About CWC

Student Attributes

Central Wyoming College wants students completing course work to possess particular student attributes. Definitions of the five most important attributes defined by CWC faculty are:

Critical/Creative Thinking. (CCT) Students demonstrate critical/creative thinking when they use an appropriate process in evaluating an idea. Students will be able to analyze and evaluate, make judgments and draw conclusions.

Communication. (C) Students demonstrate communication skills when they exchange information effectively in a variety of contexts and formats.

Diversity. (D) Students demonstrate intercultural competency when they describe and analyze the impact of culture and identity among diverse groups.

Self-directed Learning. (SDL) Students demonstrate self-directed learning skills when they take the initiative to assess their need for learning, establish a goal, develop a learning strategy and assess the learning outcomes.

Technological/Information Literacy. (TL) Students demonstrate technological literacy when they use appropriate technology to manage information, solve problems, or communicate effectively.

Locale

The CWC campus is located in Fremont County on the outskirts of Riverton, a city of about 10,000 on the banks of the Wind River. The campus and community lie in the Wind River Valley, a large lowland area bounded by mountains on three sides. The area has a wide range of environmental zones from cold desert to alpine.

The valley has a rich and varied history. A large portion is presently occupied by the Wind River Indian Reservation, home of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. The rendezvous of the mountain men was held in the south portion in the early 1800s.

Central Wyoming College also serves communities in Hot Springs and Teton counties through outreach services and/or dual and concurrent course offerings.

Accreditation

CWC is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South La-Salle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604-1413. Phone: 800-621-7440. FAX: 312-263-7462. Accrediting CWC’s Nursing Program is the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing, 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. Phone: 404.975.5000. Fax: 404.975.5020.

Student Consumer Information

Student Consumer Information, Information on Students’ Right To Know and the Campus Security Act is available online at as well as in the Student Handbook.

Central Wyoming College’s annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Central Wyoming College and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus and fire statistics for each on campus student housing facility. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, missing student notification, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting the office of the Director of Campus Security at 307.855.2143 or 800.735.8418, ext. 2143 or by accessing the following website: www.cwc.edu. It is also printed in the Student Handbook.

The content of this Catalog is provided for the information of the student. It is subject to change from time to time as deemed appropriate by the college in order to fulfill its role and mission or to accommodate circumstances beyond its control. Any such changes may be implemented without prior notice and without obligation and, unless specified otherwise, are effective when made.

Definitions

Academic Year. Consists of fall, spring and summer sessions.

Continuing Education Unit (CEU). Consists of ten contact hours of participation in an organized non-credit, continuing education experience under the sponsorship and direction of Central Wyoming College. CEUs are for professional development versus personal development.

Co-Requisite Course. A course section supplementing a college-level course for students placing at a pre-college level.

Course. Major subject areas are broken down into smaller units. Each unit or course covers a defined portion of that subject area. See Course Descriptions listed in this catalog.

Credit Hour.

Central Wyoming College’s Credit Hour Policy

Definition of a credit hour per WCCC Rules, Chapter 1:

“Credit hour” (consistent with federal regulations) means an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than: (i) one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester 1-4 hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (ii) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in (i) above for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Federal Credit Definition (34CFR 600.2):

A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of- class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in 1 of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

    

Central Wyoming College

Adhering to the Federal Credit Definition, for Central Wyoming College courses offered for academic credit, the credit hour is defined as the amount of work represented in the expected learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. Summer, shorter block, and distance education courses have identical expectations and in the case of in-person instruction, the same time requirements.

Definitions of one (1) Carnegie credit hour (50 minutes):

1. One hour of Carnegie class time of direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks (one semester) or equivalent work for a shorter period of time.
2. An equivalent amount of work and assessment for other activities including laboratory work, internships, practica and studio work.
3. A credit hour for CWC is 50 minutes. For courses such as online, where there is no required seat time, a credit hour is measured by an equivalent amount of work as documented by student outcomes and learning objectives (documented by course outlines, syllabi, and listed textbooks).
4. Course Types:

   Clinical: Course of study designed especially for the preparation of students; that practicum involves the supervised practical application of previously studied theory in the field. Minimum 2250 minutes per credit hour.

   Directed Study: These courses utilize an independent study mode for specific areas of study not covered by courses in the catalog and are to be used in exceptional circumstances. In such courses, students will engage in a series of activities designed to develop competence in a specified area. Activities should include, but not be limited to, the development and preparation of presentations and special research. Specific requirements should be determined by the student and the instructor. The course should be of equal intensity and duration of a face-to-face course.

   Hybrid: These courses are a combination of lecture or lab (in-class) and online courses. Some hybrid courses are lecture courses that are split into a lecture course with an online component. Some hybrid courses are lab based courses (ie Biology or Anatomy) that are split with the lecture online and the lab content in class. Course assessment is based on attainment of course outcomes. Each course will have some portion of the course based upon lecture or lab calculation (750 minutes per credit hour for lecture or 1500 minutes per credit hour for lab) along with the online portion being of equal intensity and duration of a face-to-face class.

   Online: Online course content is given online and interaction is given via computer interface. Instruction, discussion, assessment, and feedback is conducted online.

   Laboratory: Primary method of instruction is hands-on/application oriented. Minimum 1500 minutes per credit hour.

   Lecture: Primary method of instruction is verbal - instruction/discussion/group interaction format. Minimum 750 minutes per credit hour.

   Lecture/Lab: These courses combine lecture and laboratory learning into an integrated course period. Lecture/lab (LAL) courses will combine lecture into the laboratory setting to facilitate student application of content into the hands-on laboratory setting. Each course will be scheduled based on the defined lecture and lab calculations.

   Music Lessons: These courses are for intensive individualized instruction on voice or a musical instrument. Direct contact time between the student and instructor for 1 credit would be 30 minutes per week for 15 weeks. Additionally, the student is expected to practice a minimum of 4 to 12 hours per week for 15 weeks depending on whether the lesson is for non-majors or music majors.

Curriculum. An organized program of study made up of specific courses which are arranged in such a way as to provide educational preparation for a career or further study in that field.

Pre-college Courses. Those courses necessary to meet the needs of the under-prepared, entry-level college student. The courses are academically at a pre-collegiate level and provide skills that prepare students for college level courses.

Student Classifications

Full-time student. A student registered for 12 or more credits per semester.

Part-time student. A student registered for fewer than 12 credits per semester.

Freshman. A degree-seeking student who has accumulated less than 30 credits.

Sophomore. A degree-seeking student who has accumulated 30 or more credits.

Junior. A degree-seeking student who has accumulated 60 or more credits.

Senior. A degree-seeking student who has accumulated 90 or more credits.

Degree-Seeking. Status of enrolled student who has officially declared a program of study designed to meet requirements for a Certificate of Completion, Associate Degree or Bachelor of Applied Science Degree offered by the institution.

Grade Point Average (GPA). A semester GPA is a student’s grade point average for all the CWC courses in which the student is enrolled for that semester. An overall or cumulative GPA is the student’s grade point average for all the CWC college courses taken to date. The highest GPA a student can earn is a 4.00 (A). A 2.00 cumulative GPA is required for graduation.

Regular degree-seeking matriculated student. A student, at least 16 years of age, enrolled in an AA, AS, AAS, ADN, BAS, or certificate program.

Dual Credit/Concurrent Enrollment High School Student. An eligible high school student may enroll as a non-degree seeking student, in postsecondary education offered by Central Wyoming College in accordance with a signed articulation agreement. The articulation agreement contains the policies and procedures for this admission status.