An F is also given when students fail to meet the required attendance standards set for the course.

CS (CONTINUED STUDY)--A grade of CS is entered on students' records when they are enrolled in developmental courses but cannot complete the course work during the semester. These students should register for the course(s) during the next semester. Hours in any courses in which students receive a grade of CS will not be counted in computing their grade point average for that semester. (Back)

I (INCOMPLETE)--A temporary grade of I is entered on students' records at the discretion of the instructor for incomplete course work provided the attendance requirement has been met. A grade of I is calculated into the overall grade point average in the same manner as an F. Once the I grade is satisfactorily removed, the quality points for the grade earned are added to the previous total and the grade point average is recalculated. If the necessary work required for a passing grade is not completed during the following semester (whether students are enrolled or not), the I will automatically revert to an F. Students should not register for a course in which they have received an I until the I has officially been changed to an F or a passing grade. (See policy on repeating of courses.) Incomplete course forms are sent to students who receive I's at the end of the semester, and it is the students' responsibility to contact the appropriate instructors and make the necessary arrangements to remove an I. (Back)

WE (WITHDREW EARLY)--A WE is entered on students' records when they officially withdraw during the first 30 percent of the semester. A grade of WE does not count as hours attempted or hours earned. (Back)

W (WITHDRAWAL)--A W is entered on students' records when they officially withdraw between the 30 percent point and the end of the eleventh week of the 16-week semester or its equivalent during an abbreviated semester. (See Academic Calendar for specific dates.) Withdrawals beyond the end of the eleventh week may be allowed if extenuating circumstances are approved through the Hearing Committee. Withdrawals must be initiated by students who complete the necessary withdrawal forms. A grade of W does not count as hours attempted or hours earned. (Back)

NA (NEVER ATTENDED)--A grade of NA is entered on students' records who registered but never attended classes. This grade is not included in hours attempted in GPA calculations. (Back)

X (CREDIT BY EXAM)--The grade preceded by an X (example: XA) is entered on students' records if they complete a course through proficiency examination with a grade of C or better. No more than one-half of the required credits for a degree, diploma, or certificate may be earned through credit by exam. (Back)

AU (AUDIT)--A grade of AU is entered on students' records when they audit a course. Auditors do not receive credit; and even though it is not required, they are encouraged to attend classes regularly, participate in class discussions, and take all examinations. Tuition for auditors is the same as that for credit students. The decision to register as an auditor or for credit must be made by the end of the withdrawal period as published in the Academic Calendar. Audited hours cannot be used in calculating the amount of financial aid (Pell Grants, DVA, etc.) students receive. Students may not audit a course more than two times. (Back)

T (TRANSFER)--A T is entered on students' records when credit is given for course work transferred from another institution, CLEP, or advanced placement. (Back)

Credit by examination may be allowed for a given course if students can demonstrate the required level of proficiency as a result of independent study and/or experience. Students who desire to earn credit by examination may do so during the first 10 days of classes during each semester. Those who wish to add another course after earning credit by examination must do so during the first five class days of the semester. To earn credit by exam, students must register for the course, pay the required fees, and then successfully pass the necessary proficiency test with a grade of C or better. The graded exam and the official approval form, properly signed, must be submitted immediately to the Student Services Office. If students make below a C on a credit by examination, they must officially withdraw from the course if it is not offered that semester or if they do not wish to take the course at that time. No more than one-half of the required credits for a degree, diploma, or certificate may be earned through credit by examination. 

The transfer of credit by exam grades earned at other institutions will be decided on a course by course basis in consultation with the appropriate department chairman/instructor. Martin Community College does not guarantee transferability of credit by exam grades to any other institution. Students are urged to contact the college or university to which they intend to transfer to find out that institution's policy regarding the acceptance of credit by exam grades.

Minimum grade point averages (GPA) have been designated according to the number of hours attempted for students to remain in good academic standing with the college. Students whose grade point average drops below the required level for satisfactory progress will be notified by letter from the Student Services Office that they have been placed on academic probation. A graduated scale which is used in determining students' academic progress follows:

When the cumulative grade point average drops below the required level based on hours attempted, students will be placed on probation during the following semester of enrollment. (NOTE: Students receiving veteran's benefits will have hours transferred from other colleges calculated in hours attempted to determine the grade point average necessary to maintain satisfactory progress.) Students placed on academic probation are required to take ACA 115, Success and Study Skills, during their first semester of probation if they have not already passed the course. Also, students who are placed on academic probation will be counseled and may be encouraged to consider enrolling in a program more commensurate with their academic abilities. 

If students fail to raise their grade point average above the probation level at the end of the first semester of probation, they will be allowed to return the following semester but will be required to take a reduced course load not to exceed 9 credit hours. A reduced course load will be required of students who remain on probation for two or more consecutive semesters. Once students have raised their grade point average above the probation level, they will be permitted to register for a full course load. (NOTE: STUDENTS WHO ARE PLACED ON PROBATION FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID DURING THE SECOND SEMESTER OF PROBATION.)

