Evaluation and Grading

Grading System: A single, final grade is recorded for each scheduled course at the end of each semester. Academic standing at Berkeley College is based upon the grading system shown below. 

GRADING SYSTEM
Grade	Grade Point Equivalent
A A- B+ B B- C+ C F FA P - Pass I - Incomplete W - Withdrawal (Never Attended) WP - Withdrawal Passing WF - Withdrawal Failing WVR - Waiver CR - Credit	4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 0 Course Failure Stopped Attending None None None None None None None

A failing grade will be used in the calculation of the student’s overall grade point average (GPA). Once the course in which the F grade is repeated, the new grade will replace the original F grade in the calculation of overall GPA. However, the original F grade will remain on the transcript.

Computation of GPA: Berkeley College computes the semester GPA and cumulative GPA using the grade point equivalent values provided in the table above.

To compute the GPA for the semester, each letter grade is converted to the grade point equivalent listed above. Then, that grade point is multiplied by the number of credits designated for the course. This produces the grade point equivalents for each class. This procedure is followed for each course.

Next, the grade point equivalents for all courses are added. That total is then divided by the total number of credits attempted for the semester. The result is the semester GPA.

To compute the cumulative GPA, the grade point equivalents for all courses taken during the graduate program are added. That total is then divided by the total number of credits attempted during the graduate program. The result is the cumulative GPA.

Pass or fail grades are not included in the cumulative GPA calculation. The credits for repeated courses are only included once in the GPA calculation.

Course Syllabus: Students receive a syllabus for each course during the first week of the term. The syllabus contains the instructor's name and office hours, a general description of the course and its contents, a statement of learning outcomes, descriptions of the instructor's participation and grading policies, the academic integrity policy, instruction for arranging for disability accommodations, and a list of major assignments.

Course Withdrawal: Students who wish to withdraw from a course must inform and receive approval from the Academic Advisement Department. Courses dropped during the drop period (first week for seven-week courses and first two weeks for all other courses) do not appear on the student’s transcript. Withdrawal from a seven-week course between weeks two and four will result in a grade of WP or WF, and withdrawal from a 15-week course between weeks three and 12 will result in a grade of WP or WF, which indicates whether the student was passing or failing the course at the time of withdrawal. After these deadlines, students will receive the appropriate grade earned in the course. A grade of W will be assigned to students who enrolled in but did not participate in a course. Students who do not officially withdraw from a course will receive a letter grade that reflects their achievement.

FA Grade: Federal law requires students who have been awarded any type of Federal Student Aid (FSA) to fulfill their academic requirements. If a student fails to earn a passing grade in at least one course, an assessment must be made to determine whether the student earned the non-passing grades while participating in courses, or, whether the student stopped participating in courses, but did not officially withdraw. If a student stopped participating in courses after the final date for withdrawal, which is week 4 for seven-week courses and week 12 for 15-week courses, a grade of “FA” - Course Failure Stopped Attending - will be assigned. The FA grade is assigned by the faculty to any student who meets both of the following conditions:

• They failed the class, and
• They have not actively attended and/or participated since the last enrollment verification. 

An “FA” grade notation affects a student’s grade point average as any other F grade and will appear in the transcript as an “F” grade. No other grades, such as an “I,” may be assigned under these circumstances.

*The College operates one 15-week term and two seven-week sub-terms. During the second, fourth, seventh, and eleventh week of each term, by no later than the posting deadline, faculty members must submit an enrollment verification form for each class they are teaching. Enrollment verification occurs during the second and fourth weeks of 7-week courses. Forms are to be submitted online through Canvas.

Faculty will complete enrollment verification by assessing each student's participation in academically related activities. For enrollment verification purposes, "participation" is defined as completing course work and/or initiating any contact of an academic nature with faculty. Examples of participation include, but are not limited to, responding to discussion board posts, emailing/calling faculty regarding the course or course work, completing assessments, or other reasonable means where the student demonstrates engagement or the intent to engage in the course.

