Grading Policy

The Institute uses a system of letter grades that are equivalent to numerical "quality points" according to the table below:

Each faculty member or teaching team is responsible for developing criteria for grading. These criteria shall be published, distributed to students at the beginning of the semester, and made available for review.

Semester and Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

Quality points represent the course credit multiplied by the numerical value of the letter grade received. The semester GPA is calculated by dividing the number of quality points earned in that semester by the number of credits attempted and graded in that semester. The cumulative GPA is obtained by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credits attempted and graded.

Satisfactory Academic Progress/ Academic Standing

All students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 each semester. Failure to do so will result in a written academic warning issued by the appropriate Program Director. Students who receive a written academic warning must regain a cumulative 3.0 GPA within the following semester or they will be subject to termination and loss of federal student loan eligibility.

If a student is not able to regain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and appeals the denial of financial aid, the Financial Aid Director and the Program Director will jointly determine on a case-by-case basis the student's eligibility for federal financial aid during any extended probationary period.

In addition to the GPA, the student must meet all degree requirements by the time he or she has earned one and one-half times the credits required by the program for degree completion. The Financial Aid Director and Program Director will jointly review cumulative credits and determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether the student is eligible for federal financial aid after the completion of one-and-one-half times the credits required for the program.

Any student who is denied financial aid for failure to make satisfactory progress may appeal the denial in writing. The Financial Aid Director and Program Director will review the appeal.

Time Limits for Completion of a Program

Each program determines the number of years allowable for completion of program requirements. The student's program committee will review and act on petitions from students requesting extensions beyond the deadline established by each program.

Pass/Fail Option

Certain courses are offered for Pass/Fail grading with a Pass grade equivalent to an A, B, or C. A student may select the Pass/Fail option on the registration form. Students wishing to change a graded course to the Pass/Fail option must complete the Pass/Fail form and submit it to the Registrar by the Pass/Fail deadline. Each program determines the number of Pass/Fail options that a student may exercise.

Incompletes

A student who does not complete all requirements for a course may arrange with the instructor(s) for a temporary grade of incomplete. Students must complete all course requirements to change an incomplete grade according to the timeline agreed upon by the instructor(s), not to exceed two calendar years from the date of the request. If a student does not complete the required work within the stipulated time period, the grade will automatically change to a "Fail".  Permission from the instructor(s) will be required for extension of time for completion.

Course Repeat

A student may elect to repeat a course only once.

Grade Change Policy

All grades with the exception of the grade of "I", or "PR" are considered final. Students who believe an error has been made in calculating or recording a course grade should contact the course professor. A grade will be changed only via grade change notification form signed by the instructor or program director. No grades will be changed following the awarding of the degree except in the case of clerical error.

Process For Challenging a Final Course Grade

This section sets forth the sole process by which a student may challenge a final course grade. To initiate the process, students who wish to dispute a final course grade must bring written notification of their concerns to the course instructor, the Program Director, or their faculty advisor within ten days from receipt of the grade. The written notification must include a description of how the student's performance satisfied course requirements as outlined in the published course syllabi. The following steps are included in the process:

• A copy of the written notification of concerns will be sent to each of the following individuals: the course instructor, the Program Director, and faculty advisor.
• It is highly recommended that the student and the faculty member meet first to try to resolve the dispute, and it is the student's responsibility to make efforts to set up a meeting to address the written concerns with the faculty member. At any such meetings between the student and faculty member, the faculty member will keep written documentation of the efforts to resolve the dispute.
• If the student and faculty member cannot come to agreement, then a meeting will be held with the student, the faculty member, and either the Associate Director of the Program, the Director of the Program, or the Provost based on availability. This administrative faculty representative shall attempt to reconcile the matter and will act as recorder at the meeting in order to provide a written record of the process.
• Final disposition of grading will rest with the faculty of record.