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2019 - 2020 FCC Academic Catalog
178 • 301.846.2400 • 301.846.2400 179
2019 - 2020 FCC Academic Catalog
b. Developmental courses in Math, English,
and English as a Second Language (ESL)
are assigned letter grades. Letter grades or
grades of “S,”“U,” and “Z” used previously in
developmental courses will not carry quality
points.
c.A grade of “W” is recorded for students who
withdraw from a class during the defined
withdrawal period for each session. These
dates are published in the schedule of classes.
d. A grade of “I” may be issued in the case
of extenuating circumstances at the
discretion of the instructor. This grade is
issued only to the student whose work
has been satisfactory but because of
circumstances beyond the student’s
control, full requirements of the course
remain unfulfilled at the time of grading.
i. Student should complete
course requirements within the
period of time prescribed by the
instructor but no later than
(a) Eight (8) weeks following the fall or
spring semesters
(b) Four (4) weeks following the
summer term
(c) Two (2) weeks following the J-term
ii. In the event that the incomplete grade
has not been changed by the instructor
in the allotted time frame in section i.
above, the Incomplete will automatically
become an “F.”
iii. In case of extreme hardship preventing
a student from completing the course
requirements within the prescribed
period, the student may request more
time from the faculty member. If more
time is denied by the faculty member, the
student may appeal to the appropriate
Associate Vice President for additional
time to complete the requirements.
e. P – A grade of “P” is equivalent to a grade
of “C” or better. A few select courses are
offered on a pass/fail basis. Students taking
courses on a pass/fail basis are allowed a
maximum of nine (9) such credits to be
counted toward their degrees. Pass/fail
course credits are not computed in the
student’s overall GPA.
f. DX – A grade of “DX” is recorded for a
student who has been granted academic
clemency for a “D” grade. The grade carries
no quality points and is not included in the
GPA calculation.
g. FX – A grade of “FX” is recorded for a
student who has been granted academic
clemency for an “F” grade. The grade carries
no quality points and is not included in the
GPA calculation.
h. AU – Courses taken for audit do not
satisfy course or program prerequisites or
graduation requirements. Regular tuition
and fees are charged when auditing a
course. A student registering as an audit
student must meet all the required
prerequisites. Audited courses do not
count towards a student’s enrollment
status. A student may change from audit
to grade basis (credit) through the last day
to add courses for that session. A change
from grade basis (credit) to audit may be
made through the last day to withdraw for
each session. Students registered as audit
participate in the course; however, are not
required to take part in assessments.
2. Computation of Grade Point
Averages (GPA)
a. Semester Grade Point Average
The semester GPA is determined by
multiplying the number of credit hours in
each course attempted by the number of
points corresponding to the final grade
for the course. The total is then divided
by the number of credit hours attempted
during that semester. The semester GPA is
computed only on college-level courses
attempted at FCC. The grades of “I,”“AU,”
“S,”“U,”“P,”“Z,”“DX,”“FX,” and “W” are not
used in calculating the GPA. In the case
of repeated courses, courses with the
“RP” designation are excluded from the
semester GPA calculation; courses with
the “RI” designation are included in the
semester GPA calculation.
b. Cumulative Grade Point Average
The cumulative GPA includes all college-
level courses and grades attempted at FCC
and is determined in the same manner as
the semester GPA. In the case of repeated
courses, courses with the “RP” designation
are excluded from the cumulative
GPA calculation; courses with the “RI”
designation are included in the cumulative
GPA calculation. Only the highest grade
earned will be used in cumulative GPA
calculations. The course included in GPA
calculations is indicated on the student’s
transcript with the “RI” (Repeat Grade
Included) designation. All repeated courses
excluded from GPA calculations remain
on the transcript indicated as “RP” (Repeat
Grade Excluded). If the two (2) grades are
the same, the most recent grade will be
used in GPA calculations.
A student who successfully repeats a course
for which transfer credit has been granted
will have the transfer credits removed from
the transcript. Students may receive transfer
credits for an FCC equivalent course for
which they have received an “F” grade at
FCC. However, the “F” grade will remain on
the transcript and will be included in GPA
calculations.
c. Hours Attempted and Earned
Hours attempted are the total number of
credit hours in all college-level courses for
which a student receives one of the letter
grades listed under Grades and Quality
Points.
Hours earned are the total number of credit
hours in college-level courses for which a
student receives a letter grade of “A,”“B,”“C,”
“D,” or “P.”
3. Grades and Quality Points
Quality Points per course credit hour are
assigned to each letter grade. Quality points are a
numerical equivalent of grades. Grades received
in developmental courses are not assigned quality
points and are not calculated in the grade point
average. The numerical equivalency and impact on
GPA are as follows:
Grade Quality Point value Included in GPA
A 4 Yes
B 3 Yes
C 2 Yes
D 1 Yes
F 0 Yes
W 0 No
Z 0 No
P 0 No
S 0 No
U 0 No
I 0 No
AU 0 No
DX 0 No
FX 0 No
4. Posting of Grades
Final grades for an academic session are due from
the faculty within three (3) calendar days after the
end of the session.
5. Attendance Reporting
The Federal Government mandates that institutions
identify students who are receiving financial aid
and are not attending class, and return those aid
dollars to the federal government. Instructors are
key in identifying these students and assisting
the College with complying with Federal Title IV
Financial Aid regulations.
