Grading System

• A – Excellent The student has demonstrated outstanding proficiency in mastering course objectives. (4 points per credit in computation of grade point average)
• B – Above Average The student has demonstrated above average proficiency in mastering course objectives. (3 points per credit in computation of grade point average)
• C – Average The student has demonstrated average proficiency in mastering course objectives. (2 points per credit in computation of grade point average)
• D – Below Average The student has demonstrated below average but passing proficiency in mastering course objectives. (1 point per credit in computation of grade point average)
• F – Failing The student has not demonstrated a minimum passing proficiency in mastering course objectives. (0 points per credit in computation of grade point average)
• FX – Failure related to non-attendance
• I – Incomplete Due to extenuating circumstances, a student may be given an extension of time to complete course objectives. An I grade must be made up prior to the end of the succeeding term or it becomes an F. Assignment of I grades is a faculty prerogative and is issued when the student who has completed the majority of the course requirements is unable to complete the remainder due to unusual or extenuating circumstances. (An incomplete does not count in computation of grade point average).
• P – Pass A P is an indication that the student has completed the coursework satisfactorily. It is used for all developmental courses and other courses at the discretion of the College. (Does not count in the computation of grade point average.)
• R – Re-enroll The student has made satisfactory progress but should re-enroll until course objectives are completed and is used for developmental courses only. (Does not count in computation of grade point average)
• V – Audit An audit (no credit) does not count in computation of a grade point average. Audits are processed by the last day to drop classes. An audit is not an option for online classes.
• W – Withdrawal A W is an indication of an action requested by the student. The student must officially withdraw from a course prior to the last day to drop classes. The student may call Registration to officially withdraw or drop via WebAdvisor. A W may not be changed to a grade. (Does not count in the computation of grade point average)
• Z – Unreported grade A Z is an indication of an administrative action by the College. This action is taken when a grade is not reported by the faculty member. (Does not count in computation of grade point average)

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The student’s grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits attempted in those courses that count toward the student’s grade point average.

To calculate a grade point average (GPA):
Grade – Value x Credit Hrs Completed = Grade Pts
A – 4 x 4.5 = 18
B – 3 x 4.5 = 13.5
C – 2 x 4.5 = 9
D – 1 x 4.5 = 4.5
F – 0 x 4.5 = 0
FX – 0 x 4.5 = 0

Example:

Take the total number of grade points (30) and divide by total hours completed (16.5): GPA = 1.82
Note: Actions of R, P, IW, W, V, Z and Q do not apply toward GPA but do appear in attempted hours.

Auditing a Course

A student who wants to attend a course without taking examinations or receiving credit for a course may register as an audit student. The student who audits a class pays the regular tuition rate and fees. Audited courses do not count toward graduation requirements nor satisfy prerequisite requirements for other courses.

Courses that are eligible for audit are determined by the appropriate academic dean; not all courses will be available for audit by a student. Online courses may not be audited. An audit student may not change from audit to credit status once the course has started.
A student receiving financial aid or veterans’ benefits cannot count audited courses to establish full- or part-time status.

Repeat of a Course

A student may repeat a course in which he/she did not receive at least a C grade. Both grades will remain on the permanent record; the latest grade is used to compute the grade point average. A student may repeat a course in which he/she received a grade of C or better if they audit the class; courses may not be repeated for credit if the final grade was a C or better unless approved through the academic dean with faculty consultation.

Process for Grade Appeals

A student who wishes to appeal a grade must follow the appeal procedure listed below. The appeal process for course grades must be initiated no later than the end of the quarter (last class day) following the quarter in which the course was completed. The appeal process begins when a student writes a letter to the instructor (first level of appeal). If dissatisfied with the appeal at any level, the student may appeal in writing to the next level:

• 1st Level: Instructor
• 2nd Level: Appropriate academic dean
• 3rd Level: Vice President for Academic Affairs

MCC retains the student’s official academic records (transcript). Student financial aid records are retained for three years plus the current year.

The student who believes there is an inaccuracy in his/her official academic record (transcript) must notify the Records immediately. The transcript is the final, accurate record of academic accomplishment.

Academic Amnesty

A student who wishes to petition for academic amnesty (elimination of a course(s) from a previous quarter), must meet the following provisions below. The amnesty process begins when a student meets with an academic advisor to complete the petition. The petition requests the elimination of one quarter (maximum of 24 credit hours) of classes.

• The policy pertains to a student who was enrolled at MCC and then re-enrolled
• After re-enrollment, the student must have successfully completed a minimum of 24 credit hours of 1000- or 2000-level classes with a minimum grade point average of 2.50
• The students’ permanent record will reflect the original grade(s) received
• Academic amnesty may be granted only one time
• Academic amnesty will be applied to grades only, which will be eliminated from attempted hours and grade point average calculation.

Academic Awards

MCC offers a wide range of programs of study leading to the associate in applied science degree, associate in arts degree, associate in science in nursing, certificate of achievement and specialist diploma.

Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS)

The associate in applied science degree is awarded to a student completing the requirements of one of the career programs with a minimum of 96 quarter hours and a maximum of 110 quarter hours unless noted for accreditation purposes. An associate in applied science degree prepares the graduate for entry-level positions and is accepted by several four-year institutions under A-to-B agreements.

