CREDIT, GRADES, & GPA POLICIES

Academic Credits

Academic credits are granted for work completed successfully in courses specifically outlined below. A lecture course carries one semester credit hour for one hour of classroom instruction per week. Instructor supervised laboratory work carries one semester credit hour for three hours of laboratory time per week. Note: Supervised laboratory work includes clinical, studio, internship, practicum, fieldwork, and physical education courses.

Grading System

The instructor, based on the student’s assignments, examinations, class attendance and other criteria outlined in the course syllabus, evaluates the student’s scholastic achievement and awards a letter grade. The Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed based upon rules associated with the letter grade as listed in the chart below. The letter grade rules determine whether credits attempted and credits earned are counted in the GPA and the value of the points per credit.

The following grades have no point value; the credits attempted are not counted in the GPA calculation.

GPA Calculation

The semester GPA is calculated as follows:

1. Find the points per credit value for each letter grade
2. Multiply the points per credit value by the Credits Attempted (CA) for each class to equal Quality Points
3. Total all the Quality Points (QP)
4. Total all the Credits Attempted (CA)
5. Divide the total Quantity points (QA) by the total Credits Attempted (CA) to equal the GPA

Example:

1. Total QP = 12.0 + 13.0 + 9.0 + 0.0 = 34.2
2. Total CA = 3 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 13.0
3. QP / CA = 34.2 / 13 = 2.63
4. GPA = 2.63

The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated the same way, taking ALL letter grades and ALL Credits Attempted (CA) from the first semester through the last semester and calculating as above.

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade may be reported only if the student is unable to successfully complete all course requirements by the end of the semester. An “I” grade is given when extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control make it impossible to complete the required work within the prescribed time. Arrangements must be made between the instructor and the student before the end of the semester.

A “Report of Incomplete” form is available from the Records Office. This form must be signed by the instructor AND the student and submitted by the instructor along with the student’s other grades by the end of the semester. Courses may not be repeated to remove an incomplete. Incomplete grades can only be removed by completing unfinished course requirements before the deadline. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the makeup work with enough time for the instructor to grade the work and submit the Change of Grade Form before the deadline. (See Change of Grade policy below).

Grade Report

Students may receive their final grade report each semester from the Records Office during the semester or term interim. Questions about a particular grade should be addressed to the instructor. Any suspected error in the grade report should be reported to the Records Office as soon as possible after receiving the report. The time limit for any grade change is within the first six weeks of the subsequent semester or term in which the original grade was given. Grade conflicts can also be settled through the grievance process. (See section on Grievance Policy located on our Student Rights page).

Change of Grade

An instructor may change a student’s grade within the first six weeks of the subsequent semester in which the original grade was given. The instructor initiating the change of grade must obtain a Change of Grade Form from the Records Office.

Faculty must hand carry Change of Grade Forms throughout the entire process, securing signatures of the Department Chairperson and the Dean of Academic Affairs and when appropriate the Dean of Trades and Technology Division. Upon review and approval of the appropriate Dean, the form will then be forwarded to the Registrar’s Office for final review and approval before final processing. The Dean of Academic Affairs and when appropriate the Dean of Trades and Technology Division will not review change of grade requests hand carried by personnel other than the instructor of the course.

A change of grade request cannot be made for a grade above “B” unless approved by the appropriate Dean. This is to ensure equal and fair treatment of all students enrolled in that particular course.

Change of Grade for Graduates

In order to change a grade for a graduate, the instructor must obtain a Change of Grade form from the Admissions and Records Office, hand carry the forms to the Department Chairperson and the appropriate Dean for approval and signature.

Academic Standards

Academic standing is based upon the students’ cumulative grade point average (CGPA). The academic standing designations are: Good Standing, Academic Probation, 1st Suspension and 2nd Suspension.

Good Standing

A student is in good academic standing when his/her cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is 2.00 or above.

Academic Probation

A student whose CGPA is less than 2.00 will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation can only enroll in up to 6 credits or up to 9 credits with the recommendation of his/her advisor and the approval of the Dean of Academic Affairs and when appropriate the Dean of Trades and Technology Division. Students on academic probation can enroll in only one course for summer session. A student who achieves at least a semester GPA of 2.00 while on academic probation may continue to enroll at the college. A student is removed from academic probation when a CGPA OF 2.00 or higher is reached.

1st Suspension

A student will be placed on 1st suspension if, while on probation, he/she fails to maintain a semester GPA of at least 2.00. This is equivalent to two consecutive probationary semesters. The student may not be suspended as a result of academic performance during the summer session. The student may re-enroll after one semester, not including the summer session.

2nd Suspension

A student, who re-enrolls at the college after returning from 1st suspension, can enroll in up to 6 credits (or up to 9 credits with the Dean of Academic Affairs approval and signature.) However student must achieve at least a 2.00 semester GPA, and must meet the requirements for satisfactory academic progress.

Otherwise, the student will be placed on 2nd suspension. The 2nd suspension is for at least one calendar year. After this period of time the student may apply for readmission under the same provision as those required of a suspended student.

Academic Renewal

The changing of previously recorded substandard academic performance (D and F grades), completed at the American Samoa Community College, which may not be reflective of a student’s demonstrated ability, will be considered upon submission of a petition by the student to the Registrar’s Office. Upon approval by the Dean of Student Services, the academic record of the student will be annotated with the appropriate adjustments made to the grade point average (GPA). All previously recorded work, however, will remain on the transcript, ensuring a true and complete academic history. The changed grade will be recorded as “AR” with the original grade in parenthesis. For example, a grade of “D” will appear as AR (D). A maximum of 24 credits of course work can be alleviated. This policy is applicable under any of the following cases:

• Completion of 24 credits at “C” (2.00) level or above since the semester of substandard work
• Passage of at least 4 years since the substandard work was recorded
• Demonstration that pre-recorded work is not reflective of the student’s present ability.
  • Such evidence might include, but is not limited to, documented proof of experience, awards, degrees and honors since the notation of the substandard work.