Mar 18, 2024  
2020-21 Gaston College Catalog 
    
2020-21 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]

Student Information



 

About the College, Locations & Phone Numbers

The Gaston College Catalog is an annual publication which lists the academic policies and procedures. In addition, the catalog includes information on fees, curriculum requirements, and courses for over 100 programs of study, course descriptions, and a listing of administration, faculty, and staff at Gaston College. Publication notice: This edition of the Catalog was published May 2020. General College information and/or specific program information may have changed since this catalog was printed.

Go to gaston.edu, click on “Quick Links”, and scroll down to the “catalog” link to view the most recent edition of the catalog.

About the College

Celebrating over 50 years of service, Gaston College is one of 58 community colleges in the North Carolina Community College System. In January 1963, the College was granted a charter by the State of North Carolina, and began its first classes in temporary headquarters in September 1964. The College moved to its permanent campus on Highway 321 between Dallas and Gastonia two months later. Serving both Gaston and Lincoln counties, Gaston College enrolls over 6,000 students each term in curriculum programs and averages over 16,000 students annually in its Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education programs.

Gaston College Campuses and Phone/Fax Numbers

Gaston College (Main)
Dallas Campus 

201 Highway 321South
Dallas, NC 28034-1499
704.922.6200 • FAX 704.922.2323

Lincoln Campus

P.O. Box 600
511S. Aspen St.
Lincolnton, NC 28093
704.748.5200 • FAX 704.748.1074

Kimbrell Campus & Textile Technology Center

7220 Wilkinson Blvd.
Belmont, NC 28012
704.825.3737• FAX 704.825.7303

Gaston College Website Address www.gaston.edu

Also, follow Gaston College on Facebook

Telephone Numbers

Dallas Campus

704.922.6200

  Admissions 704.922.6232
  Bookstore 704.922.6428
  Business Office 704.922.6414
  Counseling 704.922.6220
  Financial Aid 704.922.6227
  Gaston Early College High School 704.922.2408
  Learning Center 704.922.6349
  Student Records & Registration/Transcripts 704.922.6232
  Sponsorship Office 704.922.6410
  TRiO Student Support Services 704.922.2363
  TRiO Upward Bound 704.922.2286
  Writing Center 704.922.2369
  WSGE Radio 704.922.6552

Academic Affairs Division Offices

704.922.6240

  Arts & Sciences 704.922.6310
  Business & Information Tech 704.922.6263
  Educational Partnerships 704.922.6297
  Engineering & Industrial Education Technology 704.922.6295
  Health and Human Services 704.922.6379
  Libraries
    Dallas 704.922.6356
    Lincoln 704.748.5208
    Kimbrell 704.825.6278

Lincoln Campus 

704.748.5200

  Office of the Dean 704.748.5213
  Bookstore 704.748.5233
  Business Office 704.748.5211
  Counseling 704.748.5209

Kimbrell Campus

704.825.3737

  Office of the Dean 704.825.6272
  Bookstore 704.825.6280
  Business Office 704.825.6255

Economic and Workforce Development/ Continuing Education

704.922.6476

  Office of VP for Economic and Workforce Development 704.922.6476
  Office of AVP for Economic and Workforce Development 704.922.6448
  Occupational and Continuing Education 704.922.6251
  Traffic School 704.922.6353
  Business and Industry Training Services 704.922.6447
  Criminal Justice Academy 704.922.6531
  Department for EMS Education 704.922.6241
  Fire and Rescue Training 704.922.6257
  Small Business Center 704.922.6449
  Human Resources Development 704.922.6546
  Work Based Learning 707.922.6212

Adult Education

 
  High School Equivalency 704.922.6320
or 704.748.5206
  Adult High School Diploma 704.922.6319
or 704.748.5205
  Basic Skills Plus 704.922.2268
  English as a Second Language 704.748.5206
  WIOA (NCWorks) NextGen 704.923.8410

Mission Statement

Gaston College is dedicated to providing flexible, high-quality and accessible learning opportunities that are relevant and responsive to diverse regional, community and student needs.

