Grading Systems and Policies

Grading System

Letter grades are used at the college per the table listed below, and each grade has a numeric range and associated Quality Point Value. The Quality Point Value is based on a 0.00 to 4.0 range, with an “A” grade having the highest value of 4.0. Grades are used to represent the quality of work done in a course and knowledge earned, as based on the individual instructor’s standards and course objectives.

The Quality Point Value is used to determine the numeric average of semester course work or of cumulative courses and grades to date. Such a computation is known as the Quality Point Average (QPA) of the grades earned to date. The Quality Point Values of a grade in combination with a credits attempted scale, are used to establish the college’s Standards of Academic Progress. The grades presently in use by the college are:

To determine the Quality Point Average (QPA) of courses completed and grades earned, divide attempted credits into the total quality points earned: 12 credits divided into 24.00 = a QPA of 2.0. In this example, the student has a QPA of 2.0, or in other words an overall “C” average. The QPA is also cumulative. Each semester a cumulative QPA is computed by dividing the total number of credits attempted in all semesters at the college into the total number of quality points earned in all semesters at the college. Attempted credit hours include credit hours with a letter grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, F.

Grades of P, I, W, NW, and AU are not included in the attempted credit hours. When a course is repeated the higher of the two grades will be computed in the QPA; only the credit hours for the higher grade will be included in the cumulative total of attempted hours. The transcript will record each time the course has been taken. (Refer to Repeating a Course for further details.)

Incomplete Grades

Students may receive a temporary grade of Incomplete (I) from instructors when all work in a course is not satisfactorily completed and, in the judgment of the instructor, completion of the assigned tasks would allow the student to earn a passing grade in the course. If the instructor assigns an I, an electronic Incomplete Grades Form must be completed by the instructor and is maintained with the Registrar. The form will clearly outline the work to be completed and the time limit. The form must be submitted with semester grades. An instructor may change an I to a letter grade (other than a W grade) by the end of the next semester (excluding the Summer semester).

Examples: 

• If a student receives an I (Incomplete) grade in the Spring semester or in the Summer semester, and the student has not completed the work for the instructor to change it to a letter grade, it will be converted to and F at the end of the next Fall semester. 
• If a student receives an I (Incomplete) grade in the Fall semester, and the student has not completed the work for the instructor to change it to a letter grade, the grade will be converted to and F at the end of the next Spring semester.

Instructors may accept late course work only when, in their judgment, there are acceptable reasons to justify such a delay. If a final examination is missed because of student inaction, as opposed to a cancellation of class or instructor inaction, the instructor may allow a make-up if, in the judgment of the instructor, successful completion of the final examination could earn the student a passing grade.

Incomplete grades are temporarily not computed in determining the semester and cumulative QPA. Incomplete grades (I) are automatically converted to F (Failure, no credit earned) grades at the end of the next semester (excluding the Summer semester), and are computed in the student’s semester and cumulative QPA.

If, for any reason, the instructor has left Northern Essex permanently or for an extended period of time and is unavailable, the area assistant dean /dean has the authority to change the grade using the Grade Change Form. The area assistant dean/dean’s decision is based upon a waiver of any existing documentation of the Incomplete. If documentation of expected work is not available, the area assistant dean/ dean may use professional judgment to determine work to be completed and the final grade. 

The student is expected to take the initiative in seeking to complete course work necessary to change an (I) to a letter grade. An (I) cannot be changed to a W or NW.

Grade Change Policy

A student wishing to initiate a grade change request must contact the faculty member, in writing, who taught the course with this request. Grades are assigned by the faculty; therefore, it is the sole discretion of the faculty to determine if such a request is reasonable. If the faculty deems the request reasonable, he or she will be responsible for developing a plan with the student for completing all relevant assignments. A student will not be granted a grade change beyond one calendar year from the original semester that the course was taken and no extensions will be granted. Incomplete grades are not included in this policy (see section on Incomplete Grades below).

In the event that a grade change request is denied and the student believes that the original assigned grade was a result of an error of injustice, then the student has the right to take his or her complaint through the Student Code of Conduct and Grievance Procedures. This Grade Change Policy does not apply to, or affect the standards, time frame, and process that is stated in the Grade Appeal Portion of the Student Grievance Procedure.

Dean’s List Policy

Each semester students are appointed to the Dean’s List for Academic Honors if they fulfill the following requirements:

• Be a candidate for a degree (matriculated student)
• Attain a GPA of 3.3 or higher within the semester
• Carry 6 or more credit hours within a given semester
• Demonstrate overall academic progress towards earning a degree or certificate specified under the requirements of the Academic Standards and Progress Policy
• Students on Special Probation are eligible for inclusion on the Dean’s List

All students, both developmental and college level, are eligible for this distinction; and that the Dean’s List will be compiled and published for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. 

Revised: 2019-2020 Updated Academic Catalog (Effective Spring 2020)

Mid-Semester Grades

Mid-semester grades are not routinely issued at Northern Essex. All students, however, have the right to request written evaluations from their instructors at any time during the semester. The Registrar has an official Grade Verification Form that may be filled out by the instructor upon request of the student.

Student Academic Transcripts/Semester Grade Reports

All courses taken at Northern Essex Community College are maintained by the Registrar and are recorded as a single permanent record. If the student successfully completes a program of study at Northern Essex Community College, the name of the degree or certificate earned will be noted on the transcript.

Transcripts may be reviewed by students in person by presenting an acceptable form of identification, such as a driver’s license, college I.D. card, social security card, etc. Any written request for (or release of) an official transcript must contain the student’s name, address, date of birth, social security number, and dates of attendance. Transcripts will be released to other parties only if written authorization from the student has been received.

Revised 2021-2022 Academic Catalog (Effective Fall 2021)