About Piedmont College

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 2019-2020 academic year (Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Summer 2020). An official copy of the academic calendar can be found on the Piedmont College website at www.piedmont.edu/registrar.

Piedmont College reserves the right to change the modality of instruction (traditional, hybrid, online) at any time and without any financial adjustment to fees charged.

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, 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 Piedmont College Athletic Training Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been placed on probation as of February 11, 2020, by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101. The program is actively working to address the deficient standard, and is accepting both 3+2 and traditional graduate students as the process resolves. 

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.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Piedmont College has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity within its faculty, staff, and students.

Piedmont College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, or religion. Inquiries concerning this statement should be directed to:

For any inquires or complaints regarding disability non-discrimination, including compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973:

Human Resources 1021 Central Avenue Daniel Hall – Room 213 P.O. BOX 10 Demorest, GA 30535 (706) 778-3000 hr@piedmont.edu

A report may also be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights:

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Civil Rights

400 Maryland Ave., SW

Washington, D.C. 20202-1328

1-800-421-3481

Email Address: ocr@ed.gov

Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr

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.

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.)

1. Any student filing a complaint must first attempt to resolve it by consulting with the involved faculty or staff member.
2. Concerns related to a faculty or staff member that cannot be resolved between the two parties should be presented to the department chair. 
3. 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. 
4. 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.
5. 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:

1. Any student with a complaint must first attempt to resolve it by consulting with the involved staff member or office.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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).

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.