Activities in Support of the Mission

To accomplish its mission, the College:

  • Provides comprehensive Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree programs designed primarily to prepare students to enter the workforce.
  • Provides diploma and certificate programs consisting of a sequence of courses that frequently can be completed in one year or less by full-time students. These programs are intended for individuals seeking employment in a specific occupation.
  • Provides Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts (A.F.A.) degree, Associate in Engineering (A.E.), and Associate in General Education-Nursing (A.G.E.-N.) programs primarily designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university.
  • Provides developmental education to prepare students for entry into a degree, diploma, or certificate program.
  • Provides compensatory education, adult literacy, English as a Second Language, and high school diploma or equivalency for individuals seeking to improve basic skills, complete high school requirements, prepare for the workforce, or enter post-secondary education.
  • Provides continuing education programs for individual, personal, and professional development and for employee education and training to satisfy the skill development needs of business, industry, and public agencies.
  • Assures quality in all educational programs by measuring performance on a set of well-established criteria and by identifying and analyzing program needs.
  • Assures quality instruction by establishing effective, innovative, and professional teaching practices; by frequent evaluation of instructor effectiveness, and by updating methods, materials, equipment and facilities.
  • Provides support services for all students, including specialized services for the disadvantaged, the handicapped and other special needs groups to enable student success.
  • Promotes positive relationships with public and private schools, colleges, and universities, and with business and industry.
  • Provides services that support community economic, educational, and cultural efforts, which promote cooperative relationships with the community.
  • Promotes accessibility to educational programs through off-campus course offerings and through distance-learning opportunities.

Performance Measures

In response to a mandate from the NC General Assembly (S.L. 1989; C. 752; S. 80), the State Board of Community Colleges adopted twelve (12) performance measures to ensure the effectiveness of community college programs and to provide public accountability. Modifications to the North Carolina Performance Measures and Standards were made in 2007 and 2012, reducing the number to eight (8) measures. In 2016, the measures were modified, reduced to seven (7) and were adopted by the General Assembly through section 10.1 of S.L.2016-94. Recommendations from the most recent review were approved in 2018. The results are published annually by the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) on the NCCCS Web page at http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/analytics.

Measure

Baseline

2020 Gaston College Performance Measures Results

NCCCS Average

Met Baseline

1. Basic Skills Student Progress

24.2% of Basic Skills periods of participation (POP) with a measurable skills gain (MSG)

43.6% of basic skills periods of participation at GC with a measurable skills gain.

45.1%

Yes

2. Student success rate in college level English

40.1% of first-time fall associate degree seeking and transfer pathway students will successfully complete a credit-bearing English course with a “C” or better within three years.

62.3% met the criteria.

60.6%

Yes

3. Student success rate in college level Math

19.5% of first-time fall associate degree seeking and transfer pathway students will successfully complete a credit-bearing math course with a “C” or better within three years.

38.8% met the criteria.

42.7%

Yes

4. First year progression

56.5% of first-time full credential- seeking curriculum students will graduate prior to or enroll in postsecondary education the subsequent fall semester.

70.1% met the criteria.

70.3%

Yes

5. Curriculum completion

34.1% of first-time fall credential- seeking curriculum students will graduate, transfer, or be still enrolled during the fourth academic year with 42 successfully completed non-developmental hours.

49.8% met the criteria.

53.4%

Yes

6. Licensure and certification passing rate

A 0.79 weighted index score of first-time test-taker results on licensure and certification exams.

1.02 weighted index score.

0.98%

Yes

7. College Transfer Performance

74.4% of Associate Degree completers and those who have completed 30 or more articulated transfer credits who subsequently transfer to a 4-year college or university during the fall semester will have graduated or remain enrolled at any 4-year college or university in the subsequent fall.

85.6% met the criteria.

85.4%

Yes

Notification of Nondiscrimination

Gaston College is committed to equal opportunity in employment and educational programs and activities and does not discriminate against current or potential employees or students on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Gaston College supports protections under all applicable state and federal laws including, but not limited to, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008.

Inquiries regarding equal opportunity should be directed to: Chief Administrative Officer (Employees) or Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (Students), 201 Highway 321 South, Dallas, NC 28034 or call 704.922.6200.

Right to Change

The Gaston College Board of Trustees and/or Administration of Gaston College reserves the right to change at any time, and without notice, graduation requirements, fees and other charges, curriculums, course structure and content, and other such matters as may be within its control, notwithstanding any information set forth in this catalog. Gaston College reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient enrollment. Course offerings approved after publication of this catalog are described in class schedules, which are issued each semester. 2020-2021 tuition rates subject to change pending legislative action and approval.

