The unit of academic credit at Cazenovia College is the semester credit. A semester credit is a unit of measurement that represents an hour of instruction that can be applied to the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of an associate or bachelor's degree or an undergraduate certificate or diploma. The College uses the Carnegie formula for semester credit-hour reporting. The Carnegie formula states that one (1) semester credit hour per 15 week semester equals 15 contact hours plus 30 hours of outside study and preparation. For studio or laboratory courses, the time in class, laboratory, or studio is doubled. Cazenovia College certifies to the state of New York that each semester credit awarded meets or exceeds the minimum amount of instructional time required. Full-time students are allowed to take between 12 and 18 credits per semester, fall and spring, for the set tuition rate.
Developmental Coursework
Based on the results of high school performance, entering students may be required to take a supplemental English and/or Mathematics courses to bring their academic skills up to college level. These courses count toward full-time status for financial and athletic eligibility, and are counted as academic credits toward the degree.
Academic Course Load
Baccalaureate degrees require a minimum of 120 credits. Students enrolled in programs requiring more than 120 credits may, on occasion, have to complete more than 15 credits per semester. Students must take a minimum of 12 credits to qualify for full-time status; however, it is recommended that students enroll in at least 15 credits per semester in order to earn the necessary credits in order to graduate within four years.
Students receiving financial aid must maintain full-time status at all times in order to remain eligible for aid. See the Financial Aid section for more information on financial aid and credits.
Students must be enrolled full time, maintaining at least 12 credits, in order to live in the College residence halls. Students dropping below 12 credits during a semester forfeit their right to live in the residence halls. Special consideration may be given in consultation with the Dean for Student Life.
Overloads
Students should discuss their credit loads with their academic advisers. Credits in excess of 18 requires the approval of the vice president for Academic Affairs and requires additional tuition at the per credit rate (see financial services section for tuition and fees).
Class Standing
Student class standing is dependent on the number of earned academic credits. This number influences financial aid eligibility as well as the courses that students are permitted to take.
Freshmen : 0-29 credits completed
Sophomores: 30-59 credits completed
Juniors: 60-89 credits completed
Seniors: 90 credits completed
Courses are offered on a 100 through 400 numerical basis.
Freshmen courses: 100 – 199
Sophomore courses: 200 – 299
Junior courses: 300 – 399
Senior courses: 400 – 499
Students may take courses one year higher than their class standing, for example, sophomores may take junior (300) level courses with appropriate preparation.
Grades
Students receive a letter grade in each course taken. Courses numbered 099 and 100D receive letter grades ("A"- "F") but are not counted as credits toward the degree. However, 100D course grades are included in the student’s term and cumulative grade point average.
In most courses, grades of "A" (outstanding), "B" (superior), "C" (satisfactory), "D" (deficient) or "F" (failing) are given. An instructor may add a plus or minus to indicate a student’s relative position. (There are no "A+" or "D-" grades.) An "I" indicates that the student will not receive a grade until the work is completed within a specified time period. "W" indicates withdrawal from a course and is not calculated into grade point averages. All courses graded Pass on a Pass/Fail basis are certified to be a "C" grade or better.
Letter grades are assigned numerical quality points for the purpose of determining a student's grade point average.
|
A |
4.0 |
|
C+ |
2.3 |
|
F |
0.0 |
|
A- |
3.7 |
|
C |
2.0 |
|
I |
0.0 |
|
B+ |
3.3 |
|
C- |
1.7 |
|
W |
0.0 |
|
B |
3.0 |
|
D+ |
1.3 |
|
|
|
|
B- |
2.7 |
|
D |
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
Course |
Grade |
Equivalent |
Credits Attempted/Earned |
Quality Points |
|
English |
A |
4.0 |
3/3 |
12.0 |
|
History |
A- |
3.7 |
3/3 |
11.1 |
|
Biology |
C- |
1.7 |
4/4 |
6.8 |
|
Art |
D |
1.0 |
3/3 |
3.0 |
|
Psychology |
F |
0 |
3/0 |
0.0 |
|
Total |
|
|
16/13 |
32.9 |
When the total number of quality points (32.9) is divided by the total number of credits attempted (16), the grade point average is found to be 2.06.
Some academic programs, and developmental and general education courses require students to achieve a minimum grade in order to successfully complete the course. The minimum grade requirements are listed on the course syllabus and in the course description section of this catalog.
Credits for courses graded Pass/Fail or credit equivalent courses are not included in grade point averages. Incomplete grades are not calculated into the GPA, when the course is re-graded the GPA will be recalculated.
Dean’s List
Eligible full-time students are placed on the Dean’s List after the end of the fall semester in December and after the end of the spring semester in May. To be eligible, a student must earn at least 12 academic credits (developmental courses do not count as academic credits) and achieve a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better for all courses attempted. No student can be on the Dean’s List with an I, F, or W for the semester. A letter sent to the student’s home address will inform him or her of their placement on the Dean’s List.
Grading Standards
Faculty has primary responsibility for assigning grades that the students earn. Grades represent an instructor’s impartial, professional evaluation of a student’s work on a given assignment or in a given course.
Misunderstanding arises occasionally when students confuse effort and efficacy. Some faculty place a high premium on effort; others look almost exclusively at results; most consider both.
At the outset of any course, the students should receive, in writing, a clear statement of the course requirements and grading standards. Students who do not receive such a statement should promptly ask their instructor to provide it.
Incomplete Grades
When a student is prevented from completing the work of a course within the regularly scheduled term because of circumstances beyond his or her control, an "I" (incomplete) grade may be awarded. It is encouraged that the instructor document to the student the scope of the missing work and any deadlines pertaining thereto. The instructor may give an extension of up to six weeks in the following term. If the student fails to complete the missing work by the end of this extension period, a grade of "F" is automatically recorded.
Grade Reports
At the end of each semester, a report of final grades will be available electronically through the College’s intranet system. Students will be notified about the date of availability by the Enrollment Services Center.
Good Academic Standing
In order to be in good academic standing students must maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average.
Grade Changes
An instructor may choose to submit a grade change after the grade has been submitted to the Registrar. If the grade is changed within 30 days of the date grades are due, the instructor may send the grade change directly to the Registrar. If the grade change is more than 30 days from when grades were due, the instructor must seek the approval from the Dean of the Faculty with the exception of incomplete grades.
Academic Warning
In order to be in good academic standing students must maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average. If you are in your freshman or sophomore year at Cazenovia College and your cumulative grade point average falls below a 2.0 at the end of the semester, your academic advisor will consult with you and work on an academic plan to achieve at least the minimum cumulative grade point average requirement. This warning becomes part of the student's official academic record.