Education Policies & Statistics
Table of Contents
Approval and Accreditation
Williamson is approved and authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to confer the Associate in Specialized Technology Degree.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Williamson College of the Trades is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE or the Commission, www.msche.org). Williamson College of the Trades’ accreditation status is accreditation granted. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on June 27, 2024, was to grant the institution accreditation. MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidate status) activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States. Williamson’s MSCHE directory listed may be accessed at this link: (www.msche.org/institution/9235/). General inquiries may be sent to President@msche.org.
MSCHE Contact Information:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education1007 North Orange Street4th Floor, MB #166Wilmington, DE 19801
president@msche.org
www.msche.org
Approval and Accreditation documents are available upon request.
An institution’s accreditation does not guarantee that credits earned at that institution will be accepted for transfer by any other institution. Decisions concerning the acceptance of credits by any institution other than the granting institution are made at the sole discretion of the receiving institution. Students considering continuing their education at or transferring to other institutions must not assume that credits earned at this school will be accepted by the receiving institution. Students must contact the registrar of the receiving institution to determine what credits, if any, that institution will accept.
Advanced Placement Credit
Because Williamson’s curriculum is specifically oriented toward trade and technical applications, the college does not exempt students from courses on the basis of having successfully completed advanced placement courses or similar courses at other post-secondary institutions.
Copyright Infringement/Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Policies
Copyright Protected Material
Compliance with Copyright Laws
The copyright law is in place to foster a balance between the creation and dissemination of information, so individuals are encouraged to make use of copyrighted information in a reasonable and lawful manner. It is understood that during the course of their work, research, and/or instruction, faculty, staff and students of the college will need to reproduce copyrighted information for use or distribution of that information.
The Fair Use Doctrine: There are certain circumstances under the Copyright Act where it is permissible to reproduce or display copyrighted works without the permission of the copyright owner. These circumstances are governed by the “Fair Use” doctrine. The following factors are considered when determining if duplication or use of copyrighted material by a third party constitutes a fair use:
- The purpose and character of the use, including whether the use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes: A non-profit educational purpose or non-commercial use generally allows for the fair use of the copyright material.
- Nature of the copyrighted work: Works generally fall into the categories of published or unpublished, fact or fiction. Published factual works, such as books, dictionaries or other factual works, by their nature more readily support a finding of fair use than do unpublished works or non-factual, fictional, creative works.
- Amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole: If the portion of the work copied or used in relation to the entire work is quantitatively and qualitatively insignificant, a case can be made for fair use. Copying of a minor portion of a work however, may be found to be in violation if the portion constitutes the essence or critical part of the copied work. In such cases, users should post links to articles and materials whenever possible rather than duplicating complete works.
- The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work: This factor is considered the most important element in the fair use analysis. Duplication or use of a copyrighted work that is not detrimental to and does not diminish the potential market for the work will support the fair use policy.
Fair Use Guidelines
Permitted Uses: Legally produced and obtained audiovisual works may be used in non-profit educational institutions under the following conditions:
- The work must be part of the educational program
- The work must be shown by a student, instructor, or guest lecturer
- The work must be shown in a classroom or other school location devoted to instruction
- The work must be shown only to students in the class, that is, no guest viewing the work for entertainment or enrichment
- The work is used for entertainment, recreation, or even cultural or intellectual value unrelated to teaching activities
- The work is transmitted by radio or television (this includes closed circuit) from an outside location;
- The work is shown in an auditorium before an audience not confined to students
Permitted Uses: Off air taping (tape or other electronic means) has specific regulations that permit classroom use:
- The material may be retained for 45 days from the airing but then must be erased
- The material may be shown in class only during the first ten days after the broadcast. (Some PBS programs can only be used and retained for seven days)
- The material may be shown to students no more than two times during a ten-day period. After the ten-day period, only teachers may view the material
- The contents may not be altered or combined to form anthologies, but need not be shown in their entirety
Rental sources (e.g. borrowed from the library may be shown in class. Libraries have the right to loan, sell, or otherwise dispose of legally obtained tapes. The “for home use only” labels do not prevent library or classroom use of legal tapes. Back-up tapes are only permitted when the original is deteriorating and is no longer available on the market.
