SWGTC Grading System Policy

Each student's academic progress, conduct, and attitude are continuously appraised. At the end of each semester, the achievement of each student is reported using the following system of grade assignment:

Traditional Grade Assignments
Letter	G.P.A.	Score	Description
A	4	90 – 100	Excellent
B	3	80 – 89	Good
C	2	70 – 79	Average
D	1	60 – 69	Below Average
F	0	0 - 59	Failure

	Status Grade Assignments
	Letter	Description
	I	Incomplete
	IP	In Progress
	W	Withdrew
	WF	Withdrew Failing
	AU	Audit – no credit earned
	EX	Credit by exemption
	TR	Transfer Credit
	AC	Articulated Credit

A grade of "I" (incomplete) may be issued to any student not completing all required course work by the end of the semester. If the incomplete (I) is not removed by the tenth school day of the next semester, it will be recorded as a failure (F) on the official transcript of the student. Under extenuating circumstances, a student may submit a Request for Extended Incomplete Grade form. Depending on the circumstances, an extension may be granted. If a student received a grade of “I” in a course which is a prerequisite to other courses, a final grade must be earned in order to determine eligibility for the other course(s).

A grade of “IP” (in progress) may be issued to any student whose course is not complete by the end of the term. This grade designation is intended for self-paced courses that may begin at any point during the term and for courses that are scheduled to end after the standard end of term. Course work should be complete by the end of the following term. If a student receives a grade of “IP” in a course which is a prerequisite to other courses, a final grade must be earned in order to determine eligibility for the other course(s).

A grade of "W" indicates the student withdrew from school on or prior to midterm.

A grade of “WF” indicates the student withdrew from school after midterm. A grade of “WF” will be calculated in the GPA as an “F”.

A grade of "AU" indicates the student audited the course. A student is permitted to audit a course/program and attend classes without meeting all admission requirements for the course/program and without receiving credit.

Grades are based upon quality and quantity of achievement in both the classroom and the laboratory. Students failing to maintain a standard of satisfactory progress will be withdrawn from Southwest Georgia Technical College.

Satisfactory Academic Standing
Students must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be in satisfactory academic standing. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation for the next academic semester. The semester GPA must be 2.0 or above at the end of the probationary quarter to maintain satisfactory status. Failure to maintain satisfactory status during a probationary semester will result in dismissal. A student dismissed due to academic deficiency may reapply for admission after waiting one (1) full semester. Upon readmission, the student must make a 2.0 or above each semester to maintain satisfactory standing or will be dismissed.

Any student dismissed from a program for the second time due to academic deficiency cannot reapply to that program but may apply for another program in another department. Students who enroll in a second or subsequent program will have their quality points and credits earned in one program transferred to the new program for all certificate, diploma, or degree credit classes.

Overall GPA must be 2.0 or better before graduation can occur. Graduation grade point average is calculated only on those courses required for graduation. When a course is taken more than once, the final attempt will be used in calculating the grade point average for graduation.

Work Ethic
The Technical College System of Georgia instructs and evaluates students on work ethics in all programs of study. Ten work ethics traits have been identified and defined as essential for student success: appearance, attendance, attitude, character, communication, cooperation, organizational skills, productivity, respect, and teamwork. To ensure that all graduates have successfully completed the necessary Work Ethics coursework, students are required to complete the WKET 1000 course and a WKET 2000 level Work Ethics course prior to graduation. WKET 1000 will be offered in conjunction with an entry level occupational course appropriate for their program and must be completed in order to progress. WKET 2000 level courses are offered in conjunction with a capstone occupational course appropriate for their program and must be completed in order to graduate. The work ethic grade does not affect GPA but may affect employment opportunities. All official transcripts contain the following statement regarding the Work Ethics program: An emphasis, instruction, and assessment on Work Ethics Traits are included in every program of study. These traits include: appearance, attendance, attitude, character, communication, cooperation, organizational skills, productivity, respect, and teamwork.

School of Health Sciences Academic Requirements
To fulfill the academic requirements of all programs in the School of Health Sciences, a minimum grade of "C" is required for progress from specified courses to more advanced courses. The grading system of all programs in the School of Health Sciences establishes passing grades that document student achievement of course competencies at levels acceptable for job entry. Students not attaining the minimum grades references above will be required to repeat the course(s) and achieve the minimums prior to continuing in the curriculum.

