Grading System

The grading system uses a series of letters, to which are assigned grade-point values.

The system is based neither on an absolute numerical system nor on a distribution curve, but on the following descriptions:

  • A: represents exceptionally high achievement.
    • It is valued at four grade points for each credit hour in non-remedial and non-developmental courses.
  • B: represents high achievement.
    • It is valued at three grade points for each credit hour in non-remedial and non-developmental courses.
  • C: represents satisfactory achievement.
    • It is valued at two grade points for each credit hour in non-remedial and non-developmental courses.
  • D: represents the minimum achievement for credit.
    • It is valued at one grade point for each credit hour in non-remedial and non-developmental courses.
  • E: represents unsatisfactory achievement and indicates failure in the course.
    • It is valued at zero credit hours and zero grade points in non-remedial and non-developmental courses.
    • Credit may be obtained by repeating the entire course.
  • F: represents unsatisfactory achievement in a course taken on a Pass-Fail basis.
    • It has no value in computing the grade point average.
    • Credit may only be obtained by repeating the entire course.
    • This grade may be used for developmental courses.
  • AU (Audit): has no value in computing grade-point average.
    • A student who has been admitted to the college may elect to enroll in a course(s) as an auditor, except in selective admissions programs.
    • Auditing courses in a selective admissions program requires admission to the program and availability of space in the courses.
    • With few exceptions, any change from audit to credit by a student fully admitted to a college must be accomplished by the last date to enter a class and any change from credit to audit must be made by mid-term of the semester or session in which the student is enrolled.
    • An audited class may be taken for credit at a later date.
    • Anyone who desires to audit a class must be admitted to the college and officially registered for the course.
  • I: means that part of the work of the course remains unfinished.
    • It shall be given only when there is a reasonable possibility that a passing grade will result from completion of the work.
    • The instructor and student will discuss the requirements for completion of course with the time limit for completion not to exceed a maximum of one year; failure to do so will result in an automatic change of grade from I to E.
    • Each college shall maintain a record of incomplete grades recorded in courses of that college.
    • This record, completed by the instructor at the time the I grade is reported, shall include: (1) the name and number of the student, (2) the course number and hours of credit, (3) semester or session and year of enrollment, (4) signature of the instructor, (5) a brief statement of the reason(s) for recording the incomplete grade, and (6) an adequate guide for removal of the incomplete grade.
    • In the instructor’s absence, the division chairperson (or designee), shall forward to the college president (or designee) the appropriate letter grade to replace the incomplete grade.
  • W: represents a withdrawal from class without completing course requirements.
    • A student may officially withdraw from any class up to and including the date of mid-term with a W grade.
    • After the date of midterm and through the last class of the semester or session, any student may officially request to withdraw from a course and receive a W which may be given at the discretion of the instructor.
    • Each instructor shall state on the first or second class meeting the factors to be used in determining if a student will be allowed to withdraw during the discretionary period.
    • An instructor shall not assign a student a W for a class unless the student has officially withdrawn from that class in a manner prescribed by the college.
    • The grade of W may be assigned by the College Appeals Board in cases involving a violation of student academic rights or for academic offenses.
  • P: represents a satisfactory grade in a course taken on a Pass-Fail basis.
    • The student who receives a P in a course shall be eligible to continue into the next sequential course(s).
    • The grade of P may be assigned by the College Appeals Board in cases involving a violation of student academic rights.
    • It has no value in computing the grade point average.
    • This grade may be used for developmental courses.
  • MP: represents Making Progress and may be assigned only for developmental courses and means that the student has made significant progress but needs and deserves more time to achieve a passing grade.
    • The student should re-enroll in the course in order to continue advancement to the level of competence set for the course.
    • Grades may be earned following re-enrollment for developmental courses.
    • The grade of MP has no value in computing grade point average.