Permitted Uses: Teachers preparing to teach a class may make a single copy of:
- A book chapter
- An article
- A short story, essay, or short poem
- A chart, graph, diagram, cartoon, drawing, or picture
- Brevity. For poetry, the suggested maximum is 250 words. For prose, the guidelines offer two different limitations. Educators may copy any complete story, essay, or article under 2,500 words or excerpts of not more than 1,000 words or 10% of the text. For illustrations, the guidelines suggest no more than one chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon, or picture per book or periodical issue
- Spontaneity. The “inspiration and decision to use the work” must occur so soon prior to classroom use that it would not be feasible to write for and receive permission from the publisher to duplicate the material. It is also imperative that the copying occur at the request of the teacher, not at the directive of an administrator or other “higher authority”
- Cumulative Effort. Generally, only one copy may be made of a short poem, article, story or essay. No more than three of these items may be from the same collective work or periodical volume during one class term. The most limiting restriction further specifies no more than a total of nine instances of such multiple copying for one course during one class term. Finally, all multiple copying of a particular work is limited to one course; in other words, copying a work to be used in several courses is not likely to be considered a fair use of the material
- Educators are not to create, through photocopying, their own anthologies, compilations or collective works whether brought together in one collection or reproduced and used separately
- Copying must not substitute for the purchase of books, periodicals, or reprints; this prohibition especially applies to the duplication of “consumable” materials such as workbooks, test booklets and standardized tests
- Students must not be charged more than the actual cost of copying the material
- A teacher must not duplicate the same item from one term to another
File Sharing and Peer-to-Peer Software Programs
Software
The fair use doctrine generally does not apply to computer software. Rather, the terms of the software license accompanying the software will dictate the usage terms. Thus, unless the software has been placed in the public domain deliberately by its creator, all software should be assumed to be protected by copyright law.
Possessing software for which an individual does not own a license is a violation of the Copyright Act, and may subject the individual to disciplinary action, to include dismissal for students or termination for employees. In addition to application software and operating systems, federal copyright protection also extends to the data files created for use with or by these systems. Unauthorized creation, copying and distribution of these materials are violations of the federal copyright statute, unless they can be construed as fair use.
TEACH Act
The Technology, Education and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH Act) (Section 110(2) of the U.S. copyright law) is a copyright exemption that addresses teaching conducted through digital transmission.
Under the TEACH Act, faculty may use the following copyrighted materials when teaching a class through a digital transmission:
- Performances of nondramatic literary works
- Performances of nondramatic musical works
- Performances of any other work, including dramatic works and audiovisual works, but only in “reasonable and limited portions”
- Displays of any work “in an amount comparable to that which is typically displayed in the course of a live classroom session”
- The performance or display is made by or under the supervision of an instructor
- The use is limited to performances and displays. The TEACH Act does not apply to materials that are for students’ independent use and retention, such as textbooks or other readings
- The work is part of systematic mediated instructional activities
- The transmission must be made solely for and limited to students officially enrolled in the course
- Only lawfully acquired copies may be used
- The instructor should use reasonable efforts to prevent copying and retention of the work (e.g., streaming for video; thumbnails, watermarks and disabling right click copy function for images)
- The materials to be used should not include those primarily marketed for the purposes of distance education (i.e. an electronic textbook or a multimedia tutorial)
- A digital copy may be made from an analog copy when no digital version is available or when the digital version is technologically protected
- The work must carry a notice to students that the works are copyrighted
Digital Millenium Copyright Act
The purpose of this policy statement is to set forth the college’s procedures pertaining to the receipt and response to reports of alleged copyright infringement utilizing the Williamson network in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (P.L. 105-304).
