Academic Information

Grading Policies

Grades
Letter grades (A, B, C, D, F, L, N, S, U, W) are typically assigned. Pluses (+) and minuses (-) may be given at the discretion of the instructor.

The grades shown below are assigned point values for the purpose of calculating the Grade Point Average (GPA) and the Satisfactory Progress Index (SPI). The section on Grade Point Average explains how to use SPI.

Grade	Plus (+)		Minus (-)
A	4.0	4.0	3.7
B	3.3	3.0	2.7
C	2.3	2.0	1.7
D	1.3	1.0	0.7
F	--	0.0	--

Prior to the 1999-00, academic year differential point values (as shown above) were not assigned to plus (+) or minus (-) grades.

Point values assigned to grades prior to Fall 1999 were:

Grade
A+, A, A-	Superior	4.0
B+, B, B-	Above Average	3.0
C+, C, C-	Average	2.0
D+, D, D-	Below Average	1.0
F	Failure	0.0
N	Course Continuing	--

The grade L (given for auditing a course) and S and U (given by the Center for Developmental Education) carry no points and are not figured into the grade point average. Refer to the section on the following page, Center for Developmental Education grading policy, for more details on the S and U.

Refer to Dropping a course for the W grade, and to Auditing a course for the L grade under Planning and Managing Course Load.

Mid-semester progress reports
Faculty report mid-semester grades for students in day courses doing D, F, or U work at that time. Those students are notified by mail and are advised to see a counselor.

Incomplete course work
The mark of Incomplete (I) is given to a student if work in a class is unfinished because of illness, accident, or other unavoidable absence. To receive credit for the course, the student must complete and turn in the missing work by the last day of the semester that follows the semester in which the Incomplete was earned, regardless of whether the student is then enrolled at BCC. The student must arrange with the instructor or divisional assistant dean in the instructor's absence to make up the deficiency. The arrangements must be made during the first three weeks of the semester following receipt of the Incomplete.

Grade Point Average
Letter grades are assigned the point values discussed in the section above, Grades. The Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated as follows:

• The grade points earned for each course are calculated by multi-
  plying the point value of the grade (from the table at left) by the
  number of credits for the course. For example, a B+ (point value = 3.3) earned in a 4-credit course in Fall 1999 or later earns 13.2 grade points (3.3 points x 4 credits).
• The semester's Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by adding the grade points earned in all courses that semester, and then dividing by the total credits involved in those courses. See example below.
• The cumulative GPA is found by adding grade points so far earned in courses taken for the student's program and dividing by the total credits.

Satisfactory Progress Index
The Satisfactory Progress Index (SPI) is a measure of a student's academic progress toward a degree. The SPI is calculated in the same manner as the Grade Point Average, except that courses with grades of I, U and W are included. No grade points are earned for these courses, but they are counted in total credits attempted. The semester's SPI, therefore, is calculated by adding the grade points earned in all courses that semester and then dividing by the total credits attempted in those courses, including courses for which the student received grades of I, U and W  The cumulative SPI is calculated based on courses taken since the Fall 1994 semester.

Calculating your GPA and SPI

A student who receives these grades in 3 courses would calculate GPA and SPI as follows:

To calculate the GPA for the example given, add grade points earned
(12 + 6) and divide by credits for the courses in which they were earned
(4 +3).

To calculate the SPI for the example given, add grade points earned as above (12 + 6) but divide by credits for all classes taken (4 + 3 + 3).

Note: Grades such as W, I, and U carry no point value but will cause the SPI to be lower than the GPA.

Dean's List
The Dean's List recognizes students who achieve a semester GPA (grade point average) of 3.2 or better with a load of 12 credits or more and no grade below C.

Minimum satisfactory completion rate for financial aid:
Students receiving Federal financial assistance (Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, College Work Study, Perkins Loan, Federal Family Education Loan Program, and other financial aid programs offered by the College) must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of their degree or certificate program. Refer to financial aid regulations in the Student Handbook for more information.

Special grade requirements
Students in Occupational Therapy Assistant, Nursing, Medical Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Early Childhood Education, Phlebotomy, Healthcare Information, Clinical Laboratory Science, Complementary Healthcare, Therapeutic Massage, Histology, and Office Administration career programs must meet the special grade requirements of their programs as described in the respective program description.

Students failing to meet these requirements in subject area courses are reviewed at the end of the semester by the program director and faculty teaching the courses. The program director will make recommendations to those students regarding their future course of study and give those recommendations to the Dean of Academic Affairs, the chair of the Academic Standing Committee and the Dean of Enrollment Services.

Center for Developmental Education grading policy
To successfully complete a course in the individualized learning lab (self-paced mode), students must earn a grade of C- or better for the three-credit course. These grades are equivalent to the values discussed in the Grades section.

Those who do not complete the learning lab in one semester and who maintain satisfactory progress receive an S grade for the non-degree credit developmental course. The S grade does not apply toward a degree, and the student must re-enroll in the developmental course.

Students who do not complete a learning lab course in one academic year (two semesters) receive a U for the course and do not receive credit. For more information on the Center for Developmental Education, refer to that section in the Quest for Success program listing.

Some courses offered by CDE have additional exit requirements, including demonstration of competency on college tests. Refer to course descriptions for RDG 09, 10; ESL 22, 23, 24, 25.

Official grades
Official grades are kept by the Registrar. No grade can be changed without the written approval of the course instructor.