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Grading and Academic Standards

Grading

Grades Used in GPA Computation

Grade Definition Grade Points Per Credit
A The student has excelled in meeting all the competencies established for the course. 4 points per credit
B The student has more than adequately met all the competencies established for the course. 3 points per credit
C The student has adequately met all the competencies established for the course. 2 points per credit
D The student has met the competencies, but not at an acceptable proficiency level established for the course. 1 points per credit
F The student failed to meet one or more competencies established for the course. 0 points per credit

Symbols Not Used in GPA Computation

Symbol Indication
I Incomplete
W Withdrawal
WN Withdrawal for Nonattendance
AU Audit
E Credit for Examination
O Credit for Occupational Experience
M Advanced Standing Credit at MPTC
T Advanced Standing Credit – Transfer
P Pass
PC Partially Completed

Continuing and Community Education

Symbol Indication
S Satisfactory
U Unsatisfactory

Incomplete Procedure

An incomplete “I” is a temporary grade that may be assigned to a student who is unable to complete all course requirements as scheduled in a class section. The request for an incomplete grade must be initiated by the student prior to the end date of the class. The student must be current on assignments and passing with a grade of C or better at the time an unforeseen, extenuating event occurs that prevents completion of the course requirements as scheduled.

Students initiate the incomplete request by submitting a written explanation of the extenuating circumstance(s) prompting the request with supporting documentation to their instructor. Based on the student’s current status in the class (must be passing and current on assignments) and rationale for requesting the incomplete the instructor can deny the request or recommend that an incomplete be issued. The recommendation to issue an incomplete is sent to the appropriate Associate Dean along with the incomplete request documentation and completed Incomplete Grade Plan (IGP) form. The IGP form is completed by the instructor and provides the outstanding course requirements and deadlines to complete each.

Students who have a pending incomplete grade in a course cannot register for another section of the same course until the incomplete grade is resolved. If outstanding course requirements for an incomplete aren’t submitted within the assigned deadlines the incomplete grade will change to a failing “F” grade. The deadline to resolve an incomplete grade is contingent upon the amount of outstanding requirements; however, may not exceed 30 calendar days past the class end date.

It is important to note that incomplete grades can impact financial aid, Dean’s List eligibility, and similar. Students should contact their academic advisor for additional information or assistance in completing the incomplete grade request process.

Auditing a Course

A student may audit a course to gain a general understanding of a subject matter. The student must submit a completed Audit Course Intent Form at the time of registration. A student may not change his/her registration status from audit to credit or vice versa once the course has started. All course prerequisites must be met at the time of registration. Only undergraduate (UG) level courses can be audited.

A student auditing a course must pay the same tuition and fees as a student enrolled for credit. Per the 1999 Wisconsin Act 154, individuals who are 60 years of age or older are exempt from paying tuition when auditing a course. Any age 60+ auditor must be a resident of Wisconsin and will be required to pay course material fees and all other applicable student fees.

Auditing a course requires a student to meet attendance requirements, participate in classroom activities and complete all assignments required for the course; however, they do not complete examinations. Students who complete these course requirements are assigned a grade of “AU” (audit). Students who fail to complete these course requirements receive a grade of “W” (withdrawn).

A student does not earn course credit for auditing a course. Audited courses may not be used to satisfy the prerequisites or requirements for other courses. Courses taken on an audit basis are not part of the student’s credit load for financial aid, veterans’ benefits, or for any other purpose for which the college is asked to certify a student’s enrollment status.

The college administration reserves the right to restrict the auditing of any course. Audit options are provided on a space-available basis. Students auditing a course may be administratively withdrawn (with a full refund) in the event that the course fills and students seek to enroll for credit.

Advanced Standing (Credit for Prior Learning)

Advanced standing (credit for prior learning) is the granting of credit in an associate of applied science degree or technical diploma program for knowledge or skills directly related to the program curriculum. Credit may be granted based on proficiency gained through work experience, military experience or training, business/industry training, coursework completed at other institutions or other prior learning experiences.  Advanced standing (credit for prior learning) is awarded based on the following prior learning assessment (PLA) methods:

  • Prior Learning Assessment by Exam – Challenge examinations allow students to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to a particular course. Upon successful completion of the challenge exams and payment of required fees (see fee schedule), students are awarded credit designated with a grade of “E” (examination). Students may also be awarded credit for courses by achieving an acceptable score on an exam with nationally recognized standards such as Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Official test scores must be submitted for credit to be awarded.
  • Prior Learning Assessment by Skill Demonstration – Students can be awarded credit by demonstrating knowledge and skills gained from learning activities outside of the traditional classroom such as occupational and military experience. Upon successful completion of a skills demonstration and payment of required fees (see fee schedule), students are awarded credit designated with a grade of “O” (occupational experience).
  • Prior Learning Assessment by Portfolio – Students can be awarded credit by documenting knowledge and skills gained from learning activities outside of the traditional classroom such as occupational and military experience. Upon successful review and approval of a portfolio submission and payment of required fees (see fee schedule), students are awarded credit designated with a grade of “O” (occupational experience).
  • Transfer Credit – Students are awarded credit for coursework completed at postsecondary institutions meeting accreditation requirements. Students are required to submit official transcripts for review. Students may be asked to obtain a course description and/or a course syllabus as needed to evaluate transfer credit. Transfer credit awarded is given a grade of “T” (transfer) along with the grade earned at the original institution. For example, if a student earns a “B” in a transfer course, a grade of “TB” will show on the Moraine Park transcript.