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) provides an opportunity for college and universities to shield themselves from liability for the actions of users that infringe on the copyrights of others. Any use of the Williamson network, computers, technology equipment, email system, or websites to illegally transfer copyrighted material including, but not limited to, software, text, images, audio and video is strictly prohibited and will lead to serious consequences, including disciplinary action, suspension, and possible lawsuits resulting in substantial financial penalties.
Williamson’s Provost’s office receives and investigates to resolution all reports of alleged copyright infringement.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act specifies that all infringement claims must be in writing (either on paper or electronic mail) and must include the following elements:
- A physical or electronic signature
- Description of the work claimed to be infringed
- Description of the allegedly infringing work and the location on the Williamson network
- Contact information for the complaining party
- A statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner or law
- A statement that the information contained in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner
For more information on United States copyright laws, see The US Copyright Office.
Credit Hours
All programs at Williamson College of the Trades require full-time attendance for three school years. There are two academic semesters each year, and the normal attendance schedule is 39 hours per week. The college’s trade/technical programs require 116 credits on average. Lecture (academic) classes meet approximately the same number of hours each week as the credits they are assigned. Applied education and shop (technical) courses meet approximately two to three times the number of hours each week as the credits they are assigned.
Dean’s List
Employment Statistics
Graduating Class of | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 5-year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graduates (In 3-4 years) | 73 | 62 | 67 | 66 | 84 | 352 |
Further Education/Military | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
Available for Employment | 73 | 61 | 64 | 65 | 82 | 345 |
Employed in Related Field | 62 | 54 | 63 | 58 | 74 | 311 |
Employed in Unrelated Field | 8 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 23 |
Unemployed/Unknown | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 11 |
Employment % (Related) | 85% | 89% | 98% | 89% | 90% | 90% |
Employment % (Related and Unrelated) | 96% | 95% | 98% | 98% | 96% | 97% |
Why the Trades?
For young men who love working with their hands and directly seeing their accomplishments, a position in the trades offers a gratifying pathway to a long career. A high-quality trade education can propel students to achieving a bright future.
Grading System
Grade Point Requirements
The college has established the following cumulative grade point average (GPA) standards:
At the end of: | GPA | At the end of: | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
1st semester | 1.5 | 4th semester | 2.0 |
2nd semester | 1.7 | 5th semester | 2.0 |
3rd semester | 1.9 | 6th semester | 2.0 |
If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below the standard, he will be required to meet or exceed the cumulative GPA standard for all ensuing semesters at the college. Failure to do so will result in enrollment termination. If a student fails to meet the college’s cumulative GPA standard in the last semester of his senior year, he cannot graduate from the college. Please reference Williamson’s Student Academic Progress Policy on this page for additional information.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify as a candidate for the Associate in Specialized Technology degree, a student must have satisfactorily completed a program of study as described in the college catalog and must conclude his studies with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. In order to complete a program successfully, students must complete all the credit requirements of that program. Students have a maximum time of three years at Williamson to complete their program requirements; in rare cases approved by the college administration, students may be authorized to take a leave of absence for a semester or year, completing the entire program in four years.