2020-2021 Academic Calendar

Fall Semester 2020

August 18 Last Day Registration-Fall 16-Week Classes/Payment Due by 6:00 pm*
August 20 First Day of 16-Week, First 8-Week, and First 5-Week Classes
Aufust 22 First Day of First 8-Week Saturday Classes
August 22 Last Day to add First 5-Week Classes. Last Day to Drop First-5-Week Classes with a 75% Tuition Refund
August 24 Last Day to Add First 8-Week Classes. Last Day to Drop First 8-Week Classes with a 75% Tuition Refund
August 26 Last Day to add First 8-Week Saturday Classes. Last Day to Drop First 8-Week Saturday Classes with a 75% Tuition Refund
August 28 Last Day to add 16-Week Classes. Last Day to Drop Classes with a 75% Refund or Audit Fall Semester/Payment Due 5:00 pm*
September 5
Faculty/Student Break
September 7
College Closed: Holiday
September 8 First Day of 13-Week Classes
September 16 Last Day to Withdraw from First-5-Week Classes
September 17 Last Day to Add 13-Week Classes. Last Day to Drop 13-Week Classes with a 75% Tuition Refund
September 18 Financial Aid Checks Mailed
September 24 Last Day to Withdraw from First 8-Week Classes and First 8-Week Saturday Classes
September 25 First Day of Second 5-Week Classes
September 27 Last Day to Add Second 5-Week Classes. Last Day to Drop Second-5-Week Classes with 75% Tuition Refund
October 14 Last Say of First 8-Week Classes
October 15-17 Faculty/Student Break (college closes at 4 pm on October 15 and noon on October 16)
October 19 First Day of Second 8-Week Classes
October 21 Last Day to Withdraw from Second 5-Week Classes
October 22-January 8 Spring Advising/Registration-Returning Students
October 23 Last Day to Add Second 8-Week Classes. Last Day to Drop Second 8-Week Classes with a 75%Tuiton Refund
October 24 First Day of Second 8-Week Saturday Classes
October 28 Last Day to Add Second 8-Week Saturday Classes. Last Day to Drop Second 8-Week Saturday Classes with a 75% Tuition Refund
October 30 Last Day of Second 5-Week Classes
November 2 First Day of Third-5-Week Classes
November 4 Last Day to Add Third 5-Week Classes. Last Day to Drop Third-5-Week Classes with a 75% Tuition Refund
November 5-January 8 Spring Advising/Registration-New Students
November 5 Last Day to Withdraw from 16-Week Classes
November 5 Last Day to Petition for Spring 2020 Graduation
November 12 Last Day to Withdraw from 13-Week Classes
November 19 Last Day to Withdraw from Second 8-Week Classes and Second 8-Week Saturday Classes
November 24 Last Day to Withdraw from Third-5–Week Classes
November 25 Faculty/Student Break (college closes at 11 am)
November 26-27 College Closed: Holiday
November 28 Faculty/Student Break
December 9 Last Day of Third 5-Week Classes
December 10-16 Final Exam Week/December 16 Last Day of the Term
December 10 Pay Tuition & Fees for Spring Semester by 5 pm*
December 18 Grades Due by Noon
December 17-21 Faculty/Student Break (college closes at 3 pm on 12/21/20)
December 22-31 College Closed