Faculty members are required to report the
student’s attendance at the beginning of the
session and report no later than the dates provided
by the Financial Aid Office. FCC does not disperse
federal funds to students until attendance is
confirmed by the instructor. Faculty who do not
report attendance by the established attendance
due dates, will cause a delay to students receiving
their financial aid awards. Faculty must also report
the last date of attendance for students assigned “F,”
“W,” and “I” grades.
D. Academic Progress
FCC is committed to assisting students in the
pursuit of their academic goals. While students at
the College are expected to take responsibility for
their own progress, the College periodically reviews
the academic progress students are making and
identifies their appropriate academic standing.
1. Academic Progress Review
a. Students are expected to maintain
minimum standards of academic
achievement as indicated by
both GPA and percentage of
successfully completed credits.
b. Students will be subject to Academic
Progress Review after attempting a total
of twelve (12) cumulative credits.
c. All students enrolled as degree seeking,
certificate seeking, and Open Campus
are subject to Academic Progress
Review. Students who are enrolled
under the admission classification of
Courses of Interest are not subject
to Academic Progress Review.
2. Definitions
a. Successfully completed credits – The
following grades represent successful
completion of credit: “A,”“B,”“C,”“D,”“S,”“P.”
b. Unsuccessfully completed credits – The
following grades represent unsuccessful
completion of credit: “W,”“F,”“AU,”“I,”“Z,” or “U.”
c. Credits attempted – Includes all credits
attempted (including developmental
courses) and courses in which a grade of
withdraw, audit, incomplete, or in progress
is recorded.
3. Academic Standings
a. Good Standing – Students will be
considered to be in good academic
standing when their cumulative GPA
is 2.000 or higher, and when they have
successfully completed at least 50% of their
cumulative credits attempted.
b. Academic Alert – Students are placed on
Academic Alert when their cumulative
GPA is less than 2.000, and/or they have
successfully completed less than 50% of
their cumulative credits attempted.
i. While on Academic Alert, students
will be required to meet with an
Academic Advisor to develop an
Academic Success Plan designed
to provide students with academic
support to facilitate their success.
ii. While on Academic Alert, students will
be required to have their registration
approved by an Academic Advisor.
iii. While there is no credit restriction
while on Academic Alert, students
on Academic Alert at the time of pre-
registration for a subsequent semester
can only pre-register for six (6) credits
until final grades for the current
semester have been posted. Students
who conclude the semester in Good
Standing are then able to add additional
credits to their semester schedule.
iv. Students who demonstrate academic
progress while on Academic Alert, as
evidenced by achievement of a minimum
2.000 semester GPA, and successful
completion of at least 50% of semester
credits attempted will be allowed to
continue even though their cumulative
GPA has not reached the required 2.000.
Students will be assigned a standing
of Academic Alert with Progress.
iv.Students who demonstrate academic
progress while on Academic Alert, as
evidenced by achievement of a minimum
2.000 semester GPA, and successful
completion of at least 50% of semester
credits attempted will be allowed to
continue even though their cumulative
GPA has not reached the required 2.000.
Students will be assigned a standing of
Academic Alert with Progress.
c. Academic Alert with Progress – Students
who demonstrate academic progress
while on Academic Alert, as evidenced by
achievement of a minimum 2.000 semester
GPA, and successful completion of at least
50% of semester credits attempted will
be allowed to continue even though their
cumulative GPA is less than 2.000, and/or
they have successfully completed less than
50% of their cumulative credits attempted.
i. While on Academic Alert with
Progress, students are not required
to have their registration approved
by an Academic Advisor.
ii. There is no credit restriction while
on Academic Alert with Progress.
iii. Students on Academic Alert with
Progress at the time of pre-registration
for a subsequent semester can pre-
register with no credit restriction.
d. Academic Probation – Students on
Academic Alert or Academic Alert
with Progress who fail to achieve a
2.000 semester GPA, and/or who fail to
successfully complete at least 50% of
semester credits attempted are placed on
Academic Probation.
i. While on Academic Probation, students
will be required to meet with an
Academic Advisor to develop an
Academic Success Plan designed to
provide students with academic support
to facilitate their success.
ii. Students who are on Academic Probation
must have their registration approved by
an Academic Advisor and will be limited
to enrollment in six (6) credits.
iii. Students who are on Academic Probation
will not be allowed to preregister for the
subsequent semester until final grades for
the current semester are posted.
iv. Students who demonstrate academic
progress while on Academic Probation, as
evidenced by achievement of a minimum
2.000 semester GPA, and successful
completion of at least 50% of semester
credits attempted will be allowed to
continue even though their cumulative
GPA has not reached the required 2.000.
Students will be assigned a standing of
Academic Alert with Progress.
e. Academic Suspension – Students on
Academic Probation who fail to achieve
a 2.000 semester GPA, and/or who fail
to successfully complete at least 50%
of semester credits attempted will be
academically suspended for one fall or
spring semester, and any preceding J-term
or summer term.
f. Academic Dismissal – Students who are
subject to Academic Dismissal will be
dismissed for a period of two (2) semesters,
and any preceding J-term or summer term.
Students are subject to Academic Dismissal
when:
i. satisfactory progress is not made in the
first semester upon their reenrollment
following Academic Suspension; or
ii. the student has been placed on
Academic Suspension for a second
occurrence.