Seattle Community Colleges • College Catalog

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Progress and Grades

Student Progress

Students are expected to make satisfactory academic progress while enrolled at the Seattle Community Colleges. Academic progress is defined in terms of a student’s grade point average (GPA) and how much time a student takes to complete a degree or certificate program. Time is a function of credits or clock hours attempted and earned. Students who do not demonstrate satisfactory academic progress may be subject to corrective actions.

Attendance Policy

Students may not attend any class unless they have officially registered, paid fees and received a valid receipt from the college cashier. MORE>

Minimum Grade Point Average

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. Students who do not meet this standard may be subject to corrective actions.

Credits Earned/Credits Attempted

Students enrolled in degree or certificate programs must, on a quarterly basis, successfully complete at least 75 percent of the credits or clock hours attempted when they reach a minimum of 30 attempted credits or equivalent clock hours. Students who do not achieve this completion rate may be subject to corrective actions.

Degree/Certificate Completion

Students who are enrolled in degree or certificate programs must complete their programs in a timely manner: within at least 125 percent of the time allotted to the credit/clock hour program requirements. Students who do not meet this standard may be subject to corrective actions.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a degree within the Seattle Community College District, a student must complete at least 90 credits and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. At least 15 credits must be earned at the Seattle Community College granting the degree.

Graduation Process

Students nearing graduation must review graduation requirements with an advisor. After it is determined that the student will complete the coursework required, it is the student's responsibility to apply for the award. Applications are available in the Registration Office, Advising Office and division offices. Upon approval, the award will be issued. (Students must refer to their program of study for requirements on specific certificates and degrees.)

Students apply to graduate during the quarter prior to the one in which the award requirements will be completed.

Transfer-In Credits and Graduation: Students must apply to have their transfer credits evaluated no later than one quarter prior to applying for graduation.

SPECIAL NOTE: With approval of the dean, students may elect to graduate either under the catalog in effect at the time they complete the graduation requirements or under the provisions of an earlier official catalog, provided that (a) not more than five years have elapsed since the student first enrolled under that earlier catalog and (b) that the courses required for completion are still offered. The dean may make suitable substitutions in cases where courses are no longer offered.

Students are advised that if they graduate under an earlier catalog some current transfer requirements of four-year institutions may not be satisfied. Students are advised to contact the transfer institution for current requirements. MORE >

Academic Recognition

Students are recognized for outstanding academic achievements by making the Dean's List or President's List at the college they are currently attending.

DEAN'S LIST: Students must have 10 or more credits per quarter at the college they are currently attending and a 3.5 quarterly GPA.

PRESIDENT'S LIST: Students must have accumulated 30 or more credits at the college they are currently attending and have a 3.8 or higher cumulative GPA.

Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society

Phi Theta Kappa International Academic Honor Society recognizes outstanding students who have achieved academic excellence at two-year public and private colleges. Phi Theta Kappa offers students the chance to serve their campus and community while developing leadership skills. In addition to these benefits, Phi Theta Kappa members have access to scholarship opportunities which are not available to non-members. Each of the Seattle Community Colleges has a Phi Theta Kappa chapter and offers membership to students whose academic work meets the organization's standards. MORE >

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GRADES and CREDITS

Standard Grading System

The Seattle Community Colleges use a numerical grading system. Numerical grades may be considered equivalent to letter grades as follows:

Letter Grade	Numeric Grade	Letter Grade	Numeric Grade
A	4.0 - 3.9	C	2.1 - 1.9
A –	3.8 - 3.5	C –	1.8 - 1.5
B +	3.4 - 3.2	D +	1.4 - 1.2
B	3.1 - 2.9	D	1.1 - 1.0
B –	2.8 - 2.5	F	0.0
C +	2.4 - 2.2

Many programs and individual course sequences require a minimum of a 2.0 grade in order to pursue additional courses or studies. Be sure to know the specific requirements for your courses, program or college-transfer major. Consult with your advisor or counselor.

Grade-point average (GPA) is determined by dividing total points earned by total credit hours attempted.

Non-traditional Grading Options

The letter grades listed below may also be used. These grading options are not as universally accepted as the above numerical system and a student's total academic record may be reduced by the number of credit hours received for non-traditional grades if evaluated by another institution with a numerical system. Students may jeopardize future educational opportunities, particularly for graduate or post-baccalaureate study, when other systems of performance evaluation are used. Certain non-traditional grades may also jeopardize financial aid status. MORE >

I — Incomplete. Indicates that the student performed at a passing level, completed most of the course requirements, and intends to make up the missing work. An Incomplete is given only at the discretion of the instructor when the student has attended regularly, done satisfactory work, and furnished satisfactory proof to the instructor that the work cannot be completed because of illness or other circumstances beyond the student's control. Coursework must be completed during the following quarter, excluding summer quarter. If the student fails to remove the "I" by completing the coursework in the specified time period, the "I" will remain on the transcript. The instructor must file a written statement of reasons for giving the Incomplete, listing a description of the work which the student will need to do to remove it, with the dean of the division in which the course is offered. If the student elects to repeat a course rather than make up the work, the "I" will remain on the transcript. The grade earned will compute in the GPA; after receiving an "I" in a course, a student may repeat that course only once. MORE >