Students preparing to enter (taking courses) for a diploma or associate degree program in the School of Health Sciences must successfully complete with a grade of “C” or higher all ALHS, science and math courses within five (5) years and all prerequisites within two attempts. All academic history within the last five (5) years, whether on campus or as a transfer student, will be considered when evaluating the number of attempts. Anyone failing to meet this criteria will be counseled to apply to a program that does not require the failed ALHS or prerequisite(s). Any student accepted into a program in the School of Health Sciences who fails to attain a minimum grade of “C” in any occupational course will be required to repeat the course. Any student admitted to a program in the School of Health Sciences who fails to attain a minimum grade of “C” in an occupational course in two separate courses will be withdrawn from the program and will not be allowed to re-apply to that program in the School of Health Sciences. Two block failures in Practical Nursing prevents readmission to the Practical Nursing program at SWGTC. (One Block Failure equals failure in both a PNSG didactic course and its matching PNSG clinical course.) This policy is inclusive of all transfer students also attempting readmission after a clinical failure at any other college. However, the student may apply to another program in the School of Health Sciences. A student returning for a second attempt in an Allied Health program will be admitted based on seat availability and meeting competitive admissions requirements. Please be aware that programs in the School of Health Sciences may have additional requirements or constraints placed upon them by accrediting or licensing agencies. Students will be made aware of any additional requirements or constraints by program faculty.

School of Health Sciences Dismissal due to Critical Incident / Sentinel Event

Any student dismissed from a program in the School of Health Sciences due to a critical incident / sentinel event will not be allowed to enter any other program in the School of Health Sciences. Students dismissed in this manner will receive counseling for a career field outside of the School of Health Sciences. Students will be provided the definition of Critical Incident / Sentinel Event prior to starting clinical rotations by the Program Faculty.

School of Health Sciences Clinical Demerit System
Students enrolled in select programs in the School of Health Sciences at Southwest Georgia Technical College will be subject to the following additional academic policies while in any clinical affiliate.

Assignment of Demerits

Instructors are provided the discretion to assign one to three demerits for the following behavior, with an increase in the assigned demerits for repeated offenses:

failure to notify instructor/supervisor of absence or extended tardy
failure to comply with uniform code (each department's uniform code will differ)
performance of previously acquired competencies at less than acceptable standards
(as indicated by competency check-offs)
unprofessional conduct

Gross Misbehavior, including carelessness regarding patient care or equipment use, may prompt a committee review for the assignment of three or more demerits. The committee review may consist of the following individuals: Program Faculty, Program Clinical Adjuncts, the Dean for Academic Affairs, and a Representative from the Clinical Affiliate where the Gross Misbehavior occurred.

Dismissal due to Demerits

An accumulation of nine (9) or more demerits will result in automatic dismissal from the program. Any action that results in the assignment of three (3) or more demerits will result in the loss of one (1) letter grade in the respective course. Demerits assigned to students are cumulative through the length of the program (being retained from semester to semester)

Automotive Technology Demerit System

Students enrolled in the Automotive Technology Program at Southwest Georgia Technical College will be subject to a demerit system. The following infractions will result in the listed number of demerits being earned. The following list is not inclusive as other violations may be unique to the situation or may qualify as unprofessional behavior. Demerits will be subtracted from the final average for the course(s) during which the demerits were earned.

♦	Failure to call in when absent/late	2
♦	Failure to bring books, tools, supplies	2
♦	Vehicle, equipment, college facilities abuse	2
♦	Failure to complete clean-up assignment	3
♦	Failure to store equipment/tools	3
♦	Unprofessional behavior	5
♦	Failure to complete lab activity	5
♦	Use of college computers not related to automotive studies	10
♦	Safety violation	10

Responsibility
The Vice President for Academic Affairs has the overall responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented.

Reference

General Program Standards 02-05-06; 02-06-01; 02-07-01; 02-07-02

Revised: 08-06-96; 12-05-00; 03-04-03; 02-01-05; 11-27-07; 07-05-11; 04-03-12