THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY
ACADEMIC STANDARDS

1. THE CCBC GRADING SCALE

GRADE	QUALITY POINTS	DESCRIPTION
A	4	Excellent
B	3	Good Work
C	2	Satisfactory Work
D	1	Poor Work, but passing.
		Some courses may require that students earn a “C” to enter a program or progress toward a degree. Some transfer institutions require that students earn a “C” to meet program requirements.
F	0	Non completion of course requirements or unsatisfactory completion (failure).
S	-	Satisfactory completion of a zero credit course
R	-	Progress toward completion of course requirements or objectives (credit and zero credit courses)
U	-	Unsatisfactory performance in a zero credit course
I3	-	Incomplete
W4	-	Withdrawal (see Withdrawal Policy)
AU2	-	Audit
CE	-	Credit by examination

 "AU," "CE," and “W” are not grades as such, but are used to identify a student's status for record-keeping purposes. No quality points are assigned to these, indicators.

1. The “R” Grade.

The "R" grade represents a specific amount of content or progress in the development of skills. This grade can be used for self-paced, developmental, and other courses as agreed upon by Community College of Baltimore County faculty in the appropriate discipline

2. AUDIT

A student may register for any class as an auditor. Course work and examination are not required and no credit is awarded. The student is expected to attend class regularly and pay the required tuition and fees. Some courses may limit the number of times an audit may occur. A student may elect to change his or her registration from credit to audit for any course during the first ten (10) weeks fo a regular semester or within the first two-thirds of winter, summer, or late start classes. After the time limit a student is permitted to change from credit to audit only under extraordinary circumstance with written approval of the Instructional Administrator responsible for the course. A student who enrolls in a credit course may elect to change his or her registration from credit to audit with the first 20% of the course.

3. INCOMPLETE

An instructor may assign an incomplete grade if the student had made satisfactory progress through most of the course but needs additional time to complete remaining requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to request an “I” grade before the final examination period. Student and instructor must agree on the precise conditions for completion of the course requirements. The course must be completed within 30 working days alter the beginning of the next regular semester (fall or spring). If the course is not completed by that time, the grade will automatically change to an "F unless the instructor allows an extension. Students must complete a course and receive a grade before that course fulfills a prerequisite for another course.

4. Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from any course during the first test (10) weeks of a regular semester or within the first two‑thirds of winter, summer, or late start classes. To withdraw from a course the student must complete a “drop” form which is available in the Records Office. After the time limit students are permitted to withdraw only under extraordinary circumstances with written approval of the Chief Academic Officer.

II. QUALITY POINT AVERAGE

The Quality Point Average is determined by multiplying the credit hours of each course by the number of points corresponding to the final grade for the course. The total of all such points for the period is then decided by the number of credit hours for that period. This average is computed only for credit courses.

III. REPEATED COURSE

Students may repeat a course taken for credit only once without permission. When a student repeats a course, only the higher grade is computed into the Quality Point Average. All grades will remain on the student’s transcript.

Before a student is permitted to register for a course for a third time, the student must have the permission of the Instructional Administrator responsible for the course.

Before a student may repeat a developmental course that s/he has failed twice, the student’s record must be reviewed by a support team which will make recommendations regarding enrollment.

IV. SCHOLASTIC HONORS

1. DEAN'S LIST

At the end of each fall and spring semester, the Dean’s List is published to recognize those students who have achieved outstanding academic success. To qualify, a student must have earned a quality point average of at least 3.5 over a minimum of the last twelve (12) credit attempted since the last review and not have a “D” or “F” during that period.

2. CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP IN PHI THETA KAPPA

A student must have completed 12 credits of college-level course work with a minimum Q.P.A. of 3.5.

3. HONORS PROGRAM CERTIFICATION

a. Students who have a Q.P.A. Of 3.5 and who have completed a minimum of 15 credit hours in Honors will receive an Honors Program Certificate of Completion.

b. Students who qualify for an Associate’s degree who have a Q.P.A. Of 3.5 and how have completed a minimum of 15 credit hours in Honors will be recognized at graduation as having completed the Honors Program.

4. GRADUATION WITH HONORS

Students who qualify for the associate’s degree and have a quality point average of 3.40 to 3.59 will be graduated cum laude; those from 3.60 to 3.79 will be graduated magna cum laude; and those from 3.80 to 4.00 will be graduated summa cum laude.

V. FINAL EXAMINATIONS

The last week of each semester (Fall and Spring) is used exclusively for final examinations or other concluding instructional activities in accordance with the official schedule and course syllabi. Students who do not report for a scheduled final examination may be given a failing grade for the examination, based on the instructions found in the instructor's syllabus.

Vl. STATEMENT OF ATTENDANCE

All students are expected to attend class regularly and punctually to derive maximum benefit from instruction and to contribute to the learning process in the classroom. Each faculty member will determine the attendance policy appropriate for meeting each course’s objective, and will monitor them. This attendance policy will be communicated in writing to the students at the beginning of the course. At the faculty member’s discretion, absence from the class may be the basis for academic failure.

VII. STATEMENT OF ACADEMIC HONESTY

Academic honesty is expected of all students. Work submitted by students as their own must be their own, and materials take from any other source must be clearly identified as such. Falsification of data, plagiarism, copying from others in class, obtaining advance information about exams, and other violations of academic honesty are not acceptable. Records of cheating and plagiarism are on file in the Office of the Chief Academic Officer. The usual penalty for academic dishonesty is failure of the paper or exam or failure in the course, as determined by the instructor. The instructor may recommend a more severe penalty, such as dismissal from a program or from the College. A student may appeal any action taken under this policy.

