Grade Explanation
Students are assigned grades based upon evaluations of their work. Grades are given at the end of each semester and are based on criteria listed on an individual instructor’s syllabus, but generally include quizzes, tests, projects, papers and participation.
|
Letter Grade |
Numerical Grade |
Numerical Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| A | 93.33 - 100 |
4.0 |
| A- | 90 - 93.32 |
3.7 |
| B+ | 86.67 - 89.99 | 3.3 |
| B | 83.33 - 86.66 |
3.0 |
| B- | 80 - 83.32 |
2.7 |
| C+ |
76.67 - 79.99 |
2.3 |
| C |
73.33 - 76.66 |
2.0 |
| C- |
70 - 73.32 |
1.7 |
| D+ |
66.67 - 69.99 |
1.3 |
| D |
63.33 - 66.66 |
1.0 |
| D- |
60 - 63.32 |
0.7 |
| F |
below 60 |
0.0 |
| AF | Administrative Failure |
0.0 |
| AU | Audit |
0.0 |
| CS | Continuing Study |
0.0 |
| I | Incomplete |
0.0 |
| NP | No Pass |
0.0 |
| P | Pass |
0.0 |
| W | Withdraw |
0.0 |
| WF | Withdraw/Fail |
0.0 |
| WP | Withdraw/Pass | 0.0 |
Explanation of Grades: (AF, AU, CS, I, NP, P, W, WF, WP)
AF - Administrative Failure: In accordance with policy stated in the Student Handbook, as well as the Academic Catalog, an instructor or administrator may initiate a student’s withdrawal at any time for reasons other than poor grade performance: e.g., failure to meet attendance requirements as published in the instructor’s syllabus, violation of the Student Code of Conduct, disruptive behavior, etc. The grade may also be issued if a student registered in a clinic, practicum, internship or lab is deemed unsafe or performing in an unsatisfactory manner as determined by an evaluation by a faculty member/agency supervisor in accordance with department criteria and procedure. AF is calculated in the GPA as an “F.”
AU - Audit: A course taken as an audit does not earn credit and cannot be used to meet graduation requirements. Admission is by permission of the instructor and the Registrar’s Office. Not all courses can be taken for audit. See Auditing Courses.
CS - Continuing Study: This grade allows a student to re-register for a developmental course if competencies have not been met by the end of the course. It is intended for students who have demonstrated progress and a commitment to succeeding in the course, but who need more time to achieve competencies. The CS grade does not affect the student’s GPA.
I - Incomplete: An Incomplete grade indicates that a student has completed the vast majority of the work in the course but has not completed a major course assignment due to extraordinary circumstances, such as serious illness, death in the family, etc.
It is not used to give an extension of time for a student delinquent in meeting course responsibilities. The ‘I’ grade is not calculated into the GPA. However, all work must be completed by the end of the third week of the subsequent semester or the grade defaults to an “F”. See Incomplete Grades.
NP - No Pass: Unsatisfactory work; not calculated into the GPA.
P - Pass: Not calculated into the GPA.
W - Withdrawal: Student-initiated withdrawal from a course at any time prior to the drop deadline (60% of the course). Does not affect GPA.
WP - Withdraw/Pass: Student-initiated withdrawal from a course after the drop deadline (60% of the course) when the student has a passing grade at time of drop, as determined by the instructor. Does not affect GPA.
WF - Withdraw/Fail: Student-initiated withdrawal from a course after the drop deadline (60% of the course) when the student has a failing grade at time of drop, as determined by the instructor. The WF grade is calculated in the GPA as an “F.”
Auditing Courses
Under the Audit policy, students may enroll in courses which provide an opportunity to learn more about the challenges of college work, explore a discipline of interest, refresh prior learning, or supplement existing knowledge. Typically, a student attends lectures, seminars and/or lab, but does not complete graded assignments. When enrolled as an audit, the student will not be given a final grade nor will credit toward graduation be given for the course (the academic transcript will reflect AU for the course). Students must pay full tuition for the course. Financial Aid does not cover costs for an audited course.
Not all courses can be taken for audit and entry into a course, as an auditing student is by permission of the instructor. A student must register as an audit during the first week of classes. Once admitted as an audit, the student may not change to credit status; likewise, a student registered for credit may not change to audit status.
Change of Program
Students wishing to change their major should submit a Change of Major Form. Credit will be transferred only for those courses that apply to the new program. Some programs with limited enrollment may not be available.
Incomplete Grades
An Incomplete Grade (I) indicates that a student has completed the vast majority of the work in the course but has not completed a major course assignment due to extraordinary circumstances, such as serious illness, death in the family, etc.
It is not used to give an extension of time for a student delinquent in meeting course responsibilities. The ‘I’ grade is not calculated into the GPA. However, all work must be completed by the end of the third week of the subsequent semester or the grade defaults to an “F”.
