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Withdrawn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
Since fall 1984, a student has been allowed to repeat a course in which he or she has previously enrolled at Delgado. (The course must have been taken for the first time in Fall 1984 or thereafter at Delgado Community College.) In this case, an “R” is added beside the first grade, and the first grade is not computed in the grade point average. The last grade received becomes the official grade for the course and is the grade computed in the grade point average. 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.
Effective fall 1995, a student may delete a maximum of 15 credit hours of course work numbered above 099 from the Delgado Community College cumulative grade point average by repeating courses. For all courses repeated after the 15 hour maximum is reached, grades for all attempts will be included in the cumulative GPA. The last grade will continue to be the official grade. There is no limit to the repeat/delete for courses numbered below 100.
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