Spring Semester 2021

January 1 College Closed
January 2-6 Faculty Break
January 2-8 Student Break
January 7 Last Registration Day Spring16-Week Classes/Payment Due 6 pm*
January 11 First Day of 16-Week, First 8-Week, and First 5-Week Classes
January 13 Last Day to Drop First 5-Week Classes with a 75% Tuition Refund
January 15 Last Day to Drop First 8-Week Classes with a 75% Refund
January 16 Faculty Student Break
January 18 College Closed: Holiday
January 22 Last Day to Drop Classes with a 75% Refund or Audit for Spring Semester/Payment Due 4 pm*
January 23 First Day of 16-Week Saturday Classes and First 8-Week Saturday Classes
January 26 Last Day to Drop First 8-Week Saturday Classes with a 75% Refund
February 1 Last Day to Drop 16-Week Saturday Classes with a 75% Refund
February 4 Last Day to Withdraw from First 5-Week Classes
February 10 Last Day to Drop 13-Week Classes with a 75% Refund
February 15 First Day of Second 5-Week Classes
February 16 Financial Aid Checks Mailed
February 18 Last Day to Drop Second 5-Week Classes with a 755 Tuition Refund
February 18 Last Day to Withdraw from First 8-Week Classes
Febraury 18 Last Day to Petition for Spring Commencement Ceremony for Summer Graduates
February 25 Last Day to Withdraw from First 8-Week Saturday Classes
March 8-13 Faculty/Student Break (college closes at 4pm)
March 19 Last Day to Drop Second 8-Week Classes with a 75% Refund
March 24 Last Day to Drop Second 8-Week Saturday Classes with a 75% Refund
March 29 First Day of Third 5-Week Classes
March 31 Student Break/Professional Development Day
April 1 Faculty/Student Break (college closes at 4pm)
April 2 College Closed: Holiday
April 3-6 Faculty/Student Break (college closes at 4pm)
April 7 Last Day to Drop Third 5-Week Classes with a 75% Tuition Refund
April 15 Last Day to Withdraw from 16-Week Classes
April 16 Last Day to Petition for Summer Graduation
April 21 Last Day to Withdraw from 13-Week Classes, Second 8-Week and Second 8-Week Saturday Classes
April 22-May 20 Advising & Registration for Summer: Returning Students
April 28 Last Day to Withdraw from Second 8-Week and Second 8-Week Saturday Classes
May 6-May 20 Summer Advising/Registration-New Students Begins
May 7-13 Final Exam Week/May 13 Last Day of the Term
May 13
Pay Tuition & Fees for Summer Semester by 5 pm*
May 14 Graduation, Bojangles Arena 4 pm
May 15-20 Faculty/Student Break
May 17 Grades Due by Noon
May 17 Start Summer Flex Schedule - Monday-Thursday, 8 am - 6 pm
May 19 University Visiting Student Day-Visiting Student Registration

Summer Semester 2021

May 20 Last Registration Day for 10-Week Classes/Payment Due 6 pm*
May 24 First Day of 10-Week and First 5-Week Classes  
May 26 Last Day to Drop First 5-Weeks Classes with a 75% Refund or Audit/Payment Due 5 pm*  
May 27
Last Day to Drop 10-Week Classes with a 75% Refund or Audit
May 31 College Closed: Holiday
June 7 First Day of 8-Week Classes
June 10 Last Day to Drop 8-Week Classes with a 75% Refund
June 15 First Day-7-Week Classes
June 16-August 18 Advising & Registration for Fall: Returning Students
June 17 Last Day to Withdraw from First 5-Week Classes
June 24 Last Day of First 5-Week Classes/Financial Aid Checks Mailed
June 28 First Day of Second 5-Week Classes
June 30 Last Day to Drop Second 5-Week Classes with a 75% Refund
July 5 College Closed: Holiday
July 6-8 Faculty/Student Break
July 13-August 18 Fall Advising/Registration-New Students Begin
July 15 Last Day to Petition for Fall Graduation
July 15 Last Day to Withdraw from 10-Week Classes
July 22 Last Day to Withdraw from 7-Week, 8-Week and Second 5-Week Classes
August 5 Pay Tuition and Fees for Fall Semester By 5 pm*
August 5
Last Day of Summer Term
August 9 Grades Due at Noon
August 9-18 Faculty/Student Break
August 16 End Summer Flex Schedule (Return to Regular Schedule 8/16/21)
August 19-21 Student Break

For questions about withdrawal deadlines, consult the class syllabus. For add/drop or withdrawal deadlines, contact Records at 704.922.6232.

*Students with Financial Aid/Sponsorship/Payment Plans May Not be Dropped for Nonpayment Pending Balance Due. Contact the Business Office or Financial Aid with Questions.


All dates on the Gaston College Calendar are subject to change.

Student Right to Know

The average rate of persistence toward degree completion by students at Gaston College is available in the Student Records Office.

Accreditations and Memberships

Gaston College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Gaston College.

The Commission on Colleges should be contacted only on matters related to the accreditation status of Gaston College and not for general College information.

The College’s diploma, certificate, Associate, and Applied Science Degree Programs are accredited by national accreditation boards, commissions, or service agencies. Additionally, the College is in good standing with over 20 institutional memberships. Students with institution or program accreditation questions should contact the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.