Grades and Credits

POLICY STATEMENT

Delta State University uses a standardized grading and credit system and provides students with access to their individual grades.

DEFINITIONS

None

PROCEDURES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Grades and Reports

Midterm grade reports are required for all students whose academic performance (a D or F) is less than satisfactory. Midterm grades are reported on Banner. Mid term grades are accessible for viewing on DSU Online.

Final grade reports are reported on Banner. Final grades for student viewing are posted on DSU Online. Prompt reporting of final grades to the Registrar's Office is absolutely essential to proper recording and processing of records and to permit preparation for the upcoming registration.

If an error is made in reporting a final grade, the instructor should report to the Registrar and execute a Change-of-Grade Form.

Retention of Records

Grade Books should be held by the individual faculty members, but should be available for review and interpretation by the faculty members when and if questions are raised by the student(s) involved. Such requests by students must be made by the end of the semester following the grade in question.   Grade books are to be retained by individual faculty members for a period of not less than twelve calendar months following the semester in which the course was taught.

All tests, papers, examinations, and other point sources not returned to students will be retained by faculty members for a period of time not less than six months following the semester in which the course was attempted by students.

In the event of termination of employment of a faculty member, all documents relative to grades will be presented to the respective department or division head, which will retain the documents until the above expressed time period.

The faculty encourages student review(s) of marked documents. Each faculty member reserves the right to retain any and all point source documents. Examples are term papers, research papers, literature reviews, monographs, etc.

SYSTEM OF GRADING

The grading system for academic courses at Delta State University is on a five-letter basis and makes use of the following letters: A, excellent; B, good; C, satisfactory; D, poor; F, failure. To these marks, the following quality point values are assigned: A,4; B,3; C,2; D,1; F,0. These values are termed quality points per semester hour of credit. Grading policies specific to an individual course are found in the course syllabus. The letter I indicates that work is incomplete due to providential causes that kept the student from taking the final examination. A grade of I must be removed within twelve months or the I will automatically become an F. This twelve month requirement does not apply to theses, dissertations, and other research or practicum courses, which can award the grade of IP (in progress). A grade of NS will be assigned to courses for which a student registers but fails to attend any class meetings.

SAT and ACT Advance Credit

Advanced credit for SAT and ACT scores is an option that is available to entering freshmen only, attending DSU as their first college; no transfer students. The following requirements must be met.

1. SAT score: Verbal and Math 1170 and higher; composite ACT 26 and higher.
2. Credit may be granted in these areas:
   1. English (Verbal: SAT> 650, ACT≥29) ENG 101. Students then enroll in ENG 103 (Honors English Composition)
   2. Mathematics (Math SAT> 590; ACT≥26) MAT 104, MAT 121. Students pursuing the BS degree should take MAT 105 (trigonometry) or 106 (Pre-calculus)
   3. Science (Science ACT≥26) BIO 110, PHY 110
   4. All scores must be on the same administration of the test.
   3. Student must have had at least a B average in high school.

NOTE: Some transfer schools and professional schools may not accept advanced SAT or ACT credit. If students anticipate transferring to another school, they should check requirements at those schools.

CLEP Credit

The American Council on Education (ACE) has recommended credit-granting scores for each CLEP examination. ACE guidelines will be used for awarding DSU credit. The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs must approve exceptions.

Responsible Office: Academic Affairs

RELATED DOCUMENTS

• The American Council on Education Recommended Credit Granting Score for CLEP
• Academic Council Meeting Minutes: 1/7/98, 9/26/01, 2/27/02, 7/9/02, 10/29/02, 12/3/02, 6/4/02, 1/20/04, 07/24/2012 

STATUS

Active

DATES

• Academic Council Approval: 01/07/98, 09/26/01, 02/27/02, 10/29/02, 12/03/02, 06/04/02, 01/20/04, 07/24/12