Grading System
The following grading system is used in all courses by Nash Community College. On student transcripts a “P,” “S,” or “R” grade denotes that the course is not calculated into the current academic grade point average (GPA). Additionally, any course grade with an “*” beside it (ex. C*) has been excluded from GPA calculations. Zero-numbered courses are not included in the academic GPA, hours completed, or hours attempted.
W- Withdrawal
A grade of W denotes official withdrawal from a class after the 10% point. This grade is nonpunitive and will not affect the student’s GPA. Students may withdraw themselves from a class up until its 85% point. Faculty must administratively withdraw students after two consecutive weeks of nonattendance. Please see the Attendance and Withdrawal Policies in this catalog for more detailed information on what constitutes nonattendance, and the procedure for withdrawing from a course.
WA – Withdrawal Attendance
*Grade no longer used as of January 2017
After the 85 percent point, an instructor uses a WA during the semester when a student has absences exceeding fifteen (15) percent of the course hours. This grade is punitive and will negatively affect the student’s GPA. Faculty will record and submit the last date of attendance for all grades of W.
WE – Withdrawal Emergency
Pandemic withdrawal used in Federal and State Emergency
I – Incomplete
A grade of I denotes no grade and no quality points because of incomplete work. This grade can be given when a student has completed at least 80 percent of their course work. The student must complete the required work and remove the I by the end of the fourth week of the next semester. Otherwise, the I will be recorded as an F. An extension may be allowed by the department chair with documentation of extenuating circumstances, but may not extend past the end of the semester.
IE – Incomplete Emergency
Pandemic incomplete grade used in Federal and State emergency.
AU – Audit
An AU denotes no grade and no quality points. A student may initiate a change from credit to audit on or before the semester 85 percent point. This grade is non-punitive and will not affect the student’s GPA.
NS – Never Attended
NS denotes no grade and no quality points because the student registered but never attended before the 10 percent point of classes. This grade is not included in hours attempted in GPA calculations and is non-punitive and will not affect the student’s GPA. Late course entry is not permitted.
LA – Temporarily Late
LA is a temporary grade designation to be used by the Director of Records and Registrar when course information is not reported on time from the instructional department through no fault of the student.
CE(ZP) – Credit by Proficiency Examination
A student may earn credit-by-examination for a given course by demonstrating a required level of proficiency in meeting the established course competencies. Before being allowed to take a course by proficiency examination, a student must provide documented evidence of experience/aptitude or licensure/certification related to the course content. The student must meet all pre-requisite requirements before they are eligible to take a proficiency exam.
The College will offer Credit by Proficiency Exam consistent with procedures set forth by 1D SBCCC 800.8. Students are not eligible for credit by proficiency for a previously attempted course or a course in which they have already earned a grade. Career and College Promise
(CCP) students may participate in challenge/proficiency examinations to earn college credit but may not earn dual high school credit. CCP students must enroll in, and successfully complete, the College course to receive dual credit.
Following are the steps for a student to follow to request credit by examination:
1. Requests for credit by proficiency exam should be made at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester.
2. The student should contact the Department Chair over the course to request credit by examination and provide the Department Chair with documentation of how they have experience, aptitude, licensure, or certification related to the course content. The Department Chair will approve the examination and attest that course competencies are adequately addressed.
3. The Department Chair will contact the Curriculum Information Coordinator to schedule a special proficiency section of the course and will register the student for the course once created.
4. The student must register and pay all fees prior to scheduling and taking the proficiency examination. Federal Pell grant funds cannot be used to pay for credit by exam fees.
5. The Department Chair and student will schedule an examination between or during the first five days of the semester and no later than census for the course.
6. Credit by examination must be part of the regularly scheduled semester course offerings;
7. If the student is successful, with an equivalent grade of “C” or higher, the instructor will notify the Registrar’s office that the student has successfully challenged the course and a grade of CE will be entered in the Student Information System.
8. If the student does not achieve a grade of “C” or higher, the student must complete a drop/add form and enroll in the non-proficiency section, or drop the course subject to the refund requirements.
Hours earned by proficiency will not be counted for financial aid or VA benefits, but are allowed as part of the college residency requirement for graduation. Also, students may not use more than 30% proficiency credit in meeting the required hours for graduation or according to collaborative agreement program contracts. Students will not be allowed to attempt more than two (2) courses by proficiency examination per semester. Students will not be allowed to take an examination for credit more than once for any course. Credit by examination will be used to calculate credit toward program requirements.
T – Transfer Credit
A grade of T (Transfer Credit) denotes credit received by transfer from another institution. Only the hours of credit will be recorded.
S – Satisfactory
A grade of S (Satisfactory) denotes successful completion of a course and/or associated clinical course objectives and no quality points. The grade is not included in computing GPA. Course hours are used for determining financial aid eligibility related to credit hours attempted and satisfactory academic progress.
U – Unsatisfactory
A grade of U (Unsatisfactory) denotes unsuccessful completion of a course and/or associated clinical course objectives and has no quality points. The grade is not included in computing GPA. Course hours are used for determining financial aid eligibility related to credit hours attempted and satisfactory academic progress.
GPA Calculation
To calculate a GPA, multiply course credit hours by the quality point value of the grade in that course to determine the quality points earned for that course. Add the quality points earned and divide the sum by the total number of semester credit hours attempted. See the following example:
