Educational Information

General Education

General education encompasses the common knowledge, skills and attitudes required by each individual to be effective as a person, worker, consumer and citizen. Programs of study in transfer curricula and occupational technical programs are designed to promote the achievement of the following general education competencies established by the Virginia Community College System. Degree graduates will demonstrate the ability to:

Area 1: Communication

• understand and interpret complex materials
• assimilate, organize, develop, and present an idea formally and informally
• use Standard English
• use appropriate verbal and non-verbal responses in interpersonal relations and group discussions
• use listening skills
• recognize the role of culture in communication

Area 2: Critical Thinking

• discriminate among degrees of credibility, accuracy, and reliability of inferences drawn from given data
• recognize parallels, assumptions, or presuppositions in any given source of information
• evaluate the strengths and relevance of arguments on a particular question or issue
• weigh evidence and decide if generalizations or conclusions based on the given data are warranted
• determine whether certain conclusions or consequences are supported by the information provided
• use problem solving skills

Area 3: Cultural and Social Understanding

• assess the impact that social institutions have on individuals and culture-past, present, and future
• describe their own as well as others’ personal ethical systems and values within social institutions
• recognize the impact that arts and humanities have upon individuals and cultures
• recognize the role of language in social and cultural contexts
• recognize the interdependence of distinctive world-wide social, economic, geo-political, and cultural systems

Area 4: Information Literacy

• determine the nature and extent of the information needed
• access needed information effectively and efficiently
• evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into his or her knowledge base
• use information effectively, individually or as a member of a group, to accomplish a specific purpose
• understand many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and access and use information ethically and legally

Area 5: Personal Development

• develop and/or refine personal wellness goals
• develop and/or enhance the knowledge, skills, and understanding to make informed academic, social, personal, career, and interpersonal decisions

Area 6: Quantitative Reasoning

• use logical and mathematical reasoning within the context of various disciplines
• interpret and use mathematical formulas
• interpret mathematical models such as graphs, tables and schematics and draw inferences from them
• use graphical, symbolic, and numerical methods to analyze, organize, and interpret data
• estimate and consider answers to mathematical problems in order to determine reasonableness
• represent mathematical information numerically, symbolically, and visually, using graphs and charts

Area 7: Scientific Reasoning

• generate an empirically evidenced and logical argument
• distinguish a scientific argument from a non-scientific argument
• reason by deduction, induction and analogy
• distinguish between causal and correlational relationships
• recognize methods of inquiry that lead to scientific knowledge

The Honors Program

The LFCC Honors Program is designed to challenge and reward students who are intellectually motivated and academically able through opportunities for in-depth study and interaction with like-minded students. A student may obtain honors credit by earning credit in an honors section, by fulfilling the honors component in a regular course as specified by the course professor or by completing a special honors seminar. A grade of A or B is required in a course or seminar in order to earn honors credit. Faculty recommendation or approval is required for enrollment in an honors seminar.

Honors credit is noted on the student’s transcript for each course or seminar in which it is earned. Graduating students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher, who have earned honors credit in at least three courses plus one honors seminar (for a total of ten (10) credits) receive the title “Honors Program Scholar” which is designated on their transcript and diploma.

Developmental Studies

English foundations and math essentials courses are offered to meet these needs:

1. prepare individuals for admission to college programs
2. assist students already pursuing coursework who are experiencing difficulties or want to improve their efficiency
3. provide an opportunity for individuals interested in improving their skills in particular areas but are not necessarily enrolled in a program

Students can enroll in courses to meet these three types of needs both during the regular school year and during the summer term.

eLearning

eLearning (which is an abbreviation for electronic learning) is sometimes referred to as distance learning. eLearning takes place when an instructor and students are separated by physical distance and various technologies are used to bridge the instructional gap. LFCC offers eLearning in three basic formats: online, hybrid and compressed video.

Online

An online course is a course that uses the Internet exclusively to deliver content and does not have any activities that occur at a single designated time and specified physical location. Online courses are often referred to as Web-based courses. In these courses, 100 percent of the course content is delivered online either through synchronous (real-time) or asynchronous (students and instructor not necessarily online at the same time) communication. These courses allow students the flexibility of completing their coursework using connectivity provided through the Internet. Students enrolled in these courses use an account provided by the VCCS to access the course materials, submit assignments, and communicate via email. Some courses may require attendance for on-campus labs or proctored testing. Such requirements are noted in the Class Schedule.

Hybrid Courses

Hybrid courses blend face-to-face instruction with online instruction and activities. In other words, a hybrid course is a course that uses the Internet to deliver a portion of its content in lieu of traditional classroom hours. Internet access is required since much of the course material, activities, and interaction is accomplished through the VCCS course management system.

Compressed Video (Live Interactive Video)

A compressed video course is sometimes referred to as a live video conference course. These courses are live, real-time courses that meet on campus in a special distance learning classroom. Since the courses are real-time, the days and times of the courses are fixed. A typical distance learning classroom is equipped with multi-way audio and video technology which includes a large display for student viewing, computer for instruction, document camera, DVD player, and phone/fax for support. Students who participate in a compressed video course may be at a physical location for instruction that is different from where their instructor is facilitating the lesson.

For example, the instructor may meet face-to-face with students at the Middletown Campus connect through video conference to students at the Fauquier Campus and/or the Luray-Page County Center. Synchronous real-time interaction is facilitated through the technology that connects all of the participating sites. In other words, students can hear, see, and speak to the instructor and the instructor, in turn, can interact with the students in the same manner.

Is Online Learning Right for You?

