Piedmont College dedicates itself to the transformative power of education through reciprocal learning, the development of compassionate leaders, and the stewardship of our local and global communities.
Piedmont College fosters an environment for learning by engaging in critical and creative dialogue. All members of the college community are challenged to immerse themselves in discovery, analysis, and communication.
Piedmont College cultivates a sense of gratitude and duty to humanity by offering opportunities for civic engagement, personal growth, and ethical reasoning in action.
Piedmont College upholds the intellectual, social, and theological heritage of Congregationalism through excellence in teaching and scholarship and by embracing our diverse society. We further these principles by encouraging empathy, innovative thought, and responsibility towards ourselves and others.
Accreditation
Piedmont College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Com- mission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 or at http://www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Piedmont College, to file third- party comments, or to file a complaint against the institution for alleged non-compliance. Normal inquiries about the institution, such as, admission requirements, financial aid, or educational programs should be addressed to the college and not to the Commission.
All teacher education programs offered by Piedmont College, as they appear in its published catalog, have the approval of the Professional Standards Commission of the State of Georgia. Authority to recommend for certification rests with the Dean of the School of Education.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta GA 30326, 1-800-669-1656. (www.acenursing.org).
The Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100 Austin, TX 78731-3184 ( 512-733-9700) (https://caate.net/).
The Cardiovascular Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and monitored by the Joint Review Commission on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT), 25400 US Hwy 19 N, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763 (727-210-2350) (www.caahep.org).
The Walker School of Business is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for undergraduate and graduate business programs.
For information regarding the procedure for obtaining or reviewing documents describing accreditation, approval, or licensing, please contact the following office: Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs – 706-778-3000.
An Equal Opportunity Institution
Piedmont College is an equal opportunity College open to any qualified individual without regard to race, religion, sex, age, color, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Pursuant to all applicable federal anti-discrimination laws and regulations, Piedmont College does not discriminate against any of the protected categories of individuals in the administration of its policies, programs, or activities. This non-discriminatory policy includes admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment practices, athletics, and other school- administered programs.
Academic Calendar
This catalog describes an academic calendar for Piedmont College that consists of two 16-week semesters and one 8-week summer semester. The requirements in this catalog apply to students entering Piedmont in the 2017-2018 academic year. An official copy of the academic calendar can be found on the Piedmont College website at www.piedmont.edu/registrar.
Student Responsibility
Information in this catalog is accurate as of the date of publication. Piedmont College reserves the right to make changes in policies, regulations, and charges giving due notice in accordance with sound academic and fiscal practice. It is the responsibility of students to be informed about regulations and procedures as stated in this catalog. While advisors, faculty members, and academic deans are available to assist students in meeting degree requirements, students have the primary responsibility of being familiar with and completing their chosen course of study.
Student Complaints
A. Student Complaints: Students who have a concern or complaint may pursue such grievance by submitting it in writing according to the procedure listed below.
Academic:
(Note: If the issue is related to a Grade Appeal, please see the Grade Appeals policy.)
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Any student filing a complaint must first attempt to resolve it by consulting with the involved faculty or staff member.
- Concerns related to a faculty or staff member that cannot be resolved between the two parties should be presented to the department chair;
- if the concern cannot be resolved by the department chair or is related to the department chair, the complaint should be filed with the dean of the school;
- academic resolutions made by a dean are considered final unless the complaint is related to the dean of the school. In such case, the complaint should be filed with the vice-president for academic affairs;
- if the concern cannot be resolved by or relates to the vice-president for academic affairs, appropriate written documentation should be presented to the president of the college.
Non-Academic:
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Any student with a complaint must first attempt to resolve it by consulting with the involved staff member or office.
- Concerns related to a staff member or office that cannot be resolved between the two parties should be discussed with the respective director or dean of the unit;
- resolutions made by a director or dean are considered final unless the complaint is related to the director or dean. In such case, the complaint should be filed with the
- vice-president for responsibility over the unit;
- should the concern not be resolved by or is related to the vice-president, appropriate documentation should be presented in writing to the president of the college.
B. Discrimination and Harassment: Piedmont College is committed to creating and sustaining an educational and working environment free of discrimination and harassment of all types. Any complaints regarding discrimination or harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at titleIX@piedmont.edu. An Anonymous Tip Line is also provided on the Campus Safety website as a means by which students, faculty, staff or community members may relay information anonymously for investigation.
C. Complaints against the Institution: By Executive Order from the Governor of the State of Georgia, the Georgia Non-Public Postsecondary Education Commission is designated as the state agency responsible for receiving complaints made by students enrolled in private postsecondary institutions. (Contact information: Georgia Non-Public Postsecondary Education Commission, 2082 East Exchange Place Suite 220, Tucker, Georgia 30084-5305. Office: (770) 414-3300.)
Concerns or complaints relating to compliance or accreditation should be addressed to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033. Office: (770-679-4500).
Private Property Rights
Georgia law provides the owners of private property with the right to regulate the possession of firearms. Students, faculty, staff, and the general public are forbidden from having firearms, fireworks, explosives or explosive devices, or other weapons on college property. This includes the storage of such devices in automobiles parked on college property. Exception is made for licensed public safety officials in the employ of the college and for licensed public safety officers from other jurisdictions who are on college property in the discharge of their official duties.