Instructional Philosophy

Austin Community College is committed to the belief that in a free and democratic society, all persons should have a continuing opportunity to develop skills and knowledge as well as to enhance their understanding of the responsibilities in that society. The college takes as its guiding educational principle the proposition that, insofar as available resources permit, instruction should be adapted to student needs. This principle requires both flexibility in instructional strategies and maintenance of high academic standards.

Academic Standards

Grading System, Semester-Credit

The following grading system is used at Austin Community College:

Grade                      Interpretation            Grade Points Per
                                                                Semester Hour

A                               Excellent                           4

B                               Good                                3

C                               Satisfactory                       2

D                               Minimum Passing              1

F                                Failing                              0

I                                Incomplete             Not Computed

IP                               In Progress           Not Computed

PF (Applies to
Development
Education Courses
Only)                           Pass/Fail              Not Computed

W                             Withdrew               Not Computed

AU                                Audit                Not Computed

CR                         Credit Given for
                              Non-Traditional
                              Transfer Work         Not Computed

X                           Not Reported by
                             Instructor                 Not Computed

The grade point average is calculated by dividing the number of hours credit into the total grade points.

Student Course Load,
Semester-Credit Programs

A full-time student is defined as a student who:

1.  Registers for twelve or more credit hours in any combination of terms within the sixteen-week semester.

2.  Registers for twelve credit hours within the eleven-week summer semester.

3.  Registers for six credit hours in the 5.5 week summer term.

A student must obtain written permission from the Campus Dean of Student Services or his or her designee before registering if the student wishes to:

1.  Register for more than eighteen hours in any combination of terms within a sixteen-week semester.

2.  Register for more than twelve hours in any combination of terms within the eleven-week summer semester.

3.  Register for more than six credit hours in a 5.5 week summer term.

Good Standing and Acceptable Academic Progress, Semester-Credit Programs and Grade Point Average.

Good Standing

Good standing is the maintenance of a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 or better (on the 4.00 scale used at Austin Community College). A 2.00 GPA is the same as a “C” average. In order to graduate from any degree or certificate program, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better. In calculating a student’s cumulative GPA, all course work attempted at Austin Community College for which a grade of A, B, C, D, or F was awarded will be considered. The student’s permanent record shall reflect two grade point averages:

1.  All college work taken at Austin Community College, including developmental courses, if the student took such courses.

2.  College work taken at Austin Community College, which excludes any developmental courses.

Incomplete Grades

The grade of “I” (for incomplete) may be given by an instructor for a course in which a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade. A grade of “I” cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester or session. The completion date is determined by the instructor, but may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the semester. The Task Force Chair or Program Coordinator will approve a change from “I” to a performance grade (A, B, C, D) for the course prior to deadline.

Consideration should be given to course load, job and family obligations when carrying an “I” grade into a new semester for completion. Grades of “I” that are not resolved by the deadline will automatically be converted to a grade of “F.”

In extreme cases, permission may be granted to carry an “I” grade for longer than the following semester or