Pine Technical College
Policy and Procedure
Policy Number: 209 REV 3 Date: 06/18/01 Revision Date:
3/24/03, 12/15/03, 4/27/06
Division/Department: Academic Affairs Author: Hamid Y. Eydgahi
Revision Authors: Phil Schroeder, Wolfgang Rothen, Kathy Arola
3rd Revision: Mary Jo Mettler, Nancy Mach, Kathy Arola, Rita Youngbauer
Subject: Grade and Credit System
Authorities:
MNSCU Policy III.02.06; 3.15, 3.15.1
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to outline a process where student learning is
documented by means of letter grade. Each grade carries “quality points” which
are used in computing a student’s cumulative “grade point average” (GPA).
Academic achievement, which reflects competency, are recorded in letter grades
at the end of each semester or summer term for all course work for which credit
is granted. The credit hours attempted and quality points attained are entered
into the computation of a student’s cumulative grade point average. This policy
also defines notations found on the student transcript and procedures to clarify
processes.
Policy:
The marking system in tabular form, which may include grade
shades (plus and minus) as needed, is as follows:
A – Superior Achievement – 4 Grade Points
B – Above Average Achievement – 3 Grade Points
C – Average Achievement – 2 Grade Points
D – Below Average Achievement – 1 Grade Point
F – Inadequate Achievement – 0 Grade Point
Note: The quality points for purposes of computing GPA is as follows:
Grade Points
A = 4.00
A- = 3.67
B+ = 3.33
B = 3.00
B- = 2.67
C+ = 2.33
C = 2.00
C- = 1.67
D+ = 1.33
D = 1.00
D- = 0.66
F = 0.00
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) - A student’s GPA is the quotient obtained
by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of
semester credit hours attempted. The GPA is computed at the end of each semester
and is reported with the grades to the student. All grades A through F are
utilized in determining the student’s grade point average. Note: Courses
transferring from other institutions are not computed in the GPA. (Some programs
include transfer credits in major GPA calculations.)
NC – No Credit: The grade may only be assigned to courses numbered 99-level and
below and to Competency-Based Education courses.
P – Pass: The grade of ‘P’ is issued for work that is judged average (C) or
above. Suitable for transfer, it is not computed in GPA, but counts toward
credit completion.
NP – No Pass: the grade of no pass is given for a non-passing grade in a credit
or non-credit course or for test-out. Unlike a grade of F, NP is not calculated
into the GPA.
I – Incomplete: The grade of incomplete ‘I’ is assigned at the discretion of the
instructor only in exceptional circumstances and is a temporary grade. An ‘I’
grade is recorded as an ‘F’ grade (or ‘NC’ in the case of courses numbered below
100) by the Registrar at the end of the eight week of the next term (not
including summer session) if requirements have not been satisfactorily met.
AU – Audit: The notation of ‘AU’ is given for a credit course in which the
student elects to take the course without credit. Audit courses do not apply
toward GPA, credit completion and/or graduation requirements. Audit enrollment
is dependent on available seats and instructor’s approval.
W –Withdrawal from a course must be declared after the fifth day of the
semester, but not later than the 67% point of the class. Under special
circumstances, the college may withdraw a student from a course. This action
will take place no later than the deadline for student initiated withdrawal and
the student will be notified of the action. A ‘W’ is recorded for the grade on
the student’s permanent record and is not computed in the GPA but factors into
credit completion.
Z– In-Progress: The notation of ‘Z’ denotes a course in progress. The instructor
submits the appropriate letter grades for each ‘Z’ upon completion of the
course.
R – Repeat: The notation of ‘R’ is added to a standard letter grade for a credit
course retaken. The course grades remain on the transcript with the grade
calculations suspended for the previous grade(s), thus it is not be computed in
the GPA. Any course may be repeated and no limit is placed on the number of
times a course may be repeated. However, for financial aid purposes, courses
with grades of ‘D,’ ‘F’ or ‘W’ are eligible for only one repeat and Credit by
Examination or Experiential Credit.
CR – Credit by Examination: The grade ‘CR’ is given for a credit course in which
a student satisfies the course requirements through testing based on standard
class assessments. Not all courses are eligible for Credit by Examination.
Availability of this option is determined by the instructor. The grade of ‘CR’
is not computed in the GPA. See policy 228.
EX – Experiential and Non-Academic Learning Credit: The grade of ‘EX’ is given
for credit courses in which a student satisfies the course requirements through
documentation of prior learning. Not all courses are eligible for Experiential
Learning Credit. Availability of this option is determined by the instructor.
The grade of ‘EX’ is not computed in the GPA or credit completion ratio. See
policy 217R.
Procedures:
Submitting Grades:
All grades of ‘A – F’ and ‘I’ must be submitted by the course
instructor to the Registrar by 11:00 p.m. on the Monday following the scheduled
end-date of the course, including Fall, Spring and Summer Terms.
Transfer Credits:
1. Transfer credits are listed on the transcript separately, by term, indicating
the college, university, or other acceptable higher education institution from
which credits were earned. Credits from non-accredited colleges or universities
will not be accepted for transfer.
2. Students must submit a completed Transfer Credit Request form to the
Registrar (or designee) to initiate the evaluation of transfer credits.
3. Courses with a grade of C or greater are considered for transfer. Other
grades are considered if the cumulative GPA is 2.5 or higher from the
originating institution.
4. Transfer credits are not calculated into the PTC Grade Point Average.
‘I’ or Incomplete grade:
1. Student must request an ‘I’ grade using the form provided by the instructor
or advisor.
2. If the instructor for the class supports the need for an incomplete grade,
then the student and the instructor develops a written statement of how the
course requirements will be met by the student during the permissible timeframe.
3. Instructors assigning an ‘I’ grade submits a copy of the written statement to
the Registrar and a copy to the student.
4. The Registrar records the grade. If no grade is submitted by the end of the
8th week of the semester, it is recorded as an ‘F’.
Experiential Credit:
See Policy 217R.
Credit by Examination:
See Policy 228.
Repeat Courses:
1. Repeat courses are recalculated for all students by the Registrar, at the end
of the term.
2. After processing, the previous course grade(s) will not be included in the
GPA but remains on the transcript and counts in the credit completion ratio.
3. The last grade of the repeated course(s) is computed in the GPA.
Audit:
1. Student must request an Audit prior to the fifth day of the semester using
the forms from the Registrar.
2. Student is responsible for the full tuition and fees for the course.
3. An Audit is not included in the GPA, or in credits completed.
Responsibilities:
It is the responsibility of the faculty and Registrar to insure an orderly and
expeditious process for implementation of this policy. It is the responsibility
of the Registrar to perform grade conversions to Pine Technical College's
marking system for international students' entrance and transfer requirements.
Dissemination:
Employee Handbook, Student Handbook, PTC Catalog, Website and Intranet.
Review:
Reviewed by Leadership Team: 6/18/01, 3/24/03, 5/7/03, 12/15/03, 5/1/06
Reviewed by Faculty Senate: 09/12/01, 4/9/03, 5/7/03, 1/16/04
Revision reviewed by Leadership Team: 5/01/06
Revision reviewed by Faculty Shared Governance: 9/27/06
Approved:_______________________________________Date: 9/27/06
Robert L. Musgrove, Ph.D., President