The grade is applied only in those instances where the student has a reasonable chance of passing. It is not used to give an extension of time for a student delinquent in meeting course responsibilities.
When a student requests an incomplete, the faculty member must determine if the situation complies with the policy (above) and if so, work with the student to complete the Incomplete Contract Form. The faculty member obtains the signature of the department chair for final approval and then submits the form to the Registrar’s Office. The Incomplete Contract Form will be maintained in the Registrar’s Office until the student has completed the requirements for the course. Once requirements have been completed by the student, the instructor must file a Grade Change Form with the Registrar’s Office. Students must complete all remaining requirements necessary to earn credit for the course by the end of the 3rd week of the following semester. Otherwise, the incomplete grade will automatically become an “F”.
All Incompletes must have the approval of the Department Chairperson.
The work must be completed by the student through formal arrangement with the instructor no later than:
- The end of the third week in the spring semester for a grade issued in the fall semester;
- The end of the third week in the fall semester for a grade issued in the summer term;
- Three weeks from the earliest start date of the summer term for a grade issued in the spring semester.
Should the student fail to complete the work within the designated period, the grade will automatically become an “F”. Exceptions to the above deadlines may be made by the Vice President of Academic Affairs or his/her designee. “I” grades will not be included in the computation of the Grade Point Average. An “I” grade may affect a student’s financial aid. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.
Grade Appeal Procedure
Students have until the conclusion of the next semester to bring forward their grade appeal and must begin with their faculty member. Manchester Community College faculty have the responsibility of using professional judgment to determine the quality of student work and academic performance. Students who believe a valid basis exists for appealing a final grade will avail themselves of the following procedure and at each step in the process will supply their request in writing along with supporting documentation.
Step 1. Student Contacts Faculty
The student shall contact the faculty member and schedule a meeting to discuss the grade appeal and attempt to resolve the conflict. The faculty member and student shall meet within the next five (5) work days after the initial contact. The faculty member issues his/her decision to the student in writing within five (5) days from this time.
Step 2. Student Contacts Department Chair
If the issue is not resolved in Step I above, the student has three (3) work days from the date of the instructor’s decision to file a written appeal with the instructor’s Department Chair. Within three (3) work days, the Department Chair will mediate the dispute either through discussion with the instructor, or with the student in the company of the faculty member with the Chair issuing his/her decision to the student in writing within five (5) days from this time.
Step 3. Student Contacts Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA)
If the issue is not resolved in Step 2 above, the student has three (3) work days from the date of the Department Chair’s decision to file a written appeal with the VPAA. The VPAA will meet with all parties concerned to attempt to resolve the dispute. The VPAA will have three (3) work days from the last meeting to render a decision on the grade appeal. The decision of the VPAA is final.
Note: During the summer, when faculty are not on campus, students may begin the grade appeal process in the Office of Academic Affairs. Every attempt will be made to have the faculty member contact and meet with the student within the specified time. On occasion, however, these times may need to be adjusted.
Academic Warning
The instructor may give a student an academic warning at any time if the student is failing or in danger of failing a course.
Grade Changes
Grade changes will only be allowed until the end of the semester following the assignment of the original grade.
Course Repeat
For purposes of calculating the cumulative GPA (CGPA), when a student repeats a course at the same CCSNH institution, the grade achieved in the most recent course will be the grade used in the CGPA calculation. All previous grades will remain on the transcript but not used in the calculation. Therefore, courses repeated at a CCSNH college or at any college other than where the original course was taken will NOT be used in the calculation of the GPA/CGPA, but may be used as transfer as appropriate.
A student may take a course twice. If a student wishes to take a course for a third time, it will require the written approval of the student’s academic advisor, the appropriate department chair/program coordinator and the Office of Academic Affairs.
Credit Hour Guidelines
A credit hour shall be the equivalent of one (1) hour of work per week for a 16- week semester. A semester credit hour shall be comprised of the following:
- Class
- Clinicals
- Internships
- Laboratory
- Co-ops
A credit hour shall be allocated by the following:
|
Contact hours per week |
Contact hours per semester (based on min. 15 wk. semester) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 | 15 |
| Laboratory | 2 or 3 | 30-45 |
| Clinical | 3 to 5 | 45-75 |
| Practicum, Fieldwork | 3 | 45 |
| Internship | 3 to 6 | 45-90 |
| Co-op | Variable by Dept. | Variable by Dept. |
One instructional hour shall be equal to fifty (50) minutes.
Grade Point Averages
Scholastic standing at the end of each semester is determined via the grade point average (GPA), computed by dividing total semester points (grade equivalent multiplied by credit hours) by total credits attempted.
The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is determined at the end of the second and subsequent semesters by dividing cumulative points by the total credit hours attempted, taking into account all previous work completed. Refer to the online Student Handbook for additional information pertaining to calculating or determining GPAs and CGPAs.