S — Satisfactory With Credit. Used for individual progress, clinical, and skill development courses. This symbol is not used for college transfer courses numbered 100 and above, except designated pass/fail courses as approved by the Office of Instruction. MORE >

N — Audit. To audit a course means to register for and attend class without receiving a grade or credit. An "N" grade, rather than credit, is recorded on the transcript. Students must officially register to audit a course. Registration for an "N" may be made until the end of the second week of the quarter without the instructor's signature or the end of the eighth week (sixth week of summer quarter) with the instructor's approval and signature. Students are responsible for consulting with the instructor regarding class requirements. After an "N" is issued, the course may be repeated no more than one (1) more time. If the instructor's requirements for an "N" are not satisfied by the student during the course, the instructor may issue an "NC" (No Credit) symbol.
Students changing their status from audit to credit or credit to audit must make official changes within specific deadlines. MORE >

NC — No Credit. Indicates that the student did not fulfill the requirements for receiving an "S" grade, an "N" grade or a numerical grade in the course. A student in good standing may request an "NC" symbol from the instructor prior to the final examination, granted at the instructor's discretion. After an "NC" is issued, the course may be repeated no more than one (1) more time. An "NC" does not affect a student's GPA. MORE >

W — Official Withdrawal. This grade will be recorded and will remain on the student's transcript. After a "W" is issued, the course may be repeated no more than one (1) more time. (See "Dropping Classes".) MORE >

Y — Ongoing Course. Used for a course that is two or more quarters in length. The final grade for the course will be reported at the last quarter. MORE >

Repeating a Course

There are two situations in which a student may repeat a course. Both the initial course and repeated course must be taken at the same campus.

GPA Improvement. A credit course may be taken no more than two times total. Upon successful completion of a repeated course, the student can submit a formal request to the Registration office to have the highest grade used in the GPA computation. Unless specifically requested, the first grade and the repeat grade will be averaged.

NOTE: The student will be credited only once for the class. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Registration Office when the repeated course is completed.
Multi-quarter continuous training courses use the same course number from quarter to quarter. In this situation credits earned are cumulative, and all grades are used to determine the GPA.

NOTE: Students planning to transfer to four-year institutions should be aware that many four-year institutions have strict policies on course repeats. We recommend checking with the Advising Office before repeating a class to determine potential course transfer difficulties.

MORE >

Grade Errors or Changes

Report grade errors or grade changes immediately to the Registration Office. Grade errors reported after two consecutive quarters may not be changed. Students are encouraged to consult with their instructors before initiating a grade review process as outlined in the complaint procedure available through the Vice President for Student Services' Office at each college.

After a course grade has been assigned, supplemental or additional class work will not be accepted for the purpose of changing that grade except in the case of an "I" (Incomplete) grade.

NOTE: Students must complete the coursework as directed by the instructor during the following quarter (excluding summer quarter). MORE >

Transfer-In Credits

An Incoming Academic Transcript Evaluation application may be submitted as soon as application to a specific program in the college is made and transcripts from other institutions are received. Students will be sent a copy of their evaluated coursework.

Also see Reciprocity Agreement for College Transfer Programs.

Credit by Examination

Colleges may award credit by examination to a student not formally enrolled in a class by requiring the student to pass a comprehensive examination on the subject matter of the courses.

Students must have completed a minimum of 9 residence credits with a grade of 2.0 or better before applying for credit by examination. Credits earned by examination shall be graded and each division or department will determine the minimum grade standards for granting credit by examination.

The charge for taking an examination will be in addition to the tuition and fees paid for regular college enrollment. The charge may vary, but shall not exceed the standard resident tuition and operating fee charged for the number of credits earned, excluding the services and activity fee.

Credits earned by examination will be noted as such on the transcript. Credits by examination (as well as credits by experiential learning) may not exceed 25% of the necessary credits for a degree or certification. Credits earned by examination are not considered residence credits. MORE >

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Transcripts

Official, sealed transcripts are required by other institutions when students transfer. Official transcripts (a copy of a student's permanent academic record) must be requested in writing from the Registration Office of the college where the classes were taken. Cost is $4.20 per copy and requires two working days for processing. In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, grade transcripts will be released only upon written request.

Students can get an unofficial transcript at no cost, via Student Online Services at the college website. Transcripts will not be released if students have not fulfilled all financial obligations to the college.

GED transcripts (copy of test scores) must be requested in writing from the campus Testing Office, and include the student's social security number and signature. There is a $4.40 charge per copy.

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