Catalog
Grade Information
Grade Point Average
Repeating Courses
Grading System
Grade Appeals
Dean's List
Retention Standards
Academic Probation & Suspension
Course Load
Academic Action Appeals
Course Waivers & Substitutions
Grade Point Average
The academic standing of a student is expressed in terms of a quality point average (QPA)/grade point average (GPA). When a course is completed, the number of grade points earned is determined by multiplying the credit hours earned for that course by the grade points assigned to the letter grade earned. Examples on calculating a GPA are found on the Records Department Web page.
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Repeating Courses
For the purpose of raising a grade point average, a student may only repeat a course in which the previous grade earned is "C" or lower. The Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve any exception to this before the student registers to repeat the course. When a course is attempted one or two times, only the last grade earned is used in the calculation of the student's quality/grade point average. If a student attempts a course more than twice (three attempts), the grade earned in the third and subsequent attempts will be used in calculating the QPA/GPA. The credit hours earned by repeating a course will be counted only one time in the cumulative total hours earned. In all instances, the last grade earned is used to determine whether the student meets graduation requirements.
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Grading System
The following grading system is used at Nashville State Community College:
| Grade |
|
Quality Points/Grade Points Values per Semester Credit Hour
|
| A |
Superior |
4
|
| B |
Excellent |
3
|
| C |
Average |
2
|
| D* |
Passing, but below Average |
1
|
| F |
Failure |
0
|
| WF |
Failure for non-attendance; Administratively withdrawn |
0
|
| Semester Hours Attempted |
Minimum Cumulative GPA
|
| 0 - 14 |
—
|
| 14.1 - 26 |
1.0
|
| 26.1 - 40 |
1.4
|
| 40.1 - 48 |
1.7 |
| 48.1 - 56 |
1.9 |
| 56.1 and above |
2.0 |
*This grade not used for any remedial or developmental course.
"WF" is a grading standard in which a student may be withdrawn from class by his/her instructor for non-attendance and/or violation of the instructorÕs stated attendance policy. A "WF" counts as attempted semester hours and carries zero quality points per semester hour.
The following standards will be followed in administering this grade type:
1. Students earn a "WF" grade in one or two ways (a) when a student has missed class for two consecutive weeks without contacting the instructor. The instructor must complete the appropriate form to assign a "WF" and report the non-attendance immediately to
the Records Office; (b) when a student has violated the instructor's stated attendance policy, a "WF" will be submitted to the Records Office. This grade may be assigned anytime during the semester once the student has violated a course enrollment policy and applies to both day and evening students.
2. Faculty must include a "last day of attendance" on the "WF" form before submitting it to the Records Office for processing.
Other marks which may appear on the grade report and/or transcripts are as follows:
W Withdrawal - withdrawal from course initiated by the student.
I Incomplete - The "I" indicates that the student has not completed all of the course work due to such extenuating circumstances as personal illness, death in the family, or other justifiable reasons. The "I" must be removed within four weeks from the first day of class of the following semester or a grade of "F" is entered on the permanent records. The deadlines for removal are in the Records Office and listed on Academic Calendars found in the catalog
and all printed schedules.
X Continuation - The "X" indicates the student attempted a remedial or developmental course, but progress was not sufficient to warrant a grade. It carries no connotation
of failure. It indicates the student, upon the advice of the instructor, should register for the same course and takes more time to earn a grade. The "X" grade is restricted to use in the R/D courses. An overall maximum of 15 semester hours of "X" is allowed. Veterans who are receiving educational benefits cannot be awarded an "X" grade in any course
.
AU Audit (see requirements for auditing a course elsewhere in this catalog).
Grades of "W", "I", "X", and "AU" have no grade point value and are not used in computing grade point average.
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Grade Appeals
A student who believes that an error has been made in the grade assigned for a given course has through the end of the following term in which the grade was earned to request a review of the grade in question. A student must first confer with the instructor. If the problem cannot be resolved, the student may initiate the appeal procedure. All appeals should be submitted in writing to the Dean responsible for the class in which the grade is being appealed or the Dean for Student Services.
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Dean’s List
Degree-seeking students who achieve a term QPA/GPA of at least 3.5 during any semester in which they are at least part-time (six hours) will be listed on the Dean's List based on college-level course work.
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Retention Standards
Associate Degree Programs and Technical Certificate Programs
The minimum quality/grade point average to achieve the Associate Degree or Technical Certificate is 2.0. To establish a measure of academic standing, a table of minimum retention standards has been established. The following table describes minimum cumulative grade point average required for the credit hours attempted and is designed to serve
as a guide to students who fall below the 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
| Semester Hours Attempted |
Minimum Cumulative
GPA
|
| 0-14 |
- |
| 14.1-26 |
1.0 |
| 26.1-40 |
1.4 |
| 40.1-48 |
1.7 |
| 48.1-56 |
1.9 |
| 56.1- + |
2.0 |
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Academic Probation & Suspension
Academic probation and suspension is based on the college's retention standards as described previously. The summer term is not counted as a term of suspension.
Upon returning from a suspension, the student will be on probationary status. The student will remain on probationary status until the minimum acceptable cumulative GPA is achieved. The student must receive a 2.0 term GPA or higher for each term while on probation. The student who fails to meet retention standards for a second time will be suspended for one calendar year.
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Course Load
A part-time student carries an academic load of fewer than 12 credit hours. The maximum load for a student is 21 credit hours. A full-time student carries an academic load of 12 hours or more. When a student wishes to register for more than 21 credit hours, Dean for Student Services, Division Dean, or Director of Records and Registration approval is required.
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Academic Action Appeals
A student may appeal an academic action if he/she believes extenuating circumstances or unusual hardship affected his or her ability to achieve the minimum academic standard. A written appeal must be submitted to the Director of Records and Registration 14 days prior to the official first day of class during a term. The appeal must outline the reasons for the request in addition to submitting any supporting documentation. The Academic Appeals Committee will review and make a final determination regarding the action; notification
will be sent to the student regarding the decision.
Students receiving Veterans Education benefits will not be certified to the Department of Veterans Affairs if enrollment is based on a second consecutive waiver of Academic Suspension.
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Course Waivers and Substitutions
When there is sufficient need to change a program of study outlined in the catalog for a student to be able to graduate, a course requirement waiver and/or substitution may be processed. Course waivers and/or substitutions are determined by and require approval by the academic division Dean.
The completed course waiver or substitution form must be submitted to the Records Office
for processing. All approved waivers and/or substitutions will be applied to the student's academic program of study. There is no fee for course waivers or substitutions.
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