Incomplete Grades:

1. An Incomplete (“I”) is a temporary grade which may be assigned to a student who, for reasons beyond their control, cannot finish the assigned course work by the end of the term as defined in the course syllabus.
2. The following conditions apply to this grade:
   • The faculty member will clearly define the assignments or the academic product(s) to be delivered by the student and the due dates. The due date cannot be later than the last day of the subsequent semester in which the course was taken.
   • The student initiates the request for the grade before the end of the term.
3. Students must initiate the process using the Incomplete Grade Request eForm and obtain the approval of their instructor. This form will specify what work remains, how it is to be completed, and the deadline. It will remain in the student’s record, with finalized copies to the student, instructor and the appropriate Department Chair or Division Director.
4. Once a faculty member has agreed to this process, the Office of the Registrar will assign an “I” before the grade deadline.
5. The deadline for initiating the process is Saturday of Week 7 for the Seven-Week Session A term and Saturday of Week 15 for the Seven-Week Session B and 15-Week terms. However, students are encouraged to engage in dialogue with their instructor as soon as they are aware that circumstances may delay completion of course work.
6. The faculty will determine a deadline for completion of the course work; however, this cannot be later than the last day of the subsequent semester in which the course was taken. The student should be encouraged to complete work as soon as reasonably possible.
7. A student, upon consultation with their faculty member, may appeal to extend the deadline for the “I,” however, this extension may not be longer than the final day of the subsequent term in which the course was taken. Extensions are at the discretion of the faculty member and must be reported to the Office of the Registrar if approved. Students must initiate the extension using the Incomplete Grade Request eForm and obtaining the approval of their instructor. This request must be made at least 72 hours before the established deadline of the original request.
8. When the work is turned in to the satisfaction of the faculty member, or the student fails to meet the agreed upon deadline, a Change of Grade form should be submitted with the appropriate final grade. Absent exigent circumstances, this final grade is not subject to appeal.

Repeating Courses: Graduate students may elect to repeat up to two courses when the grades earned are “B-" or lower.

Students in the School of Health Studies have varying accreditation and course requirements. Students in those majors should consult with their program-specific student handbook supplement and Academic Advisor to determine which courses may be repeated.

1. The student is expected to repeat the course at Berkeley College. If a student wishes to repeat a course at a different institution, the student must obtain written permission from the Chair/Director of the department/division in which the course is offered at Berkeley College.
   • The student must provide a rationale for why the course cannot be repeated at Berkeley College.
   • Repeated courses taken at other colleges fall under the current regulations for courses taken at other colleges.
   • Courses taken elsewhere must be evaluated under the current transfer credit policy. A student must earn a grade of “C,” or higher and only the credits will be accepted into the Berkeley College program requirements.
2. Eligible courses may be repeated once (2nd attempt) in consultation with an Academic Advisor.
3. A student wishing to take a course for a third time, regardless of whether the repeated grade is passing or failing, must obtain written permission from the Dean of the School/Division in which the course is offered. The student will also document an Academic Plan with their Advisor that includes support from The Center for Academic Success, and a statement which details their plans for success.
   • Except in extreme circumstances, a course may not be attempted more than three (3) times.
   • Students who do not pass a required course after three (3) attempts will be subject to Academic Dismissal from the College.
4. The repeated course and the new grade for the course will be entered on the student’s permanent record. The cumulative GPA reflects only the most recent grade for the repeated course, even if it is lower than the original grade. The attempted credit hours will reflect each attempt at the course.
5. The repeated course must be the same as the original course. Substitution for courses will only be allowed if the course is no longer offered at Berkeley College or will not be offered again in a timely manner for the student to complete the repeat.
6. The repeat of a course must be completed before graduation.
7. If a grade of “W” was received for a course, re-registration for the same course is not considered a repeat of the course.
8. The repeat of a course may affect financial aid awards and completion of major requirements. The student should consult with Financial Aid for advice related to these issues.