Student Grading System

Instructors will evaluate student achievement of course learning outcomes, and students will be regularly informed of their progress. Evaluation measures will be clearly set forth by the instructor in the course syllabus. A variety of evaluation methods relevant to the learning outcomes may be used.

Yavapai College uses a 4.0 grading system.

In addition, the college offers a number of other grading options which are not computed in a student's Grade Point Average.

In case of clerical error, student may request a grade change.

Academic Honors List

An honor bestowed upon students who demonstrate exemplary performance. To be eligible, a student must complete 12 or more credits in that semester with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

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Calculating your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Manual GPA Calculation

1. For each class, multiply the number of credits by the point value assigned (A=4, B=3, etc.).
2. Add the points of all classes together.
3. Divide by the total number of credits.

Example:

• "A" in 3-credit class: 3 credits x 4 points = 12 grade points
• "B" in 3-credit class: 3 credits x 3 points = 9 grade points
• "A" in 4-credit class: 4 credits x 4 points = 16 grade points
• Sum of 12 + 9 + 16 = 37 total grade points
• Grade Point Average is dividend of 37 divided by 10 credits: 3.7 GPA.

In Progress Grade

"IP" is a grade indicating a course is in-progress and a final grade has yet to be assigned. It is used only for open-entry/open-exit courses and, in rare cases, vocationally approved short courses.

"IP" is not an alternative to an Incomplete grade.

A letter grade must replace the "IP" grade when the course is completed.

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Incomplete Grades

An Incomplete grade ("I") may be requested by a student and will be posted to the student's permanent record only at the end of a semester in which the student has done the following:

1. Completed a significant majority of the work required for the course while maintaining a "C" average for work submitted and is capable of completing the remainder of the required work for this course, and
2. Experienced extenuating circumstances which prevent completion of the course requirements.

It is the exclusive responsibility of each student receiving an Incomplete to be in communication with the instructor and complete the course(s) by the deadline established by the instructor, the maximum of which can be one year. The instructor will then initiate a change of grade.

If the instructor is no longer available, the student should contact the supervising instructional dean. If the work required is not completed by the deadline established by the instructor, the grade specified by the instructor will be posted to the permanent record.

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Enrichment Grading

The Enrichment grading option no longer is available at Yavapai College effective in the Fall 2006 term.

Courses completed through this option may not be applied to certificate or degree programs at Yavapai College and are not intended for transfer.

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Auditing

A student wishing exposure to a course may elect to audit. Regular attendance at all class meetings is the responsibility of the student, but writing assignments and examinations are not mandatory.

A grade of "AU" will be awarded for satisfactory attendance. Courses audited carry no credit toward the grade point average, toward graduation, or toward meeting professional requirements.

Audit units do not count toward determining the eligibility for financial aid purposes. Audits may be repeated for credit. Once a student registers for and completes a class as an auditor, the audit on the permanent record may not be changed to a credit-earning grade.

Students enrolling for credit will have priority over auditors until the first class day of the course, at which time auditors may enroll on a space available basis. An additional fee is assessed to audited courses. See current class schedule for fees.

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Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory Grading

Yavapai College encourages each student to explore areas of study outside their major field of study and to develop new areas of interest. The S/U grading option is one way the college stimulates this exploration.

The "S" grade is defined as equivalent to a grade of "C" or better on the conventional grading scale of A-F. A course completed with an "S" grade indicates appropriate subject area knowledge to satisfy the prerequisite requirement of a related higher-level course.

Specified courses are graded only S/U. Students in other courses who prefer the S/U grading option must notify the class instructor.

Conditions of Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory ("S/U") grading:

• Since some colleges and universities limit the number of credits completed with S/U grading that will transfer, or restrict the way that such credits may be applied to degree requirements, it is recommended that students preparing for transfer select the S/U grading option only for elective courses.
• A maximum of twelve hours of "S" credit from 100- and 200-level courses may be applied toward Yavapai College graduation requirements.
• S/U grading is not an option for courses applied to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC).
• S/U grades are not computed in the student's Yavapai College grade point average.

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Change of Final Grade

In case of clerical error, students may request a grade change no later than 120 days after the official notification date. Once the grade for a course has been officially recorded by the Registrar, the instructor may change the grade because of the following:

1. An error occurred in the computing and/or recording of the grade, or
2. An incomplete (I) or an in-progress (IP) grade was originally recorded.

If the instructor of the course is no longer available, the student may submit a written request to change the grade to the supervising assistant/associate dean. Such request must provide documented reasons why a change should be made.

In case of a grade appeal, refer to the explanation of "Student Appeal of Academic or Instructional Decisions by Faculty."

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