Grading Scale

The following grading scale is adopted for use in all courses.

Grade	Equivalent	Quality Points	Grade Scale
A	Excellent	4.00	90-100
B	Good	3.00	80-89
C	Fair	2.00	70-79
F	Fail	0.00	0-69
W	Student-Initiated Withdrawal	0.00
AW	Administrative Withdrawal	0.00
I	Incomplete	0.00

Grading Criterias

A = Excellent

The student demonstrates an advanced knowledge of all the content and skills presented in the course and uses professional or personal experience to contribute to class knowledge in a unique and insightful manner. The student has excellent writing skills and participates actively in all aspects of the learning process.

B = Good

The student demonstrates knowledge of most of the content and skills presented in the course and often uses relevant professional or personal experience to contribute to class knowledge. The student has very good writing skills and participates frequently in the online classroom.

C = Fair

The student demonstrates enough knowledge of the content and skills presented in the course and applies relevant professional or personal experience to class topics. The quality and quantity of work presented by the student on course assignments in participation forums are acceptable.

F = Fail

The quality and quantity of work presented by the student on course assignments in participation forums are unacceptable.

W = Withdrawal

Students receive a grade of “W” if they officially withdraw from the course prior to completing the course, regardless of whether they were determined to be passing or failing the course by the faculty member, at the time of withdrawal. The grade is not calculated in the GPA and the course credits are not assigned for course work ending in a withdrawal. Course withdrawals are included in the student academic record and transcripts.

AW = Administrative Withdrawal

Administrative Withdrawal refers to a student course withdrawal which is initiated by the school for reasons such as: failure to participate, not meeting a course prerequisite, academic conduct issues, etc. Administrative Withdrawal, which occurs after a course has already started, leads to a grade of AW entered on the student’s academic record. The AW grade has no effect on the student’s academic GPA.

I = Incomplete

Students may request an Incomplete (grade of I) status by submitting an Incomplete form, signed, and agreed to between the students and the course instructor. Approval of Incomplete status is at the discretion of the instructor. Students have 4 weeks to complete all course work after being assigned a grade of I. Failure to complete all course work results in the students earning the grade based on the coursework completed. A grade of “I” is not entered into the GPA calculation or the student academic record, but the grade earned after the completion of the extension period is entered into both GPA calculation and the student academic record.

A student may challenge a final course grade if there is clear and credible evidence of arbitrary or unprofessional grading. Individual assignment grades shall be handled between the student and the faculty member for the course. The following policies and procedures apply to all grade challenges:

1. If a student believes that the final course grade is the result of an arbitrary or unprofessional grading by the course instructor, the student may dispute the grade in writing with the instructor within 7 calendar days of the final grade being posted. A copy of the communication shall be preserved in the course messaging system.

2. If a satisfactory solution cannot be found, the student may submit a Grade Challenge form to the Program Director or designee within 21 days of the final grade posting date.

3. The Program Director or designee makes the final determination after reviewing all related documentation and consulting with both the student and the faculty member.s

4. The student will be notified, in writing, of the decision within 7 calendar days of the decision being issued by the Program Director or designee.