Although there are a number of benefits to online and hybrid learning, the success of students depends highly on good time management, self-discipline and self-motivation. Additionally, online and hybrid learners must have proficiency in computer literacy and competency. In order to help you be a more successful distance learning student, we strongly recommend you examine your learning preferences and technology-related skills before registering for an online or hybrid course.

Old Dominion University - ODU Online

Lord Fairfax Community College serves as a hub for Old Dominion University (ODU) Online. This interactive distance education program enables students to earn undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees from a fully accredited University without leaving their area of residence. ODU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Students complete the first two years of coursework through the Virginia Community College System, and then complete the remaining required coursework for the undergraduate degree through ODU Online. The Middletown Campus hub location provides proctoring services and a computer lab for printing services on site to students in their service region.

Students interested in ODU admission or course registration should contact the ODU Online Community Engagement Assistant at (540) 869-2948 or by email at powens@odu.edu or rfrieden@odu.edu. The office for ODU is located in the Corron Building at Lord Fairfax Community College’s Middletown campus (Room 209).

Minimum Requirements for Associate Degrees in the VCCS

 As specified above, degree programs must contain a minimum of 15 semester hours of general education as defined by SACSCOC.

Notes:

^(a) Each of the courses in communication must be in written communication.

^(b) One course in humanities/fine arts for the Fine Arts major must be a literature course.

^(c) Each of the two courses cannot be from the same discipline area (e.g. humanities).

^(d) One course in social/behavioral sciences must be a history course and the second required course cannot be history.

^(e) A total of 3-6 semester hours is required in either natural sciences and/or mathematics for the AAA and AAS.

^(f) Transfer core includes additional general education and/or major courses. 

General Education Courses Approved to Meet General Education Requirements All Programs (excluding Liberal Arts)

ELECTIVES General Studies All Programs (excluding Liberal Arts)   

Approved Electives for the Liberal Arts Degree

ELECTIVES Liberal Arts Degrees   

Approved STEM Electives

ELECTIVES STEM Science/Technology/Engineering/Math  

Approved General Engineering Electives

Note: Electives listed do not have to be taken in the semester listed but doing so typically keeps a student’s program on track. Since some electives are only offered in a specific semester keeping a program on track is important. It is also important to understand that the electives listed are the only approved electives. Any other courses to be used as technical electives must be approved by the program coordinator and must have sufficient justification for approval.

ELECTIVES General Engineering Technology  

Core Computer Competency Requirements

Overview

A minimum level of proficiency in the use of computers and various software applications is essential in today’s technological world. Therefore, LFCC requires each degree-seeking student to demonstrate proficiency in using a Windows-based operating system, along with components of an integrated productivity software package, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation and/or communication applications.

Requirements

The majority of the College’s associate degrees require that students complete a computer course such as ITE 115 - Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts  or equivalent. In lieu of completing a basic computer proficiency course, students may demonstrate proficiency in the core computer competencies. Students who successfully demonstrate proficiency in using a Windows-based operating system along with word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and communications applications may then select an appropriate elective to complete the required credit hours for their degree.

Computer Competency Testing

LFCC requires many degree-seeking students to demonstrate proficiency in computer operations and software applications. Students may take ITE 115  in computer literacy and competency. Students may demonstrate proficiency in core computer competencies by passing each of the three sections of the IC³-Internet and Computing Core Certification (Computer Competency Certification Exam). The three sections cover topics in Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, and Living Online. Each section requires the purchase of an exam voucher. In the event of a student not passing a section, the student is allowed not more than two retakes with the purchase of additional vouchers. There is a one-day waiting period required for the initial retake and a one-day waiting period for the second retake. Student should allow approximately three hours to complete all three exams.

Individuals seeking IC³ certification are required to take and pass all three IC3 exam sections. Each section must receive a passing score to achieve the LFCC computer literacy requirement. If students don’t pass the exam or if they feel that they need to improve their computer skills, they must take a computer course.

However, after passing the IC³ exam, students neither earn college credit for exam certification nor fulfill computer competency requirements at transferring universities or colleges. Students who successfully demonstrate proficiency may then select an appropriate elective to complete the required credit hours for their degree.

Classification of Programs

Programs offered by the College may be classified both by their purpose and by the degree or certificate to which they lead. College-parallel transfer programs lead to an associate of arts and sciences (AA&S) Degree or an associate of science (AS) degree, which are intended to prepare students for transfer to four-year baccalaureate programs.

Occupational-technical programs, intended to prepare students for specific occupations, lead to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree, a certificate (C) or a career studies certificate (CSC). Following completion of these programs, students may choose to enter the workforce or pursue additional education or training options.

The College reserves the right to withdraw program offerings if there is not sufficient demand or for other appropriate reasons.

Special Course Designations

Some courses in this catalog have special designations, to signal their status as transfer courses, as courses only offered at partner sites, etc. The following is a key to those designations:

Passport Course

Transfer Virginia is an initiative run by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV). The purpose of this initiative is to streamline the path from community college to senior institutions of higher education in Virginia. Through this work, transferability and applicability of courses will be consistent for all students in the VCCS regardless of delivering campus or modality. A course designated as a Passport Course is guaranteed to transfer as an equivalent course at any public 4-year institution in Virginia.

Dual Enrollment Only

Community Colleges in Virginia have a strong partnership with K-12 schools. For certain courses, the high school may offer the ability for a student to receive high school credit as well as college credit. This requires that the instructor of the course meet all requirements of the community college system and the course is supervised by the local community college. In some instances, there are courses in our catalog that are currently taught only at the high school. These are listed as Dual Enrollment Only.