VIII. ACADEMIC ACTION

Students at CCBC are expected to take responsibility for their own progress. However, the college, in support of a students development, periodically reviews the academic progress the student is making. The primary purpose of this review is to identify and assist students who are seemingly making little or no progress. The primary purpose of Academic Action policies is on intervention efforts and services throughout the semester to facilitate students’ successful academic progress through completion of credits. All active student records which contain twelve (12) new credits will be examined at the end of each enrollment period. A student who is not making satisfactory progress will be subject to academic probation or academic dismissal, as outline below.

A. ACADEMIC PROBATION

The following scale is used as a guide by the Chief Academic Officer in making decisions concerning a students’ academic status: 

Total Hours Attempted	Minimum QPA Required
12-18	1.6
19-24	1.7
25-30	1.8
31-36	1.9
37-60	2.0

 To be removed from probation, a student must achieve the minimum QPA above. Students on probationary status are encouraged to seek guidance from a counselor or advisor before registering for courses. During the regular fall and spring semester, probationary students may register for up to three courses for the maximum of seven (7) credits. During any single summer session, winter session, or late start session, probationary students may register for up to two courses for a maximum of four (4) credits. Students on probation who wish to register for additional courses or credits beyond these maximus MUST interview with a counselor or advisor prior to the beginning of classes and obtain written permission.

B. ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

Students can achieve the minimum Q.P.A. listed below will be continued on academic probation. A student on probation who does not achieve the minimum QPA below will be academically dismissed from the college.

Total Hours Attempted	Minimum QPA Required
12-18	1.4
19-24	1.5
25-30	1.6
31-36	1.7
37-42	1.8
43-48	1.9
49-60	2.0

 Regardless of QPA, a student will not be dismissed at the end of any review period during which at least twelve (12) semester hours have been completed with an average of 2.0 or better. Any student may appeal a dismissal for academic reasons by immediately contacting the Office of the Chief Academic Officer. If the appeal is acted upon favorably, the student will be reinstated to probationary status. The appeal process MUST be completed before the start of the next regular semester (fall or spring). Once the semester has begun, no appeals of academic dismissal will be heard and academically dismissed students will not be permitted to register for classes again until two regular semesters (fall and spring) have elapsed.

However in some instances, dismissed students may be admitted by appeal and permitted to enroll in a restricted program. Letters of appeal should accompany the application for readmission, as well as any other pertinent or required documentation. Students who have been dismissed for disciplinary reason should address appeals to the Dean of Students in care of the Office of Records and Registration.

IX. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR DEGREE/CERTIFICATE

To receive a degree from the Community College of Baltimore County a student must complete the last 15 credits of the program or a total of 31 credits of the program at CCBC. To receive a certificate, a student must complete a minimum of 25% of the required credits at the College.

X. Requirements FOR GRADUATION AND Awarding OF CERTIFICATES

1. ASSOCIATE DEGREES

Students wishing to earn Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees must meet certain requirements for the receipt of the award. To qualify for the Associate Degrees, students must: 

a. Complete the genera education requirements;

b. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of study in college level courses in an approved AA, AS, or A.A.S. degree program;

c. Achieve a QPA of at least 2.0 (“C”)

d. Earn the last 15 credits of a program (or a minimum of 31 credits in the program) at the institution awarding the degree;

e. Have met financial and academic obligations to the institution;

f. Submit an application for graduation to the appropriate office by the published deadline.

2. CERTIFICATES

A certificate is awarded to students enrolled in designated career/occupational programs. To qualify for a Certificate, students must: 

1. Complete the curriculum designated in a particular certificate program;

2. Maintain a minimum QPA of 2.0 (“C”) average for the courses listed in the certificate program;

3. Earn at least 25% of the course required in the certificate at the institution awarding the certificate;

4. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing, and math;

5. Have met financial and academic obligations to the institution;

6. Submit an application for award of the certificate to the appropriate office by the published deadline.

Xl. ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING

Students who have acquired college-level learning through training or experience have the option of earning credits for these experiences or using these experiences as substitutes for course prerequisites. Program coordinators and discipline chairs may be consulted for course review, portfolio assessment, and credit evaluation. In some cases, CLEP results may be used to earn credits or substitute for course prerequisites. Students may also earn credits for educational programs taken during military service and through articulation agreements with other schools and institutions. No more, than thirty (30) credits may be earned through assessment of prior learning. No more than fifteen (15) of the thirty may be granted based on examination developed by the institution or on portfolio assessments.

XII. ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT

A. All certificate or degree-seeking students are required to have their skills assessed in reading, writing, and mathematics. Assessment is strongly recommended at the time of entrance to the college, but students may take up to six credit hours before being assessed unless they are registering for a course which has a developmental prerequisite. In that case, they will be required to be assessed and placed before registering for that course.

B. Auditors will be exempt from the assessment/placement policy unless they change their registration to credit.

C. Students who attend the college for the purpose of "personal enrichment" as indicated on their registration form will not be required to be assessed unless they are registering for a course which has a developmental prerequisite.

D. Initial placement will be based on student performance on uniform instruments of each skills area or on documented previous college work. Academic departments in English, reading and mathematics will be responsible for jointly determining the criteria for initial placement in their areas, (including the use of the SAT), through quantitative analysis and consultation with other involved areas.

E. SAT scores may be used for initial placement. The use of SAT scores will be in accord with statewide agreements. Scores must be less than two years old.

F. Students will have the right to appeal placement decisions through a structured appeals process at each campus. Academic departments will be responsible for final placement decisions.

G. Completion of the lower level of reading, as determined through the meeting of exit criteria, will be the minimum prerequisite in reading for any course fulfilling a general education requirement.