Students may repeat any curriculum course for the purpose of attempting to improve their grades, and this attempt will be counted in determining the overall grade point average. No course will be counted more than once toward graduation. Students may not audit a course more than twice.  

1. If students receive a grade of B, C, D, F, or CS in a credit course, they will be permitted to repeat that course for credit. Credit hours will be counted in computing the GPA each time a course is attempted. NOTE: Veterans and eligible dependents may not repeat courses for veteran's benefits in which a grade of B, C, or D was made in order to improve their grades.

2. A course in which a grade of A has been earned may not be repeated for credit. If students do repeat courses in which a grade of A has been earned, they must audit the course and the original grade of A is the grade of record.

3. A course in which a grade of I (Incomplete) has been made shall not be repeated until the I has officially been changed.

When students decide to change programs, the procedure officially begins with a conference with either a counselor or the Dean of Student Services. Students are then instructed to have a Program Change Form signed by their old and new advisors and return the form to Student Services. Students who wish to change their first program of study to a second program of study may do so without restriction. However, students who seek to enter a third program of study must interview with a counselor and complete a career inventory, if recommended. 

All Program Change Forms should be approved by the appropriate parties and returned to Student Services prior to pre-registration/registration day of the semester in which the program change is to be effective.

The GPA will be recalculated on the basis of the following guidelines when a program is changed:

1. If students have previously made a grade of A, B, C, or D in a course which is normally considered to be a part of the new program, the students will receive full credit for that course.

2. If students made a grade of F in a course which is normally considered to be a part of the new program, the students will receive no credit for that course; but the F will be included in the new GPA calculation.

3. Courses which are not applicable to the new program will not be included in recalculating the GPA.

4. The responsibility for deciding which courses are transferable rests upon the Student Services Technician and Registrar. The advisor or department chairman may be consulted in making this decision. (Special Note to Veterans: Because of specific Veterans Administration policies regulating benefits, questions concerning program changes and the academic probation policy should be referred to the Student Services Office.)

Class attendance is considered a necessary part of the educational experience and is required in curriculum courses. For this reason, a maximum number of hours students are permitted to miss has been established at 20 percent (all fractions are rounded down) of the total contact hours of a curriculum course. Three tardies equal one hour's absence. A stricter attendance requirement, based upon the difficulty and complexity of the subject matter, may be imposed by the appropriate department chairperson and the Dean of Curriculum Programs. The following table shows the maximum number of hours students may be absent and still earn a passing grade:  

Absences will be counted beginning with the FIRST class session a curriculum course is scheduled to meet even though students may register late. 

Students who miss more than the maximum number of hours permitted will not be eligible to receive a passing grade or an I for that course. Under this policy, students have the full responsibility for any class sessions missed. The instructor determines if the work missed can be made up. However, work which is made up cannot be used to eliminate absences from a student's attendance record. Under DVA regulations, the enrollment of veterans or dependents will be terminated or adjusted once they miss more than the maximum number of hours allowed in a class during a semester. 

If an instructor fails to report for a class within 15 minutes of the scheduled beginning time and has not left instructions, those students present should sign a sheet before leaving and designate a student to submit it to the Dean of Curriculum Programs.

Under extenuating circumstances, course substitutions may be approved to fulfill graduation requirements provided the substitution is appropriate to the students' program and comparable courses are offered. Extenuating circumstances may include academic and/or physical limitations, unresolved scheduling conflicts, or if course no longer offered. 

Requests for course substitution must be approved by the Academic Advisor, Department Chairperson, and the Dean of Curriculum Programs. If a course substitution is granted, the completed Course Substitution Request Form must be submitted to the Student Services office. 

Upon receipt of a student's official transcripts from all colleges previously attended, the Student Services Technician and/or Registrar evaluate(s) courses completed and applies credit toward the program being pursued at Martin Community College. Credit is given for a C or better on applicable courses completed at regionally accredited colleges and universities. Students must complete a minimum of 25 percent of the credit hours required in their program at Martin Community College to be eligible to graduate. The number of credits which may be transferred is determined by the program in which students plan to enroll. The grade point average brought forward for students who change programs is based on the applicable courses and credit hours that are transferred into the new program. Credits transferred from other institutions will not be calculated in students' GPA at Martin Community College.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Subject Examinations and Advanced Placement (AP) Tests - The college grants credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP Subject Examinations and AP tests that are applicable to the student's program of study. Students wishing to have CLEP Subject Examinations and/or AP Tests evaluated for credit, should have official score reports sent to the Registrar. Upon receipt of the required score reports, the Registrar will review the scores earned and grant appropriate credit toward the program being pursued at Martin Community College. CLEP and AP credit will not be calculated in a student's GPA. Questions concerning score requirements and credit should be directed to the Registrar.

