Grading System

Subject to the provisions listed below, a student may request to be graded on a Satisfactory (S) credit basis rather than the A, B, C, D, F system for courses in which Satisfactory (S/U) grading is allowed:

1. The decision must be made before the end of the first week of the class and agreed upon by the instructor of the course.
2. Courses which will be graded only on a satisfactory (S) credit basis will be identified as such in the class schedule.
3. The (S) credit option may not transfer to some institutions; therefore, students are urged to consult with their Student Success Coach prior to registration.
4. An (S) grade is the equivalent of a “C” or higher. A (U) grade is the equivalent of a “D” or “F” grade.
5. The grades of “S,” “U,” “I,” “W” and Audit are not calculated into the GPA.

The incomplete grade “I” is a temporary grade issued at the request of the student, with the consent of the instructor, when reasons beyond the student’s control have prevented the on-time completion of a course. The “I” grade is reserved for situations of extraordinary circumstance and will be considered only when all other options for course completion have been exhausted. A student requesting an “I” grade must meet the following criteria:

1. Communicate their request to the instructor after the last date to withdraw, as identified on the Academic Calendar.
2. Earn an overall grade of C or higher on all submitted coursework at the time of the request.

An incomplete grade is awarded at the discretion of the instructor and is confirmed via the Incomplete Contract. The Incomplete Contract will include:

1. The requirements for course completion and calculation of the final grade if no work is submitted.
2. The last date on which course work will be accepted.
3. The signatures of the instructor and the student.

All requirements of the Incomplete Contract must be completed by the expiration date agreed to by both the instructor and the student. The latest allowable expiration date for the “I” grade is the final day of the subsequent semester. If the work for the “I” grade is not completed within the time allowed, the “I” will revert to the grade earned in the course after the missing work has been calculated. An extension of time may be granted by the instructor under extraordinary circumstances.

Learn about withdrawing from a class or the college.

Students who want to enroll in a course for informational purposes only may do so by registering for audit; however, auditing may not be an option for all courses offered. Students may repeat an audited course later for credit by registering for the course and paying tuition and any applicable fees. The tuition and any fees for an audited course are the same as if the course were taken for credit. The decision to audit a course should be made at registration; however, students may elect to change to audit if the following procedure is observed:

1. For a 16-week course, students may change a course from credit to audit at any time prior to the end of the ninth week of the semester following the standard procedure for a schedule change. Changing a course from credit to audit at any time during the semester may result in a reduction in financial aid. Students should discuss their financial aid and potential impact with the Student Hub prior to changing a course from credit to audit.
2. For courses fewer than 16 weeks, including summer courses, the deadline for changing is the midpoint of the course.
3. Students may only change a course from audit to credit after the first class meeting with an instructor’s signature. Often an audit student is not expected to take examinations, complete writing assignments, or complete other course requirements. However, because of the particular nature of some courses, the instructor may require that an audit student complete writing assignments, term papers, examinations or other course requirements. Any student enrolled in a course for audit should clarify the requirements with the instructor before enrolling or on the first day of class. If there are course requirements that an audit student is unprepared or unwilling to meet, he or she may drop the course immediately subsequent to the first class period and receive a full tuition refund. An audit student who is unwilling to meet the stated course requirements and does not drop the course immediately subsequent to the first class period, may be withdrawn from the class at any time by the instructor for failing to meet stated requirements.