Student Classification

Student classification is based on the number of non-developmental education semester credit hours earned. A freshman is a student who has earned 0-29 semester credit hours (SCH). A sophomore is a student who has earned 30-72 semester credit hours (SCH). Students who have earned more than 72 hours are considered as "unclassified."

Full-Time Student

A full-time student is one who takes twelve (12) plus semester credit hours in a regular (16-week) semester or six (6) plus semester credit hours during a summer session. This excludes Wintermester and Maymester.

A students suggested maximum course load per regular (16-week) semester is eighteen (18) semester credit hours and eight (8) semester credit hours for a summer session. Students wishing to enroll for more than 18 SCHs for the full term or more than 8 SCHs for a summer term, must request permission from the students advisor and College Registrar.

Attendance Regulations

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of each student in every class. Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student. A student absent from class bears full responsibility for all material covered in class.

Attendance records will be kept until the official census date of the course. Attendance records for courses with different beginning and end dates may vary.  See 'Part of Term' calendars for specific dates.

Students who fail to attend class during the attendance record period will be administratively withdrawn from the course for non-attendance/no-show by the course instructor. No formal attendance record keeping is required after the official census date of the respective courses, except in cases where a program is required to keep attendance records by their respective accreditation agency.

Excused Absences: Laredo College recognizes that students may be absent from class or other required academic activities for reasons authorized by federal or state law or College procedures. Students are responsible for notifying their instructor of anticipated absences whenever possible and for completing missed coursework within the timeframes established by the instructor or applicable College procedures. Students seeking accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, related medical conditions, or other matters governed by Title IX should contact the Office of Student Discipline and Title IX. Information regarding these accommodations is available in the Title IX section of this catalog.

Religious Holy Days: A student shall be excused from attending classes or other required academic activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused for a religious holy day may not be penalized for the absence and shall be provided a reasonable opportunity to complete missed assignments and examinations. If a student and instructor disagree regarding whether an absence qualifies or whether a reasonable opportunity has been provided to complete missed work, either party may request a review by the College President or designee. The determination of the College President or designee is final. 

Required Military Service: A student called to required military service in the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard, or the Texas State Guard shall be excused from attending classes or participating in required academic activities, including examinations, during the period of required service and associated travel. Students whose absences are excused for required military service shall not be penalized for those absences and shall be provided a reasonable opportunity to complete missed assignments and examinations in accordance with College procedures. 

Absence from Final Examinations: A student who is absent from a final examination receives a grade of zero (0) for the examination and the zero (0) will be weighed according to the final exam percentage established by the course. Any students authorized to be absent from a final examination receive a grade of  incomplete (I) on their transcript until they take the final examination. Such students must take the final exam within four months. Final exams cannot be re-taken. The instructor will submit a Grade Change Form to change the previously submitted incomplete (I) grade to a failing (F) grade if the student does not meet the four month deadline.

Students have the right and the responsibility to withdraw from a course as needed. Requests to withdraw from a course need to be submitted to the Office of the Registrar via an Official Withdrawal form.

Semester Credit Hour (SCH)

Semester Credit Hours (SCHs) are used to determine the number of credits each course awards and used as the unit of measurement for the time of instruction per course, per term. 

One (1) Semester Credit Hour (SCH) is defined as the credit earned by passing a course which meets one 50-minute hour per day, one day per week of instruction over a 16-week period in a semester. The equivalent is observed for the different terms and courses offered.  

Repeated Courses

For repeated courses, only the highest grade is calculated in the computation of the institutional grade point average (GPA). Regardless of the number of times a course is repeated, the student will earn the semester credit hour only once. However, all grades from repeated courses will remain on the transcript. Semester grade point averages (GPA) and institutional grade point averages (GPA) from past semesters may change as a result of a repeated course.

Students who enroll for courses taken for the third time or more and students who enroll in developmental courses and have already taken 18 or more semester credit hours in developmental coursework will be charged a differential tuition fee per semester credit hour. See Tuition and Fees for additional information. 

Note: This does not apply to courses that were repeated prior to Fall of 1986. Exceptions may apply for Secondary Admissions Program GPA admissions calculation.