Academic Standards

Academic Distinctions

Matriculated students are eligible for the following academic distinctions:

Dean's List

Students who demonstrate superior academic performance are named to the Dean's List at the end of each semester. Students are eligible for the Dean's List in any semester during which they successfully complete 15 or more semester hours of credit with grades no lower than C and with a grade point average of 3.00 or above, or complete 12-14 credit hours with grades no lower than C and with a grade point average of 3.20 or above.

• Non-degree course credit, such as developmental education credits, will not be calculated in determining total semester hour credit for Dean's List eligibility.
• A student with a grade below C is not eligible for the Dean's List in that semester.
• A student with an Incomplete in any course is not eligible for the Dean's List in that semester.

Graduation Honors

Students who demonstrate superior academic performance in earning their Associate degree are recognized with honors at graduation.

• "Honors" are awarded to students with a CGPA of 3.50 to 3.74 inclusive.
• "High Honors" are awarded to students with a CGPA of 3.75 to 4.0.

Credit count for graduation is based on:

1. Credits taken at Cape Cod Community College for courses graded A-F and P
2. Transfer credits (credits transfer; grades do not transfer)
3. College Level Exam Program (CLEP) and challenge exam credits.

Academic Standing

A student's academic standing is determined by the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) required to meet minimum academic standards based on the student's credit count of courses taken at Cape Cod Community College.

* Hours toward GPA (HGPA) are all letter grades (A through F) with the exception of developmental courses.

Good Standing

Students with a CGPA of 2.0 or above are considered in Good Academic Standing.

Academic Review

A student is placed on Academic Review when his/her CGPA falls below a 2.0 but above the probationary level as shown in the table above. Students placed on Academic Review will be notified in wrtiting by the Registrar's Office and be required to meet with an academic advisor prior to enrilling for the next semester.

Academic Probation

A student is placed on Academic Probation if his/her CGPA falls below the designated Probation threshold associated with their HGPA as listed in the table above. Students have two semesters of attendance to raise their CGPA to a level above Probation. Students on Academic probation will be notified in writing by the Registrar's Office and are required to meet with an academic advisor every semester before registering for classes in order to create a plan including tutoring, strategic course selection, and other changes in study habits.

Academic Dismissal

A student who does not raise his/her CGPA above Probation after two semesters of attendance will be dismissed for one calendar year. Students will be notified in writing by the Registrar's Office and may consider the Academic Appeals Procedure described in the Student Handbook. After one year of inactive status, a student may return and will be placed on Probation. After two years of inactive status, the student may choose to take advantage of the Fresh Start Option.

Readmission

A student may apply for readmission to the College following a calendar year dismissal. The student will continue to be on probation and expected to raise his/her CGPA to Good Standing within one calendar year.

A student who elects to remain inactive for two years may apply for readmission under the Fresh Start Option.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

The student's cumulative grade point average is computed at the end of each semester on the basis of grade number values which are multiplied by the number of credit hours of each course to establish quality points. The total quality points are divided by the total credit hours to determine the CGPA. All Cape Cod Community College courses are computed in the CGPA at the end of each semester. 

Note: Grades earned in Developmental Education courses are calculated into the Semester Grade Point Average, but not into the Cumulative Grade Point Average.

• A= 4
• A- = 3.67
• B+ = 3.33
• B = 3
• B- = 2.67
• C+ = 2.33
• C = 2
• C- = 1.67
• D+ = 1.33
• D = 1
• D- = 0.67
• F = 0.

The following grades are not computed in the CGPA:

• Z(ABS) – absent
• AU – audit
• I – incomplete
• P – pass
• R – repeat
• W – withdraw
• WIP – work in progress

Grades of F, however, are calculated into the grade point index. Course grades from other colleges are not computed in the Cape Cod Community College cumulative grade point average. Transfer credits for course work from other colleges, however, may be approved and applied to satisfy degree requirements, up to a maximum of 30 credits.

If a student withdraws from a class, an official withdrawal form must be filed with the Registrar to ensure accuracy of student records. If the student fails to officially withdraw, a failing grade could result.

A typical CGPA would be computed as follows: (see chart). Since the student attempted 13 hours of work and achieved 26.33 quality points, the 26.33 total quality points are divided by 13, resulting in a 2.03 CGPA.

 * No grade point equivalent, therefore not included in grade point average.

Fresh Start Option

The Fresh Start Option permits a fresh start to a student who has not been enrolled at the College for at least two years and has re-enrolled on probation, has a grade point average below 2.0, or has been academically dismissed. A student may exercise the Fresh Start Option only once.

Within this option, original grades and CGPA will remain on the transcript, but all future calculations of CGPA will include only courses taken after readmission. Prior courses taken at Cape Cod Community College (before the two-year break) will be evaluated according to the current transfer credit policy. Courses meeting the transfer credit policy will be counted as transfer credit. The transcript will identify the selection of this option. The student who wishes to re-enroll under this option may obtain an application and requirements of the Fresh Start Option from the Office of Admissions. A student must be matriculated in order to elect the Fresh Start option.

Student Status

Each student who attempts at least 12 semester hours of work is considered a full-time student at the College; a part-time student is one taking 11 semester hours or less. To matriculate, a student must submit an admissions application, be accepted, and enroll in a degree or certificate program. Students seeking a degree or certificate should matriculate as early as possible. Contact the Admissions Office for assistance.

If a student changes status at any time, the Registrar must be notified immediately to ensure correct status. Any change made from full-time to part-time status within the first two weeks of a semester may result in a partial refund. Obviously, the reverse is true, and any part-time student who schedules more than 11 semester hours must be considered a full-time student and pay for the added courses.