Students can earn no more than 75 percent of the total required credits required by a program through advanced standing (credit for prior learning). A minimum of 25 percent of the total program credits required in a degree, diploma or certificate program must be completed at Moraine Park Technical College.

Pass

The student successfully completed the competencies for the course. The symbol “P” counts as hours earned.

Partially Completed

The student completed required hours but did not meet all competencies for the course and is considered partially completed.

Satisfactory

The student successfully completed all required activities for the course.

Unsatisfactory

The student did not successfully complete all required activities for this course.

Repeat Courses

Students are allowed to repeat courses at Moraine Park. Health and nursing-related courses can be repeated once – all other courses can be repeated twice. All attempts remain on the student’s official transcript; however, only the most recent attempt will be used in GPA calculations and to determine credits earned and attempted. Note: All attempts are considered when determining eligibility for financial aid.

Official Transcript of Grades

  • Official transcripts of all levels of the academic record must be requested via secure online transcript ordering or in-person at the Fond du Lac campus.
  • Transcripts are not released to students with financial obligations to Moraine Park Technical College.
  • Unofficial transcripts can be viewed on myMPTC.

Grade Reports

Grades can be viewed on myMPTC. If official grades are needed, please request an official transcript from the Registrar’s Office.

Academic Standards

  • A “C” grade (or equivalent for pass/fail courses) must be attained in all courses required for program graduation.
  • Failure to maintain standards will place students on academic probation or suspension (See Academic Standing).

Academic/Attendance Requirements

The following criteria are used to evaluate a student’s academic progress:

  1. Good attendance
  2. Completing assignments to make satisfactory progress toward course completion
  3. Completing all program requirements
  4. Meeting set standards in assigned projects and reports
  5. Where applicable, demonstrating practical hands-on skills

If the instructor feels a student is not making satisfactory progress or is not regularly attending the class, he or she will work with advisors and/or Student Services. Recommendations may include a plan to improve study habits and/or attendance, to reduce class credit load, and/or to reduce the hours of employment. If recommendations are not followed, a student may be dropped from the class.

Academic Standing

Students who have attempted six or more undergraduate level courses at MPTC will establish an academic standing status based on a combination of semester and cumulative GPA calculations.

  • Students with a semester and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are in good standing.
  • Students who earn a semester GPA of less than 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. While in a probationary status students are allowed to enroll in 15 or fewer credits in a semester. Students who are on probation will return to good standing once their cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.
  • Students who earn a semester GPA of at least 2.0 but have a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 will have a status of probation continued.
  • Students will be placed on academic suspension if they fail to earn a semester GPA of at least 2.0 while in a probationary status. Students on suspension must sit out one full semester (fall or spring)

Appeal of Academic Suspension

A student on academic suspension is eligible to file an appeal if they have extenuating circumstances that can be documented. Students seeking to appeal their suspension must submit the following items to records@morainepark.edu:

  1. Letter of Appeal describing the extenuating circumstances that affect the student’s academic performance, steps taken to address/resolve the circumstances and a plan to improve academic success moving forward (including use of MPTC resources). Letter must be signed and dated. For assistance, contacting your college academic advisor is highly recommended.
  2. Supporting documentation to evidence extenuating circumstances described in the letter of appeal. Documentation for extenuating circumstances is the same as referenced under Appeal for Financial Aid Suspension.
  3. The appeal will be reviewed by the College appeals committee.
  4. The student will be notified of the decision in writing.
  5. If an appeal is denied, the student will remain academically suspended.
  6. If an appeal is granted, the student will be placed in a continued probation status. Successful appeal of an academic suspension does not guarantee reinstatement of financial aid, if applicable.
  7. The appeals committee decision is final.

Academic Referral

The Academic Referral system is designed to identify and provide feedback for students who are at risk of not completing a course. The Academic Referral system supports communication among instructors, support services, and students.

A referral is submitted to a student and a college service provider by an instructor who is concerned that a student is in academic jeopardy. If a student is not meeting the expectations in the course, we want each student to be aware. The earlier students are aware that faculty are concerned about their academic progress and success, the sooner interventions can be initiated to increase students’ achievement in the course. By referring students via the Academic Referral system, faculty convey their awareness and concern for student success. Student Services staff from the Main Office of each campus will contact students referred and connect students with appropriate support resources. In addition, alerts can also be made if an instructor is concerned about a student’s emotional and/or physical well-being or has concerns regarding academic readiness to be successful in future courses or programs.