Graduation Rates
Enrollment Cohort Start Year (3-Year Graduating Class of) | 2017 2020 | 2018 2021 | 2019 2022 | 2020 2023 | 2021 2024 | 5-year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman Start | 101 | 99 | 95 | 98 | 100 | 493 |
| Graduated in 3 years | 73 | 62 | 65 | 65 | 83 | 348 |
| Graduated in 4 years | 73 | 62 | 67 | 66 | 84 | 352 |
| % Graduated in 3 years | 72% | 63% | 68% | 66% | 83% | 71% |
| % Graduated in 4 years | 72% | 63% | 71% | 67% | 84% | 71% |
Retention Rates
Retention rates for the past five years allowing for 150% time-to-completion and accreditation reporting guidelines:
Freshman to Junior
Enrollment Cohort Start Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 5-year TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Freshman Start | 98 | 100 | 124 | 124 | 124 | 570 |
Junior Start | 80 | 87 | 106 | 101 | 107 | 481 |
Retention % | 82% | 87% | 85% | 81% | 86% | 84% |
Junior to Senior
Enrollment Cohort Start Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 5-year TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Junior Start | 86 | 80 | 87 | 106 | 101 | 460 |
Senior Start | 68 | 66 | 86 | 96 | 97 | 413 |
Retention % | 79% | 83% | 99% | 91% | 96% | 90% |
Senior to Graduation
Enrollment Cohort Start Year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 5-year TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Senior Start | 70 | 68 | 66 | 86 | 96 | 386 |
Graduation (3-year) | 62 | 65 | 65 | 83 | 96 | 371 |
Retention % | 89% | 96% | 98% | 97% | 100% | 96% |
Scholarship Cancellation and Appeal
A student will have his Williamson Scholarship cancelled if he does not meet the minimum cumulative grade point average, fails three non-trade courses over his three-year program, or fails either a trade theory or trade skills course. Any appeal of scholarship cancellation or request for readmission must be submitted to the vice president of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer, who will arrange a review by the Scholastic Standards Committee, composed of the vice president of Academic Affairs, the registrar, and the director of the student’s trade program. The committee may confirm the scholarship cancellation/disenrollment or allow continuation of enrollment with specified conditions.
Student Academic Progress Policy
A student’s academic progress is reviewed each term by the Office of Academic Affairs and Office of Financial Aid. Student academic progress is measured both by cumulative grade point average and by term course grades. Williamson’s Student Academic Progress Policy is described in the College Catalog, available electronically on the college’s website or student management system (Blackbaud) portal.
Student Attendance Policy
Student attendance is taken at multiple times throughout the standard academic day with a daily evening accountability check Sunday through Thursday evenings while the college is in session. Additional information regarding the student attendance policy can be found in the College Catalog or Student Handbook.
Student Diversity
Williamson welcomes a diverse group of students to our campus. For information on student diversity, including the breakdown of self-identified members of specific racial and ethnic groups, and federal Pell Grant recipients, click on the link below.
Students with Disabilities - Student Accessibility Services
The Office of Academic Affairs coordinates with faculty, staff, and administration to assist students with a qualified disability in meeting their academic goals. Within the bounds of our resources and in support of program curriculum requirements, Williamson will provide reasonable accommodations to meet the challenges and needs of students with a qualified disability.
Students can request an academic accommodation pertaining to learning, psychological, and/or physical disabilities at the time of their acceptance to Williamson or any time thereafter. The accommodation request must be made by the student in writing, either hardcopy or electronically, to the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Requests from others (such as family, guardians, or teachers) are not permitted. Please note that other forms of contact such as phone calls or disclosures to other college staff or faculty are not recognized as requests for accommodations. Students are responsible for submitting appropriate documentation supporting their accommodation requests. Please allow sufficient time for administrative processing of the request.
Accommodation requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Accommodations are tailored to the individual student’s unique need and the college’s capability to support the accommodation.
Documentation Requirements
All documentation in support of a requested accommodation should be reflective of the current, functional impact of the condition or impairment. Additionally, updated documentation may be requested, in some circumstances, where documentation is outdated or when ongoing treatment is being provided. Students should also include any Individual Education Plan (IEP) generated by other schools if available. Please note providing documentation is the responsibility of the student and not the college.
Williamson does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, national origin, religion, sex or disability in the administration of its educational, admission, or scholarship policies.
Additional Resources
To learn more about learning disabilities and higher education, consult the following resources:
- LD online is a website with information for students with learning disabilities
- Learning Ally, readings for the blind and dyslexic
- The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights has information about the rights and responsibilities for students with disabilities
Transfer of Credit Policy
Given the cohort structure of Williamson’s degree programs, the college does not generally accept transfer credits from other institutions. Transfer credits to fulfill specific course requirements are approved on a case-by-case basis through the Office of Academic Affairs.
Transcripts
Students and alumni may request official copies of their transcripts by submitting a signed Transcript Request Form to the registrar. To have the transcript sent to a third party, the request must include proper forwarding directions. Requests by phone will not be honored.
