Examinations
Final examinations are required and are held at the end of each semester or summer term in accordance with the schedule issued by the Registrar. When final examinations are inappropriate because of the nature of the course, exceptions to this requirement may be made upon approval of the appropriate division dean.
Grading System
Degree of attainment of course objectives is indicated by letter grades and quality points. A quality-point-to-semester-hour ratio of 2.0 (i.e., a “C” average) in the courses of the degree program pursued is required for graduation. The number of semester hours of credit offered for each course is included with the course description listed in another section of this catalog.
Final grades are reported for each student for every course undertaken according to the following grading system.
| Letter Grade |
Description |
Quality Points Per Credit Hour |
A
B
C
D
F
W
I
P
AU
*
YA-YC |
Outstanding
Above average
Average
Passing, below average
Failing
Withdrawn
Incomplete
Pass
Audit
Grade not submitted
Passing, but competency level not reached |
4
3
2
1
0
Not computed
Not computed
Not computed
Not computed
Not computed
Not computed |
Quality points earned for each course are determined by multiplying the number of quality points for each grade by the number of credit hours the course carries. A student’s grade point average is computed by adding the total quality points for all courses for which quality point values may be computed, then dividing by the corresponding number of credit hours attempted during the same period. The grade of pass “P” will be awarded for nontraditional credit and non-credit courses only. Courses so credited will not be used in computing the grade point average.
A grade of incomplete (“I”) indicates that satisfactory work has been done in a course, but the student has been prevented from completing the final examination or other concluding work because of some verifiable reason. The grade of “I” may be given as a final grade only. An “I” grade will not be given unless the student contacts his or her instructor and a contract for completion of work is approved. The “I”’ grade must be removed by the time final grades are due in the Office of the Registrar the following semester (unless the “I” contract specifies an earlier deadline); otherwise, it will be automatically converted to a permanent “F”. The grade of “I” is not used in calculating grade point average. If it is not removed in the allotted time, however, it will be calculated as an “F” upon conversion. Re-enrolling in a class will not prevent an “I” from being changed to an “F”. The Repeat/Delete policy may remove an “F” from the GPA (see “Repeat/Delete Policy,” below).
A student who withdraws from a course after the official fourteenth day of class and prior to the deadline designated on the academic calendar for dropping with a “W” will receive a “W” for the course. After this date, a student may not withdraw. In extraordinary cases, the campus executive dean may authorize resignation from the institution or the dropping of a course with a “W” after the deadline. Extraordinary cases do not include dissatisfaction with an anticipated grade or the decision to change a major.
The “YA” through “YC” grades are earned only in developmental studies Reading courses. These grades indicate that the student has made progress but is not yet at competency level. The Y + grade is not used in the computation of the grade point average.
A student who believes a grade has been calculated incorrectly must appeal within one semester of earning the grade. Grade appeals must follow the procedures outlined by the Academic Appeals Committee. (See “Academic Appeals Procedures,” below.)
English Department - “C” Prerequisite
A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in his/her English course to advance to the next English course in the sequence. “D”s may still be awarded in all courses and are acceptable in all courses that will not be used as a prerequisite for another course.
ALL students who have earned a “D” are strongly advised to repeat the course.
Math Department - “C” Prerequisite
A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in his/her math course to advance to the next math course in the sequence. “D”s may still be given in all courses and are acceptable in courses that will not be used as a prerequisite for another course.
ALL students who have earned a “D” are strongly advised to repeat the course.
Reading Department - “C” Prerequisite
A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in his/her Developmental Reading course (READ 070, READ 071, READ 072, or READ 073) to exit Developmental Reading. Students with a grade of “D” or “F” must repeat the course. A grade of “YA,” “YB,” or “YC” is earned only in Developmental Reading and indicates that the student has made progress but is not yet at competency level and advances to the next level of Developmental Reading.
Repeat/Delete Policy
Students may repeat courses as many times as they choose as long as they have not taken a higher level course in the same area (i.e., a student may not retake MATH 118 after completing MATH 130).
Prior to Fall 2012, the last grade earned was the only grade calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA; and “R” was added to the right of the deleted grade. A student lost any credit earned by an earlier grade if the last grade was an “F.” The original grade plus the “R” remained on the student’s academic record. A “W” did not delete a prior grade.
Effective Fall 2012, an “E” is added next to the deleted course under the “R” column header on the transcript. A student will lose any credit earned by an earlier grade if the last grade is an “F.” The original grade plus the “E” remain on the student’s academic record. A “W” does not delete a prior grade.
Students who took a course for the first time at Delgado between fall 1984 and spring 1992 and then repeated the course must apply to have the first grade deleted from their cumulative grade point average. Forms for such requests are available in the Registrar’s Office on each campus.
Students should be aware that four-year colleges and universities and many professional programs may not honor Delgado’s Repeat/Delete policy. Such institutions generally compute all grades in the cumulative grade point average.
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