V. Grading

A. Grading Policy

Students will be provided access to a syllabus at the beginning of the semester for every class, which will include information on how the final grade for the class will be determined.

• The instructor may use either numerical (0-100) or letter (A-F) grades for assignments during a class, but the final grade must be in letter form.
• The final grade will be determined by the instructor. Final grades must be based on how well the student meets the learning outcomes of the course. Participation may be a factor in determining grades, but the final grade cannot be based solely on attendance.

B. Grading System

Letter grades A-F each have a numeric equivalent, referred to as “quality points.” Quality points are used to determine a student’s GPA (see section C), which is then used to calculate Academic Standing (see rule VII).

Nursing courses have their own letter grades, EM-NM, that also carry quality points:

Non-credit equivalent courses are courses that may be taken to satisfy prerequisites or reinforce concepts learned in other classes, but do not count towards program requirements or GPA.

• A course is a non-credit equivalent course if the course number starts with “0” or contains an “R” (recitation).
• Except for math courses, non-credit equivalent courses are graded “S” (satisfactory) or “U” (unsatisfactory).
• Non-credit equivalent math courses are graded SA, SA-, SB+, SB, SC, or U. All grades between SA – SB indicate 80% or higher competency.

Other graded courses that do not impact the GPA include PTA clinicals and Music Convocation.

• Unlike non-credit equivalent courses, these courses may satisfy certain program requirements.
• PTA clinicals and Music Convocations are graded “CR” (credit) or “NC” (no credit).

All grades that do not carry quality points and are not factored in the GPA are listed below:

C. Grade Point Average (GPA)

The GPA is calculated by dividing the sum of the earned quality points by the sum of the attempted credit hours.

• Attempted credit hours are the number of credits a student is enrolled in at census.
• Only courses taken at OCC are used to calculate the GPA. Transfer credit and credit for prior learning do not impact the GPA.

Term GPA vs. Cumulative GPA

Both a term GPA and a cumulative GPA will be calculated after each semester.

• Term GPA is calculated using the quality points and attempted credit hours for the most recent semester only.
• Cumulative GPA uses the quality points and attempted credit hours for the student’s entire academic history at OCC.

D. Repeated Courses

While all grades and credits are recorded on the student’s transcript, students may repeat courses if they wish to improve their GPA or need a higher grade to satisfy program requirements.

• If a course is repeated, only the highest earned grade is calculated in the GPA.
• All graded attempts at the course will be displayed on the transcript.
• Only courses repeated at OCC will impact the GPA.
• In most cases, students can repeat courses as many times as they wish. Certain programs may have limitations on the number of times a student can repeat courses required in the program. Please refer to the specific requirements for each program for more information.

E. Incompletes

Students with extenuating circumstances that prevent them from completing a course on time may be assigned a grade of “I” (incomplete), which provides additional time for the student to complete the coursework. 

• Instructors may choose not to allow incomplete grades for their class. 
• To issue an “I” grade, the instructor will first post the student’s final grade (A-F) based on the work that has been completed. Then, the instructor will submit an “Incomplete Grade” form. 
• The student will receive a copy of the form, which will include a plan and timeline for completing the remaining coursework. The student must choose to accept the “I” grade or keep their original grade. 
• If the student accepts the “I” grade, the Office of Registration & Records will update the grade on the student’s record.  
• Once the student has completed the coursework, the instructor must submit the new final grade to the Office of Registration & Records on a “Grade Change Request” form. 

Incomplete Considerations 

• All remaining coursework must be completed by the grade deadline for the next regular semester (Fall or Spring) or the “I” grade will return to the original grade.
• Students may not register for a new section of the class they have an “I” grade in. 
• The student’s academic standing will be re-calculated once the new final grade is posted. Academic Standing will only be adjusted if it benefits the student. (see rule VII. Academic Standing) 
• Students cannot graduate from OCC while there is an “I” grade on their record, even if the class with the incomplete is not needed for their program requirements. 
• Students with a grade of “I” in a prerequisite class will be allowed to continue in the subsequent class. 

Incomplete Extensions 

• An instructor may choose to extend the timeline of an incomplete by one additional semester by submitting a new “Incomplete Grade” form. This will give the student two full semesters to complete the coursework before the “I” returns to the original grade. 
• Incomplete extensions are offered at the discretion of the instructor. 

F. Grade Changes

An instructor may request to change a student’s grade after a grade has been posted.

• To request a grade change, the instructor must submit a “Grade Change Request” form, which includes the reason for the change.
• Grade Change Request forms must be submitted within one full semester following the class.
• Grade changes submitted late or for reasons other than mathematical or clerical error are subject to approval of the Scholastic Standards Committee.
• Grades cannot be changed after a student has graduated.