Grades

Grade Options and Policies:

Grade Options

Calculate GPA
Repeat Grade / Grade Forgiveness Policy
Grade Changes

Mid-Term Grade Reports

Final Grade Reports

Unless designated as a Pass/No Pass class, all instructors will use the following grading options for the end-of-term grades:

To calculate grade point average (GPA), total grade points are divided by the total credits applicable, including all "F" grades.

Repeat Grade/Grade Forgiveness Policy
Courses in music or theater performance, studio art, Cooperative Work Experience and HHP activity classes may be repeated for credit. The grades and credits for such courses will be recorded on the transcript and totaled cumulatively. In some cases, there may be a limit to the number of total credits allowed from those courses when used toward a certificate or degree.

Students may choose to repeat other courses. The original course and grade will remain on the transcript, with an "R" indicating it is later repeated. The original course grade will not be counted in that term's GPA or the cumulative GPA. A student may repeat a course as many times as s/he wishes; however, only the original/first course's grade will be excluded from the term and cumulative GPA and only the most recent course will be used towards graduation requirements. There is no limit to the number of courses a student may repeat. If students wish to use the grade repeat/grade forgiveness policy for music or theater performance, studio art, Cooperative Work Experience and HHP activity classes, they must complete a Student Petition and submit it to the Admissions & Records Office; the course repeat/grade forgiveness policy will automatically happen for all other coursework.

The following illustrate this policy:

Student take course ABC 123 twice

Student take course ABC 123 four times

Note: This option is available beginning Fall 2006. A student must be a student under a catalog in which this policy was in place in order to take advantage of the repeat grade policy (e.g., a former student cannot ask to have a grade change unless s/he enrolls in Fall 2006 or later).

Students who wish a change of grade to or from I, W or X must submit a petition directly to Enrollment Services. Requests for grade changes are considered only within one year of the grade being awarded.

Mid-Term Grade Reports   
Midway through each term, instructors have the option to file grades of "D" and "F" or "NP" for those students whose performance indicates it, including those who are not regularly attending class. It is entirely the instructor’s discretion to submit or not submit a midterm grade report. If an instructor submits a midterm grade, the student will be sent an email at his/her college email address.  Students must take responsibility for withdrawing if they do not wish to continue in a class.

Final Grade Reports  

End of term grades will be available on the Thursday following the end of each term. Grades are available online only and can be accessed via the student's Bobcat Web Account.

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Dean's List

Student enrolled in 12 or more graded credits who receives a term GPA of 3.60 or higher will have a "Dean's List" notation on their official transcript each term that the GPA is earned.  The Dean's List will also be published in the local newspaper each term (note:  if you do not want your name released, please contact the Admissions and Records Office in Boyle Education Center).

Graduation Honor Roll

Honors will be listed on the transcripts of COCC graduates based on the following cumulative GPA:

3.60 – 3.74        Honors
3.75 – 3.89        High Honors
3.90 – 4.0          Highest Honors

Graduates participating in commencement ceremonies will receive honor cords.  Graduates with a 4.00 will have an asterisk by their name in the annual commencement program.

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Academic Warning 
Students are considered to be in good academic standing if they earn a 2.0 GPA or higher each term.  Students who do not meet this requirement receive an academic warning.  All students on academic warning will be sent an email at his/her college email address specific to their situation the day after grades are processed.  Note that once on academic warning, the student cannot change to non-degree status until they reach good academic standing again.

Academic warning descriptions and requirements are as follows:

First Academic Warning:  When a certificate or degree-seeking student earns below a 2.0 term GPA, s/he is placed on first academic warning.  At this stage, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their advisor in order to better plan their academic goals and course schedule.

Second Academic Warning:  When a certificate or degree-seeking student earns below a 2.0 term GPA for two consecutive terms, s/he is placed on second academic warning. Students are required to meet with their advisor and complete the Second Academic Warning Worksheet .  When the worksheet is completed, the advisor and student each keep a copy.   The student should bring a copy of this worksheet to Enrollment Services (Boyle Education Center) and submit it to any registration staff no later than 5 p.m. on Monday of the second week of the term.  Staff will clear the student's academic status and register the student at that time.  If a student is pre-registered and does not submit a Second Academic Warning Worksheet, their registration will be voided and a full refund issued.

Third Academic Warning:   When students earn less than a 2.0 term GPA for three consecutive terms, they are placed on third academic warning. In order to attend classes, students must complete the Academic Reinstatement Petition with their advisor and submit it to Enrollment Services no later than 5 p.m. on Monday of the second week of the term. The Academic Reinstatement Committee will review completed petitions no later than Wednesday of that week.  Students should continue to attend classes until petition decisions are made.

The Committee has three options:

• Approve a student petition as is: Students continue attending classes, following the requirements of the petition. If students fail to follow the academic plan or requirements, they may be voided from classes and their petition is considered "denied."
• Approve a student petition with revisions: The Reinstatement Committee may choose to change certain elements of the student's plan (e.g. lower credit load, require personal counseling, change course levels).  If students fail to follow the revised academic plan or requirements, they may be voided from classes and their petition is considered "denied."
• Deny a student petition: If denied, students will not be allowed to continue or register for classes; any current registrations will be voided and a full-tuition/fee refund will be issued. (Bookstore expenses may not be refunded.)  Students may petition for reinstatement the following term or cease to attend classes for one calendar year. After one year, students may re-enroll and begin classes as if no academic warnings existed (grades on students' transcripts remain the same).

Note: All students on third academic warning are required to participate in an activity (or activities) specifically chosen to address the reason they received three academic warnings. Depending on circumstances, this could be attending a study skills class or workshop; meeting with a personal counselor to talk about time management, stress management, depression or other personal situations; attending a career counseling workshop or class; or other options recommended by the advisor. If students do not follow through with this activity or activities, they will be dropped from that term's classes. Financial aid recipients will need to pay back a prorated amount of their funding (see the Financial Aid withdrawal penalty policy).

If students are preregistered and fail to complete the petition, their registrations will be voided and a full-tuition refund issued, except books.

Fourth Academic Warning:  When students earn below a 2.0 term GPA for four consecutive terms, they receive a fourth academic warning and are blocked from all registration in credit classes for one calendar year. After one year passes, students may re-enroll and start their academic record as if no academic warnings existed. The students' transcripts, however, will remain the same. 

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