Associate in Arts Degree (AA)

The associate in arts degree is awarded to a student completing the requirements of the Liberal Arts/Academic Transfer. This degree parallels the work done in the first two years at a four-year institution.

Associate in Science Degree (AS)

The associate in science degree is an academic transfer degree awarded to a student completing the courses required for the degree. This degree is generally transferable as the first two years at a baccalaureate program or in meeting the minimum requirements for entrance into a designated professional program of study.

Associate in Science in Nursing Degree (ASN)

The associate in science in nursing degree is awarded to a student completing the program requirements of the associate degree nursing program with a minimum of 108 credit hours and a maximum of 110 credit hours, unless noted for accreditation purposes. The graduate awarded this degree is eligible to take the NCLEX Exam for licensure as a registered nurse. Many of the required courses transfer to four-year institutions.

Certificate of Achievement

The certificate of achievement is awarded to a student upon successful completion of the requirements of one of the career programs with a minimum of 48 quarter hours and a maximum of 55 quarter hours.

Degree/Certificate Option

The degree/certificate option is a specialization within a program of study. A diploma is awarded for the degree/certificate not the option.

Specialist Diplomas

Specialist diplomas represent a structured sequence of courses that may be completed in a relatively shortperiod. In some cases, the entire module may be completed in a single term of study; in other cases, two or three terms may be needed because of course prerequisites or other factors.

Graduation Requirements

The requirements for graduation at MCC are those specified in the College catalog or the student may elect to meet the requirements stated in a later catalog if they attended during that catalog year. A student who does not complete program requirements within four years is subject to the current catalog or any preceding catalog within four years if he/she attended during that catalog year.

A student should be aware that course prerequisites and/or the need for developmental work in English, math, reading and/or science may extend the time necessary for completion of a College degree, certificate or specialist diploma. The student must satisfy course prerequisites as specified in the current College catalog even if graduating under the provisions of an earlier catalog.

To graduate with honors, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above in his/her program of study.

There is a graduation application fee of $25 (non-refundable) per graduation application. There is no fee for a specialist diploma application. Deadlines to file a graduation application are as follows:

• Fall quarter................. Nov. 1
• Winter quarter............ Feb. 1
• Spring quarter............ April 1
• Summer quarter......... July 1

An annual ceremony to honor graduates and applicants (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) is held in May of each year.

Degrees: Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate in Science in Nursing

To be eligible for graduation with an associate degree, a student must have:

• Completed a graduation application form with payment, appropriate signatures and submitted it by the deadline to: Metropolitan Community College Records P.O. Box 3777 Omaha, NE 68103-0777
• Successfully completed all program course requirements encompassing a minimum of 96 credit hours as outlined in the College catalog. This includes successful completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours in residence at the College or be enrolled in a approved statewide initiative program and have designated MCC as their home institution
• Earned a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all studies that are applicable toward graduation from a program of study and be in good academic standing
• Resolved all College financial obligations and returned all library and College materials

Certificate of Achievement

To be eligible for graduation with a certificate of achievement, a student must have:

• Completed a graduation application form with payment, appropriate signatures and submitted it to the Records at the address listed above
• Successfully completed all course requirements of a program of study encompassing a minimum of 48 credit hours as outlined in the College catalog with a minimum of 15 credit hours in residence at the College
• Earned a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all studies attempted and applicable toward graduation from a program of study and be in good academic standing
• Resolved all College financial obligations and returned all library and College materials

Specialist Diploma

Designed for the currently employed person seeking job-relevant career development. Specialist diploma modules represent a structured sequence of courses that may be completed in a relatively short period. Diplomas range from a minimum of 24 quarter hours to a maximum of 36 quarter hours.

At least two-thirds of the credits leading to the specialist diploma must be completed at MCC, and a grade of C or better is required as well as to be in good academic standing. Specialist Diplomas are mailed to the student.

Dean's List

MCC celebrates the student who has completed coursework with excellence. Outstanding academic achievement is recognized through the Dean’s List each quarter. To qualify for the Dean’s List, the student must:

• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in graded 1000-level or above classes;
• Complete at least six credit hours in 1000-level or above classes for the term in which he/she is qualifying; and
• Achieve at least a 3.5 grade point average for the quarter in which he/she is qualifying.

The student receives notification from the Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the student’s name is publicized on the MCC website and sent to select newspapers.

Standards Of Academic Progress

Student Academic Progress

To encourage satisfactory progress throughout continuous terms of enrollment, the College’s academic progress policy establishes specific standards that must be met by all students enrolled in credit courses at the College.

When a student is on warning or probation after suspension or dismissal, the College may restrict the number of credit hours for which he/she may enroll during a quarter. The College may also establish other special conditions under which the student may enroll including regular meetings with counselors and advisors, enrollment in developmental courses, participation in career development activities and completion of assessment tests.

The following table outlines the College’s Standards of Progress Policy. The student should note there are differing credit hour guidelines for students pursuing an associate degree and students pursuing other goals. Questions regarding this table should be addressed in Student Services.