Registration

Registration for new students is conducted during the week prior to the beginning of instruction. Priority registration is open to continuing students in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 and higher and is held before the end of each semester.

Students registering after the regularly scheduled registration period are required to pay the late registration fee. The registration fee is paid at the Business and Finance Office. Further instructions are available from the Records Office. For information on fees, see the Tuition and Fees section.

If a student registers and pays only the required registration fees, the student is still responsible for the remaining balance of any tuition and fees. This includes balances incurred during priority registration. If the student is unable to attend classes, the appropriate add/drop policy in the Changes in Registration section or Withdrawals procedures must be followed. Failure to attend classes does not exempt the student from paying any remaining tuition and fees.

Changes in Registration

On all changes of registration forms, the appropriate signatures are required. Approval from the Dean of Academic Affairs is required as a substitute for an advisor's or an instructor's signature. Invalid signatures will be reported to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action and a grade of "F" will be recorded.

Add and Drop

Adding or dropping a course is official only after the student has completed and submitted an Add/Drop Form to the Records Office and has paid the required fee(s) to the Finance Office.

In order to add/drop a course, a student must pick up the form from the Records Office. See Tuition and Fees section on charges. Classes dropped during the Add/Drop Period are not reflected in the student's transcript or permanent record.

Following the Add/Drop Period is the Drop Only Period. Students may only drop classes at this time. The same $5.00-per class fee applies.

At the end of the priority registration period for continuing students there is a scheduled early add and drop period. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the add/drop, drop only and early add/drop deadlines for each semester or term. Refer to the ASCC Refund Policy on the Tuition and Fees page for the percentage of refundable tuition.

Administrative Drop

An administrative drop is a drop from a class that is not initiated by the student and is not reflected in the student's tran script or permanent record. An administrative drop is initiated for one of the following conditions:

  • Students with excessive absences during the one to two weeks of instruction.
  • Initiated by the Records Office in consultation with and approval of the instructor.

Registration Policies
Student Academic Entry Policy

Students placed in preparatory courses must complete all of the following preparatory English and Math courses as Prerequisites prior to enrolling in college level Math and English courses:
Courses: ENG 70, ENG 71, ENG 80, ENG 81, ENG 90, ENG 91, MAT 80 and MAT 90.

Pre-requisite Courses

Prerequisites are required courses to be taken before entry into more advanced courses (see course descriptions). For example, most courses numbered 150 and above require the completion of ENG 90 as a Prerequisite. Course Prerequisites are specifically identified in the course description section of the catalog. For many classes, a grade of "C" or better is required. Students are encouraged to consult their academic advisors regarding course Prerequisites and proper course sequencing in the student's selected fields of study.

If a student enrolls in a class and does not meet the course Prerequisite, they will be administratively dropped from the class. Refer to the Administrative Drop policy for more information.

Student Credit Load

Semester Enrollment Status

  • A Full-Time Student is classified as enrolled in 12 or more credits.
  • A Three-Quarter Time Student is classified as enrolled in 9-11 credits.
  • A Half-Time Student is classified as enrolled in 6-8 credits.
  • A Less Than Half-Time Student is classified as enrolled in 0-5 credits.

A student who wishes to enroll in seventeen (17) and no more than twenty-one (21) credits must have a CGPA of 3.50 or higher, completed ENG 150, ENG 151, and MAT 151 and the approval of the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Summer Session Enrollment Status

  • A Full-Time Student is classified as enrolled in six (6) or more credits.

A student who wishes to enroll in eight (8) and no more than twelve (12) total credits in the summer term must have a CGPA of 3.50 or higher, completed ENG 150, ENG 151, and MAT 151 and the approval of the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Student Classification
  • Classified students follow a declared, organized program of study leading to a degree and are subject to regulations and requirements of the program of study.
  • Unclassified students are non-degree-seeking students and are not candidates for a degree, although registered for credit.
  • Auditors are qualified students who are permitted to attend classes with the written permission of the instructor.
  • Auditors receive no credit and may participate in class discussions only with prior permission of instructors.
  • Freshmen are those who have completed less than 30 semester credits.
  • Sophomores are those who have completed 30 or more semester credits.
  • Juniors are those who have completed 60 or more semester credits and pursuing a Bachelor's degree.
  • Seniors are those who have completed 90 or more semester credits and pursuing a Bachelor's degree.
Student Status
  • Continuing A student who is seeking a degree or certificate and has been enrolled in classes during the previous semester.
  • Inactive A former student that is not currently enrolled at ASCC.
  • New A new, degree-seeking student who has never been enrolled at ASCC and has completed the admissions process.
  • Returning A student defined as a former degree-seeking student who has not been enrolled for one or more semesters.
    Returning students are required to update their admissions file before registration. They must follow the same
    admissions and registration guidelines as new students.
  • New Transfer Student A degree-seeking student who has previously attended another institution and intends to
    complete his/her degree program at ASCC. A transfer student must complete the admission process and is considered
    a new student for registration purposes.
  • Unclassified A non-degree-seeking student who wishes to take undergraduate courses at ASCC.
Auditing Courses