Credit For Military Schools - The college grants credit for military service schools that are applicable to the student's program of study in accordance with the recommendations of the American Council on Educator's Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Students wishing to have military schools evaluated for credit, should contact the Registrar to determine the required military documents. Upon receipt of the required military documents, the Registrar will evaluate the schools completed and grant appropriate credit toward the program being pursued at Martin Community College. Credit for military schools will not be calculated in a student's GPA. Questions concerning credit for military schools should be directed to the Registrar.

Full-time students are those who are taking a course load of 12 or more credit hours. A normal load for an average student will vary between 16 and 19 credit hours per semester. Students' class schedules and course loads should be carefully planned through consultation with their advisor. Students desiring to take more than 21 credit hours must obtain special permission from their advisors and the Dean of Curriculum Programs.

Developmental courses are classes designed to improve the academic knowledge, skills and performance of students who are under prepared for college level work. Students are placed in developmental courses as a result of scores earned on the college placement test. Courses with numbers below 100 (i.e. RED 099) are developmental, non-credit courses which the student is required to successfully complete. Those students placing in a developmental course are also required to complete ACA Success and Study Skills. This class introduces the student to study and personal development skills that are necessary to be successful in the college curriculum. The class is also useful in acquainting the student with the current policies, rules, and regulations of the college. 

Regularly enrolled students who are assigned to organized developmental classes to prepare them to enter regular curriculum classes shall be charged tuition for such classes at the regular tuition based on residence status. Grades for developmental courses will be computed in the student's overall grade point average but will not count toward the hours required for graduation.

Because of the large number of contact hours in some courses and the student demand for certain courses, it is not always possible to complete the graduation requirements for all programs during evening hours. In programs which do not offer all courses at night, it will be necessary for students to attend certain day classes to complete the requirements for graduation.

To qualify for the Dean's List, students must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours and earn a grade point average of 4.0 (A) in all courses taken during the semester. Grades of I (Incomplete) and CS (Continued Study) automatically disqualify students from the Dean's List.

To qualify for the Honors List, students must take a minimum of 12 credit hours and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or better with no grade below C for the semester. Grades of I (Incomplete) and CS (Continued Study) automatically disqualify students from the Honors List.

Curriculum students are scholastically eligible for graduation when they have satisfied the specific requirements of the program in which they are enrolled, have paid all required fees, and have an overall GPA of 2.0 (C) or better. Developmental courses do not count toward required hours for graduation. To be eligible to graduate from the Cosmetology Program, students must complete all the patron assignments in addition to the 1200 hours required for the one-year program or the 1500 hours required for the advanced program. 

A non-refundable $20 graduation fee is charged to all curriculum graduates with the exception of students receiving more than one certificate, diploma, or degree during a given graduation exercise. An additional $10 graduation fee will be charged for each additional certificate, diploma or degree ordered for a given graduation exercise. Candidates should apply for graduation at the beginning of their last semester of enrollment. Candidates who complete requirements at the end of the spring semester must apply for graduation by February 15. Those who complete requirements at the end of the summer semester must apply for graduation by June 1. A certificate, diploma or degree will not be ordered until candidates apply for graduation and pay the required graduation fee.

Students in continuous attendance (summer semester excepted) may graduate under the provisions of the catalog in effect on their date of entry into their current curriculum or under the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of graduation. Students not enrolled for one year must graduate under the provisions of the catalog in effect on their last date of re-entry into the curriculum or the catalog in effect at the time of graduation. Students who do a program change must graduate under the provisions of the catalog in effect on the date that their program change becomes effective or the catalog in effect at the time of graduation.

Graduates who have maintained an overall grade point average of 3.5 or better are eligible for graduation with honors. Honors graduates wear a gold cord during graduation exercises.

During each graduation exercise, special awards are presented to graduates who have distinguished themselves in the areas of service, leadership, and scholastic achievement. To be eligible for such awards, students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. Nominees must be approved by the Awards Committee before they are officially eligible to receive an award.

Program Award - Nominees must be candidates for graduation, have demonstrated academic excellence, and possess outstanding qualities in cooperation and initiative.

Distinguished Graduate Award - Nominees for this award must be candidates for graduation, have demonstrated academic excellence, possess outstanding qualities of leadership and citizenship, be of good moral character, and have demonstrated active participation in student activities and service to the college.

Degrees, diplomas, and certificates are awarded to curriculum students who have met requirements for graduation during commencement exercises held annually at the end of spring semester. Students who have earned the High School Equivalency (GED) diploma or the Adult High School diploma during the preceding year are honored at a separate ceremony usually held within the same week.

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