Catalog Requirements
Graduation requirements correspond to the catalog in effect at the first time of matriculation as a degree-seeking student. Students matriculating for the first time in the summer semester are subject to the catalog of the previous term.

The catalog will govern a student’s academic program for a maximum of 14 semesters. Students taking longer than 14 semesters to complete an academic program in any combination of enrolled or un-enrolled terms must adhere to requirements in place at the beginning of semester 15.

Students finding it necessary to break matriculation for any reason, including student and academic discipline, must adhere to the academic requirements in place upon their re-enrollment. However, students who apply for a Leave of Absence will maintain their catalog year for up to two lapsed semesters; an un-enrolled third semester will cause the student to fulfill the graduation requirements in place at the time of re-enrollment.

At any time, students may petition to update their catalog year and meet the requirements of a more recent catalog than the one in place at the time of their first matriculation. Students may only move forward in catalog years. This can be requested by submitting the Academic Declaration & Update form to the Office of the Registrar. This change must be approved by the Registrar. Students declaring majors in newly offered academic programs may be automatically updated to the relevant catalog.

While Patrick Henry College will seek to maintain continuity of degree program and academic requirements, amendments may be necessary from time to time due to changes in finances, personnel, accreditation, or governing bodies. Students will be notified of these changes. In all cases, College administrators will attempt to mitigate any harmful effects upon student progress toward graduation to the maximum extent possible.

Course Load
The average course load for a full time on-campus student is 15 semester credits. The College charges full time tuition for students enrolled in 12 to 18 credit hours; additional costs are incurred for credits over 18 hours.

A student is considered part time when enrolled in 11 or fewer credits; tuition for part-time students is calculated on a per-credit basis.

Course Overload
Students must petition to enroll in 19 or more credit hours in a given term by submitting a letter to the Office of the Registrar that includes the number of credits desired and the rationale for the request. Overload, which is considered appropriate only in exceptional cases, must be approved by the Registrar, who may request a personal interview with the student. Factors that may influence whether permission is granted include the advisor’s recommendation, student’s grade point average, type of credit, and employment requirements. Permission must be granted prior to registration.

Class Standing
Academic classification is established for all Patrick Henry College degree-seeking students according to the following credit standards:

Credits Earned	Class Standing
0-29	Freshman
30-62	Sophomore
63-94	Junior
95+	Senior

Academic Advisors
As students matriculate into the college for the first time, they are assigned an academic advisor based upon anticipated academic program listed upon their admission materials. Students whose intended majors are unknown are assigned an advisor whose teaching responsibilities are within the core curriculum. As students declare their majors with the Office of the Registrar, their advisor may be changed to a content expert within their chosen field.

Advisors assist students with major declarations, course planning, and academic concerns in a manner that meets their career and educational goals. It is important that students maintain regular contact with their faculty advisor to assist them as they matriculate towards graduation.

Students may request to change their academic advisor by submitting an Academic Declaration & Update form to the Office of the Registrar. This change must be approved by the Registrar.

Students are the sole individuals responsible for fulfilling all graduation requirements according to the requirements listed in the catalog. In no case are college employees responsible for failure to meet degree requirements.

Faculty Accessibility
Patrick Henry College is a teaching college; the full-time faculty are participating members of the campus community. As such, students shoule find it easy to connect with their professors and advisors outside of class.

Each semester, full-time faculty prominently post near their office dorr a weekly schedule of at least ten office hours held sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, during which time the faculty member is accessible to students. Adjunct faculty make themselves available for student contact to the maximum extent possible.