Grades and Scholastic Standing
It is your responsibility to know where you stand scholastically while at Del Mar College. If you do not meet the College's minimum scholastic standard, you will be placed on scholastic probation. Failure to be removed from scholastic probation within a specified number of attempted credit hours will lead to scholastic suspension, which means you will not be eligible to enroll at Del Mar College the next regular semester. Take the time to read the scholastic policy outlined in this catalog.
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Grades on the Web
Grade Reports are not mailed to students. Students may access their grades through the Del Mar College Web site.
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Grade Point Averaging
Grade points are computed by multiplying the semester-hour value of the course by the point value of the grade received. Example: 3 semester hours with a "B" grade = 9 grade points. To determine the grade point average, add up the grade points from all courses and divide by the total semester hours attempted. Example: 15 semester hours with 30 total grade points = 2.0 average.
Since colleges differ in computing grade point averages, students should consult the catalog of the college to which they plan to transfer and determine the procedure and computation of grades and grade point averages.return to 2008-2009 Course Catalog
Unit of Credit
The semester hour, a unit of credit, means the amount of credit given for one classroom hour a week for 16 weeks or the equivalent.
Laboratory work may add a semester hour's credit to a course.return to 2008-2009 Course Catalog
Del Mar College uses a four point system of grading. Grades given upon completion of a course and the grade points per semester hour are:
| Grade Points | |
| A - Excellent (the highest achievement) | 4 |
| B - Good (above average) | 3 |
| C - Fair (average) | 2 |
| D - Poor (lowest passing grade) | 1 |
| F - Failing (no credit given) | 0 |
| P - Pass (designated courses only) | 0 |
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The Pass/Fail grade is assigned to RNSG clinical courses in the Nursing Education program and in the Court Reporting program to CRTR 2435 Accelerated Machine Shorthand (Web-based course only). Courses taken on a pass/fail basis do not earn grade points; however, failing grades will be counted in the student's grade point average.
Other courses may assign the Pass/Fail grade upon approval of the College Curriculum Committee.return to 2008-2009 Course Catalog
When a student does not complete a course because of illness or other acceptable reason, in any semester, the instructor may assign the "I" grade, signifying that the student's work is incomplete. The instructor will provide for the student and his Department Chair in writing a reason for the assignment of an "I" grade, a description of the work to satisfy course requirements, and a timeline, for the student to have completed the work and the instructor to have submitted a grade change form to the Registrar.
If the "I" grade change is not completed at the end of the subsequent full-term semester (Fall or Spring), the "I" grade will automatically change to an "F" (for failing) in college-level classes, or "R" (for repeat) in developmental classes. The "I" grade will not be computed into the grade point average. The "F" or "R" resulting from a not completed "I" may be changed after the end of the subsequent semester has lapsed only with approval of the Vice President of Instruction. A student with an "I" grade may not enroll in the same class in the next semester as a substitution for completing unfinished work on the "I" grade. However, a student may reenroll for the same course again if an "F" or "R" is earned on the "I" grade. The grade in the repeated class will become the grade of record, whether passing or failing, for the student's GPA. The "F" or "R" from the not completed "I" grade will remain on the student's transcript.
When a course is incomplete because of official withdrawal, either by the student or the teacher, the designation is a "W," which is not computed in a grade point average.
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Grade Changes
If a student requests a grade change in writing, justifying the change and the instructor agrees to change the grade, the instructor should fill out a grade-change form in the Registrar's Office and attach it to the request. Grade changes must be made within 30 days to affect scholastic standing. Students will not be allowed to appeal grades recorded on permanent records after one year from the date the grade was recorded.
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Repeated Courses
If a student repeats courses, his or her official grade is the last one made, but all grades are recorded on the transcript. Other colleges may have different policies relative to computation of grade-point averages in such circumstances.
Students who repeat a course for the third or more times may be subject to paying higher tuition and fees.
Since clinical laboratories in health science courses utilize interaction with hospital patients, failure by a student (grade of "F") due to unsafe practice in the clinical area is reason to deny readmission to a clinical course. Students earning a grade of "D" may apply for readmission to the department the following year.
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Grades in Developmental Courses
Del Mar College offers a number of courses to prepare students for college credit work. Some students have never been taught basic college readiness skills; others may have forgotten them. Developmental courses bridge the gap between where students are and where they need to be for college credit classes. Developmental courses do not count toward graduation. They are required, based on placement test scores, for students who need additional preparation in specific subjects in degree programs.
Grade of "R." In developmental courses, the "R" grade is used to indicate that the student has made some progress but is not ready for a more advanced course within the discipline. The grades of "D" and "F" are not used in developmental courses.
