Grades and Academic Status

Scholastic Honors

Full-time students who earn a 3.50 or above semester grade point average in 12 or more semester hours of credit and part-time students who earn at least a 3.50 GPA for each cumulative 12 credit hours will be named to the Dean's List.  Developmental courses, pass/fail courses, transfer credits, and courses in which incomplete grades were received do not count toward the credit hours.  Summer term is excluded.

The Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees will be granted with the following designations to candidates of superior academic achievement: Cumulative GPA of at least 3.50-3.74 - Honors; cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.99 - High Honors; and cumulative GPA of 4.0 - Highest Honors.  Indication of scholastic honors at the commencement ceremony will be based on the previous fall semester cumulative GPA.  

Transcripts and Grade Reports

Grading System

Grading symbols and points they earn are listed below. Some symbols are not grades but designations of administrative action regarding course work.

Student Academic Progress

Because the college wants each student to have successful learning experiences, students are expected to fully participate in instructional activities.

Instructors will assess your progress in completing course objectives. Academic progress will be measured during the term and throughout your enrollment. The college academic progress policy establishes specific standards that must be met by all persons enrolled in credit courses at the college.

Students placed on academic warning or probation are required to meet with a college counselor before enrolling in the next semester and will be limited to 12 semester hours. Students who are on suspension may appeal their academic status to an academic counselor. If a student has already enrolled for more than 12 credit hours and is placed on warning or probation after enrolling, he/she will be required to meet with a counselor and will be limited to 12 credit hours for the semester following the semester he/she was placed on warning. If a student in this situation does not speak to a counselor and drop his/her load to 12 credit hours, then an administrative drop will be done to limit the student's credit hours to 12.

Students experiencing academic difficulty are required to meet with a counselor to discuss the cause of academic difficulty and to determine the best course of action for the student to follow to improve his/her academic performance.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Academic Warning - A student is placed on academic warning when his/her grade point average falls below satisfactory academic progress for the first time.

Academic Probation -A student is placed on academic probation the second time his/her grade point average falls below satisfactory academic progress.

Academic Suspension -A student is placed on academic suspension the third time his/her grade point average falls below satisfactory academic progress. The student will not be allowed to register for classes for the semester after being placed on suspension.

Academic Dismissal -A student will be dismissed if he or she does not attain a grade point average of 2.0 on credit hours enrolled in during the semester after returning from academic suspension. A student earning a 2.0 or greater grade point average each semester after returning will be considered making satisfactory academic progress. Failure to maintain a 2.0 grade point average in any given semester after being suspended will result in academic dismissal.

If a student returns from suspension and brings his/her cumulative GPA up to a 2.25, the student will be placed on a less restrictive status.  This status will allow the student to register without the mandatory meeting with the Director of Student Development.  Students can continue to self-advise and register as long as their cumulative GPA remains above 2.0  If the cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, the student will be dismissed.

NOTE:  Students with concerns about grades should, whenever possible, first approach the instructor for clarification/resolution.  Concerns about final grades must be expressed by the end of the next regular semester.  If, after contacting the instructor, you still have concerns, you should address them to the appropriate program coordinator and/or department chair who will work with you and the instructor to resolve the matter.  If the department is unable to remedy the situation, you should address your concerns to the division dean.  If resolution still is not achieved, you may then appeal in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs, Social Sciences Building Room 2110.  Anonymous calls or unsigned letters will not be acknowledged.  Only concerns expressed by the individual student involved will be addressed.  

Academic Reinstatement - Students who have been academically dismissed from SCC may apply to the Vice President for Student Services for consideration of academic reinstatement.  To be considered, students must: wait for a minimum of one semester (summer session excluded) after having been academically dismissed from the college, submit a letter indicating the reasons why they should be considered for reinstatement, and be interviewed by the vice president.  Consideration for reinstatement may be based on an evaluation of life changes and circumstances that would merit reinstatement or an official transcript from another college or university indicating that the student has been academically successful since being dismissed from SCC.  For a detailed list of procedures to apply for academic reinstatement, see the Office of the Vice President for Student Services.

Disciplinary Suspension

Suspension from the college may be deemed necessary for reasons other than academic ones. College policy on disciplinary proceedings and student conduct code is addressed in the Student Handbook.

For more information, call 636-922-8273.