical Writing
Travel Agent Training
Veterinary Assistant
Video Game Art
Video Game Design and Development
Web Database Developer
Webmaster
Website Design
Women’s Exercise Training and Wellness

Professional Advancement Opportunities
Courses are available in select professions for individuals to develop the skills required to attain entry-level positions. Education and training are also provided for career sustainment and skills upgrade. Specific lists of credit and non-credit offerings may be obtained through the appropriate academic division. Professional advancement opportunities include:

Health Sciences Division - College Credit Courses
Coding/Reimbursement

Business & Technology Division - College Credit Courses
Accounting
Rooms Division Management
Food and Beverage Management
Marketing and Sales Management
Accounting and Financial Management
Computer Specialist (leading to Microsoft Office User Specialist Certification and A+ Certification)

Business and Industry Institute - Non-Credit Courses
American Management Association
Automotive Management - ISO/TS 16949
Business Development
Computer Training
Continuous Improvement
Critical Incident Stress Management
Effective Supervision
Emergency Management Services
Environmental Management - ISO 14001
Food Safety Management - ISO 22000
Hazardous Materials - 40 FCR
Home Inspection
Human Resource Skills
Languages
Leadership Skills
Lean Manufacturing
Management Development
Marketing and Internet Advertising
Process Management
Project Management
Quality Management - ISO 9001
Quality Workforce Skills
Safety Management
Six Sigma
Entrepreneur/Small Business Workshops

Health Sciences Center of Emphasis - Non-Credit Courses
Dental Assisting
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Emergency Medical Services
Fire Science Technology
Health Information Technology
Medical Laboratory Technology
Nursing
Ophthalmic Medical Technology
Physical Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Respiratory Care Technology
Sleep Diagnostics Technology

Courses of Study

The section on Course Descriptions contains an alphabetical listing of all disciplines in the College and a description of all course offerings.  The figures in parentheses denote the number of semester hours of credit for that course.

Course offerings are listed under the division of instruction in which they are taught. The courses are identified by course number, course title, and credit hours. Course numbers have no reference to the semester in which the courses are taught. The College reserves the right to alter the course offering of any discipline, and the right to alter any specific course in the catalog without notice.

The Class Schedule can be seen on our website at www.volstate.edu a few months prior to the opening of each semester. It contains a listing of the specific courses to be offered, with the time, place, and instructor in charge of each section. It also contains special announcements concerning registration procedures. The College reserves the right to make changes in any schedule prior to or during registration.

Non-Credit Courses
In addition to the credit courses of study, the College offers a wide variety of non-credit courses through the Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development. These offerings are as diverse as the population they serve and are reviewed regularly to update content and topics to meet the ever changing needs, interests, and expectations of the community and workforce. As a result of the updates, a listing of courses and course descriptions are not included in this catalog. Course listings and descriptions are provided in a printed and/or online schedule of classes each term.

Non-credit subject matter ranges from  home improvement, computer training, workplace skills,  financial matters, dance and exercise, management, technical training, Six Sigma, lean manufacturing, OSHA training, etc. Successful completion of non-credit courses earns nationally recognized CEU credits.

Course Placement
The placement of a student in any given college-level course will depend upon his/her having met certain prerequisites for that particular course. Fulfillment of prerequisites for any given course will be established on the basis of achievement in the corresponding high school course, the achievement on the related section of the ACT, and/or the achievement on the other tests administered by the College during registration procedures for applicants. The placement procedures are designed to help guide the enrolling student into courses commensurate with his/her ability.

Course Descriptions
Descriptions of courses offered by the College are listed alphabetically according to subject area.  The descriptions include (1) a subject area abbreviation/three or four letters (e. g. MUS for MUSIC or ENGL for English), (2) a course identification number, (3) a short title, (4) semester hours of credit (in parentheses), (5) a brief content description, (6) whether or not a laboratory is included, (7) prerequisite or co-requisite courses (if any).

Courses numbered 001 to 0999 are developmental/Learning Support; courses numbered 100 to 1999 are freshman level; courses numbered 200 to 2999 are sophomore level. Some course numbers may be followed by a letter. This indicates some special aspect of the course. The current letter designations used and their meanings are:

D = Dual listed course (Identical course and course number are also listed in another discipline.) This designation takes precedence over other letters
T = Topical or Selected Topics course; content varies; course often has variable credit. See catalog description for specifics
C = Course is a Health Sciences Clinical Experience
L = Lab
P = Course is a Practicum course
S = Special Interest Courses
♦ = Course can be used to meet Minimum General Education Core requirements
* = Courses that are designated primarily for vocational/career programs have been designated by an asterisk (*) following the course number. A number of these courses are accepted as transfer credit by some colleges and universities, but that decision is made by the receiving institution. These courses are collegiate level work, but they have been developed with a purpose other than being university parallel courses