Dean’s List

MPTC will publish a Dean’s List each semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List distinction, students must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Earn a minimum semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.5
  • Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in undergraduate-level courses
  • Cannot have a failing (F) or incomplete (I) grade in the semester AND
  • Must otherwise by in good academic standing.

In accordance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students who have elected to restrict the release of directory information are not presented in this list.

Academic Amnesty

Moraine Park acknowledges that not all students are equally prepared for a successful academic career. Academic Amnesty is intended to provide an opportunity to remove a period of poor academic performance at Moraine Park from the GPA calculation. Moraine Park recommends students attempt to improve their academic record by repeating a course(s) first and utilizing Academic Amnesty as a last step. If the course is repeated, a repeat indicator of “E” will reside next to the previously earned failing grade. The last attempt of a course will be included in the GPA calculation. Students are encouraged to discuss ramifications and alternatives for Academic Amnesty with their academic advisor.

Due to federal regulations, the Office of Financial Aid does not acknowledge Academic Amnesty when calculating eligibility for aid. Therefore, for the purpose of Financial Aid, all credit attempts are counted and will continue to affect Satisfactory Academic Progress. Academic Amnesty does not supersede Financial Aid. Transfer institutions may or may not acknowledge Academic Amnesty and may recalculate the Moraine Park GPA for their  purposes. It is at the discretion of other institutions to determine how they will interpret Academic Amnesty. Moraine Park is not responsible for the application of Academic Amnesty at other institutions or by employers.

Criteria

  • Academic performance can be forgiven after three (3) calendar years of absence from the end of the last semester of attendance to the beginning of the first semester enrolled (three years in which program coursework or coursework affecting the cumulative GPA was not attempted or completed).
  • Students can apply for Academic Amnesty upon completion of 12 credit hours of undergraduate coursework with a “C” or better grade in each course upon their return to Moraine Park, after the absence.
  • A maximum of two semesters may be requested for Academic Amnesty; semesters do not have to be consecutive. The semester(s) being requested must have a GPA under 2.0.
  • Academic Amnesty will be granted for program coursework only. A course with a passing grade (“D” or better) will not be considered for amnesty.
  • “W” = Withdrawal and “I” = Incomplete grades do not affect overall GPA but count as attempted courses. Only failing grades will be considered for Academic Amnesty.
  • Academic Amnesty will be granted only once; even if the student does not take advantage of the full-limit (two semesters) of Academic Amnesty during their initial application.
  • Academic Amnesty will be granted if all required criteria are met.

Stipulations

  • Academic Amnesty is not reversible.
  • Can be used only once in a lifetime.
  • The coursework is forgiven only for the purposes of improving the Moraine Park GPA.
  • Academic Amnesty status is not recognized by the federal government when calculating Financial Aid or Veterans’ benefits: all previous conditions for aid remain.
  • Classes removed from the GPA under Academic Amnesty will count toward attempted classes for Financial Aid purposes.
  • Forgiven classes and grades remain on the transcript with Academic Amnesty grade noted.
  • Forgiven classes cannot be applied toward graduation from Moraine Park. Only the improved GPA will be considered.
  • Honors designations will not be granted retroactively for any prior degrees or coursework earned.
  • Academic Amnesty does not affect Phi Theta Kappa eligibility for prior terms.
  • Tuition will not be refunded for any coursework that is approved for Academic Amnesty.

Academic Amnesty Procedure

  1. Students must apply for Academic Amnesty by submitting an application to the Registrar.

The form is available at the Student Service Centers on the Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac or West Bend campuses. It is also available at myMPTC.

  • The student will indicate their understanding and full agreement with the Academic Amnesty policy and procedure by signing the application.
  • An application must be received no later than the fall term prior to a spring graduation or a decision will not be guaranteed in time for degree conferment. Fall graduates should
    submit this application no later than the end of the summer term.
  • The Registrar will review the application to determine if the identified criteria are met. If Academic Amnesty is granted, the Registrar will amend the academic record.
  • The Registrar will communicate the decision in writing to the applicant whether the request is approved or denied.
  • All decisions are final.

Final Grade Appeal

The purpose of the final grade appeal process is to provide a vehicle and structure for students to appeal final course grades. The grade appeal procedure only applies to final grades and not individual graded assignments.

Faculty members have the authority to establish course requirements and standards of performance within the college’s established curriculum process. It is the responsibility of the faculty to articulate and communicate course requirements and grading standards to students at the beginning of each course via the syllabus. Instructors must apply all grading criteria uniformly and in a timely manner. Final grades submitted to the Registrar’s Office are presumed to be accurate and final.

All final grade appeals must be initiated by the student within thirty (30) calendar days of the grade being available via myMPTC. The process for a Final Grade Appeal is outlined in the Moraine Park Technical College Student Handbook.