Problems may arise that may necessitate the deceleration of a student's academic course load. Accordingly, an individual's academic course load may be reduced so that the student enters what is termed an extended program or split academic course of study. Such a program rearranges the course schedule so that the normal time period for the program is extended, usually by one additional year. Only enrolled students may enter an extended program. To enter an extended program, either one or both of the following conditions must be met:
- Personal hardship. If a student is experiencing unusual stresses in life and an extended academic load could alleviate added stress, the student may petition the College for an extended program. This petition is to be submitted to the Dean or Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, in writing, and may not be automatically granted, but may be approved in exceptional circumstances. The Dean or Associate Dean is responsible for reviewing and assessing the petition and may forward it to the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee if appropriate. The student will be informed of the decision, in writing, by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
- Academic. As described above, a student ending an academic year with an annual GPA of less than 2.00 may be given the option to repeat courses from that year in which "F" grades were received. A student may be placed on an extended program for academic reasons at the discretion of the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee. A student placed on an extended program for academic reasons is automatically placed on academic probation and may not be returned to good academic standing until the extended program is successfully completed.
If a student is placed on an extended program, such action does not modify or limit the committee's actions for dismissal. Thus, the student may be dismissed for academic reasons while on an extended program.
A student placed on an extended program for academic reasons will be returned to good academic standing when the student reenters the prescribed academic program and completes all courses that were unsatisfactory and are required for graduation.
A reentering student (after an extended program) must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 at the end of each quarter to continue at the college. A student is allowed to go through an extended program only once.