The student receiving the grade of "R" in a developmental course must reregister for that course or complete course requirements and make a grade of "A," "B," or "C" in order to accomplish the following:
The grade of "R" in a developmental course does not automatically convert to any other grade and is not used in computing grade point averages or academic status.
Developmental courses in which the "R" grade may be used are:
• ENGL 0305, 0306, 0307 • ESOL 0305, 0306, 0307, 0311, 0312, 0313, 0314, 0321, 0322, 0323, 0324, 0341, 0342, 0343, 0344, 0354 • FSEM 0101 • MATH 0370, 0371, 0373 • READ 0305, 0306 •
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Honors List
The Honors List is composed of the names of those students who are enrolled for and complete 6 or more semester hours of college level course work and who earn a grade point average of 3.5 or more on their semester grades. Developmental courses beginning with the number zero are not considered in Honors List calculations.
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President's Honors List
The President's Honors List is composed of the names of those students who are enrolled for and complete 6 or more semester hours of college level course work and who earn a grade point average of 4.0 on their semester grades. Developmental courses beginning with the number zero are not considered in Honors List calculations.
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Scholastic Standing
Students are obligated to know whether or not they have maintained good scholastic standing and are eligible to continue to be enrolled at the college. At the end of each semester, an evaluation is made of the student's overall grade point average to determine scholastic standing. To be in good scholastic standing at Del Mar College, the student must maintain a 2.0 overall grade point average (GPA). It is very important that students remain in good standing with the college. The grades posted on the transcript are a permanent record and will always be a part of the student's academic history. Good grades can affect the student's eligibility for admissions to a specialized program, transferability to another university or qualifications as an applicant for an employment opportunity.
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How is Scholastic Standing Assessed?
Students' grades will not begin to be evaluated for scholastic standing until they have completed 12 college credit hours. Once they have completed the first 12 hours, their scholastic standing will be evaluated after each semester of enrollment.
The first semester the student has over 12 college credit hours but less than 30 semester hours credit and does not meet the minimum GPA he/she will be placed on probation. Probation means the student can still enroll at the college but is not in good standing and should seek advising to determine a plan for successfully completing their coursework.
A student on probation who enrolls and has not earned 30 semester hours but still has not reached a minimum 2.0 overall GPA at the end of the semester, will be placed on continued probation. Continued probation means that the student can still enroll but is receiving a second warning. It is extremely important for students to seek advising.
A student who has earned 30 semester hours and is on probation or continued probation and does not make the minimum 2.0 overall GPA at the end of the semester will be placed on academic suspension. Academic suspension means that the student is not eligible to enroll at the college without making an appeal to the Office of Admissions and Registrar. Specialized programs may have additional requirements.
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Transfer Students
Students transferring from another college or university on scholastic suspension may appeal for admission by contacting the Office of Admissions and Registrar. An appeal is not required for students registering for the summer sessions only.
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Summer Sessions
Students on scholastic suspension may enroll in the summer sessions as a means of raising their GPA to meet the cumulative 2.0 minimum without having to make an appeal for admission.
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Minimum Grade Point Average
The calculation of a cumulative GPA will take into account all non-developmental college credit hours attempted at Del Mar College only. Credit hours transferred from other colleges or universities are not calculated into the grade point average. Students must have a minimum 2.0 overall GPA to be in good academic standing.
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Suspension Appeals
Students on Scholastic Suspension from Del Mar College or from any other college may complete a Suspension Appeals form at the Office of Admissions and Registrar to request permission to enroll at Del Mar College. The appeal will be based on individual merit. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the request and set an appointment to meet with the Registrar in the Office of Admissions and Registrar.
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Specialized Programs
Some specialized degree programs may require a higher grade point average to remain in the program. Please check program requirements for detailed information.
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In a wide range of occupational fields, noncredit courses provide additional training for individuals already employed in a specific occupation. This training provides the opportunity for the individual to improve performance. These classes are not intended to qualify the participants for entry into an occupation except in rare instances when the range of skills required by the occupation is limited.
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These classes are designed to help individuals take and pass the General Educational Development (GED) test. To enroll, individuals must complete a four-day, 12-hour orientation. Orientations are offered monthly, year round. The program assists graduates with transition into college.
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Continuing Education Unit (CEU)
A CEU is a reporting unit defined as a specific number of hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction. Certain selected courses carry the CEU award; and although no college credit is awarded, a student may request a transcript upon satisfactory completion, showing the number of CEUs earned. Continuing education units will not be counted toward a degree or certificate of achievement. Continuing education courses do not transfer to semester hour programs or to other colleges.
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