Auditors must complete all admission and registration requirements and procedures, including payment of tuition and fees. Students are permitted to audit classes with the written approval of the instructor. Students who audit a course may attend classes, take part in class discussion and activities, and take quizzes/ or examinations on a voluntary basis. An "AU" grade will be entered on the transcript with no credit given. Audited courses cannot be changed to a credit course without the approval of the instructor. Schedule changes to audit a course or to receive credit for a course cannot be made after the first six weeks of instruction. (Refer to Academic Calendar)

Withdrawal

Class Withdrawal

In order to withdraw from class(es), a student must pick up the withdrawal form from the Records Office. The student must obtain the instructor(s) and academic advisor's signatures and submit the completed withdrawal form to the Records Office for posting. Class changes during the withdrawal period (Refer to the Academic Calendar for the approved withdrawal dates) are reflected in the student's transcript with a grade of "W", "W/NP", or "W/F".

Students may withdraw from a class without academic penalty during the first 60% of that course's term and receive a grade of "W" (refer to the Academic Calendar). After this date, the student who withdraws will receive a grade of "W/F", or "W/NP" for developmental course(s). See Tuition and Fees section for applied charges.

Complete Withdrawal

Students who wish to withdraw completely from ASCC should obtain the appropriate form from the Records Office and follow official procedures. The procedures for complete withdrawal are the same as a class withdrawal.

Students who completely withdraw before the ninth week of instruction will receive a "W" for each of the courses in progress at the time of withdrawal; After this date, the student who withdraws will receive a "W/F" or "W/NP" (for developmental courses(s). Students may completely withdraw from ASCC up to the last day of instruction. (Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the specific dates)

Unofficial Withdrawal

It is the responsibility of the student to complete the process of withdrawing from a class or to completely withdraw from ASCC. If a student fails to file the withdrawal form with the Records Office, a "UW" (Unofficial Withdrawal) will be recorded. The "UW" will be calculated in the GPA in the same way as an "F/NP".

Credit by Examination

All requests to challenge courses by examination must be approved by the academic department chairperson following the final approval of the Dean of Academic Affairs.

For preparatory courses numbered below 100, the student must register for the class prior to challenging the course. If the student succeeds in passing the examination, the student will be allowed to add the next level class and drop the challenged class. The challenged class will not appear on the student's transcript. An add/drop extension will be granted through the first week of classes

For courses numbered 100 or above, the student must register for the class prior to challenging the class. If the student succeeds in passing the examination with a "C" grade or better, the student will be awarded an "E" grade.

If the student fails the examination, no grade is entered, and the student may continue with the course. Examinations for course credit may be taken only once. "E" grades for Credit by Examination will not be counted toward overall GPA and CGPA. Additionally, credits earned by examination are not covered under federal financial aid. Please check with the Financial Aid Office for the information.

Credit for Work/Life Experience

Credit for experiential learning through work and life experiences may be granted toward meeting requirements for all undergraduate degrees. Such learning completed since high school must be validated by documentation or examinations. These experiences must be appropriate to the degree and the students' major. A student applying for work/life experience credit must file with appropriate instructional department chairperson a portfolio documenting experiential learning. Evidence of learning may include written or oral examinations, tapes, projects, demonstrations, and performances. Verification of employment and training must be for a minimum of two years.

In general, work/life experiences are equated with the learning expected from a formal course in the ASCC Catalog. Approval of credit begins with the appropriate Department Chairperson with final approval by the Dean of Academic Affairs. Credit for work/life experiences is limited to 15 semester credit hours.

Independent Study

Independent Study is an option for students who are unable to enroll in a course due to a schedule conflict, class cancellation, program requirement changes, graduation or a transfer requirement.

Initiating an independent study is based entirely on an instructor's willingness to do so. Independent study contracts must have attached course syllabus that is commensurate in content and coverage to the actual course, with modifications only to the meeting times, dates and topical outline.

Students are limited to no more than two (2) independent study contracts per semester. Independent study contracts can only be approved for courses in the current catalog. Independent contracts are not valid for courses offered during summer session, courses that require laboratory work that include clinical, studio, internship, practicum, fieldwork, and physical education.

Students will be charged $25.00 (non-refundable fee) in addition to the cost of the course. Please note that an independent study course is not covered by financial aid. An Independent Study request must be completed by the first week of instruction.

Transfer Credits to Colleges and Universities

Transfer Credits to Private and Public Off-Island Colleges and Universities

Admissions requirements and general education requirements vary from college to college. To make transferring to an offisland college or university as smooth as possible, students must work closely with their academic advisor and counselor on developing a transfer plan.

The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) has entered into memorandums of agreement with private and public offisland colleges and universities. Therefore, general education credits earned in completion of an Associate of Arts degree may be accepted by these participating colleges and universities.

It should be noted that the ASCC Associate of Science degree general education requirements may not meet all the general education requirements of the colleges and universities to which the student is transferring. The following colleges and universities websites can provide catalog information on transfer courses from ASCC to:


Contact the Academic Affairs Office for more information;
Phone: (684)699-9155
Email: academicaffairs@amsamoa.edu

Back to Academic Departments