Academic Policies

Grades and Grade Point Policies

Course grades are based on evaluations of students’ mastery of course objectives. Each instructor’s grading policy will be published in the course syllabus and approved by the dean in advance of the first day of class. A student is responsible for all work assigned during the course and must discuss any issues with completing the required course work with the professor.

Grading Policy

American Sentinel University will issue an official transcript of the final grades earned on all courses.

Undergraduate courses: Undergraduate students will receive credit for courses in which they earn a grade of D or higher. However, if a student’s GPA falls below 2.0, he or she may be placed on academic probation.

Graduate courses: Graduate students will receive credit for courses in which they earn a grade of B- or higher. Credit will not be granted for grades of C+ or below. Students with a B- may proceed, but must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0. Students who earn a grade of C or lower in a graduate course must repeat the course and earn at least a B in order to complete the program of study.

Doctor of Nursing Practice courses: Doctoral students will receive credit for courses in which they earn a grade of B or higher. Credit will not be granted for grades of B- or below. Students who earn a grade of B- or lower in a doctoral course must repeat the course and earn at least a B to complete the program of study.

Grade Point Averages

A student’s grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the number of credit hours for which grades were awarded. The grade points are calculated by multiplying the grade quality points for the grade earned for each course by the number of credit hours associated with course. A student’s overall academic average is stated in a cumulative grade point average (CGPA), which is based on all grades and credit hours earned to date. Both GPA and CGPA only include classes that are required for graduation in the student’s current program of study (including electives) and exclude developmental courses and any other courses considered to be ineligible (for application toward graduation requirements) by licensing, state or provincial authorities. The CGPA shows whether a student is meeting the standards of academic progress, is eligible for graduation and eligible for academic honors. American Sentinel grades on a 4.0 (unweighted) GPA scale.

GPA Calculation Example

Course Credits Grade earned Grade points

Course	Credits	Grade Earned	Grade Points
American History	3	B	3 x 3 = 9
Art History	3	C	3 x 2 = 6
Intro to Computer Science	3	A	3 x 4 = 12
Adv. Database Systems	3	C	3 x 2 = 6
	12		33

 

 

 

 

 

To calculate the semester GPA, add the total grade points, and divide by the number of credit hours attempted.

For this example, the semester GPA equals 33/12 = 2.75.

Grade Reports

Students have access to their grades at any time during their program. Throughout each course, they will be able to keep track of their progress and check assignment due dates, examination dates and grades.

Generally, students are not allowed to resubmit assignments that have not been successfully completed. In some situations, and subject to the approval of the course professor, a student may be given the opportunity to resubmit an assignment. In extenuating circumstances, some students may be given an extension of the deadline for an assignment. Deadline extensions must be approved by the course professor.

To graduate, undergraduate students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and graduate and doctoral degree students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Failing Grade

An undergraduate student who receives a failing grade of F in a required course must repeat the course and receive a passing grade at American Sentinel University. A course for which an F is awarded is included in the semester or term GPA and cumulative GPA. When the student repeats the course and earns a passing grade, the F will no longer be calculated in the cumulative GPA.

Incomplete grade

An incomplete grade of I signifies that not all required course work was completed during the term of enrollment. An I grade is assigned only when all of the following conditions are met:

• The student has been making satisfactory progress in the course, as determined by the instructor.
• The student is unable to complete some course work because of unusual circumstances that are deemed acceptable by the dean.

If a student meets the above criteria, he/she may be granted an additional 14 calendar days to complete a course (beyond the official published last day of the course). If the student completes the course, he/she earns a letter grade. If not, the student receives a grade of I.

Credits associated with courses in which an I grade is received count toward total semester credits attempted and minimum cumulative credits completed at American Sentinel. An I grade does not impact the calculation of cumulative GPA. Credits associated with courses in which an I grade is received will count toward the maximum time frame for completion (see the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy).

Audit Grade

Students are not allowed to audit courses at American Sentinel University.

Pass/Fail Grading

American Sentinel University does not utilize pass/fail grades in courses for academic credit.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

The cumulative GPA (CGPA) is the overall cumulative academic average achieved by a student. The CGPA becomes permanent at graduation, except for authorized grade changes. In addition:

• If a course is repeated, the highest grade is used for the CGPA. Courses may be taken for credit after proficiency or transfer credit has been awarded. The grade earned is then used for both the term GPA and CGPA.
• Transfer credit may be granted for courses taken at other institutions; however grade points earned at other institutions are not included in the CGPA. However, the course and the grade earned remain on the transcript in the term the course was completed.
• A semester/term GPA is not affected by subsequent course repeats or other adjustments to the CGPA.

Academic Appeals

Certain academic actions may be appealed, including:

• Academic warning and probation
• Academic dismissal
• Course grades

Academic appeals must be in writing and must be submitted to the dean prior to the end of the add/drop period of the term. Written appeals will be considered by American Sentinel’s provost or the Grievance and Appeals Committee. Written appeals must contain:

• The student’s name and student ID number
• The date of appeal
• The student’s program of study
• The last date of attendance (for inactive students)
• The reason and nature of the appeal, including the decision or action that is the cause of the appeal
• The specific relief that is sought by the appeal
• An explanation and documentation of any extenuating circumstances
• The student’s signature

It is the student’s responsibility to meet the appeal deadline by the end of the add/drop period of the new term. The provost or the Grievance and Appeals Committee will take action on the appeal within five business days. Written documentation of the final appeal disposition will become a part of the student’s academic file. The student will be notified in writing and will be given a copy of the final disposition, which must be signed and dated. Decisions of provost or the Grievance and Appeals Committee are final.

Appeals may be made only under extraordinary or unique circumstances. The student may be required to meet certain conditions to continue or resume enrollment. Appeals granted with conditions must clearly describe the conditions and any time requirements within which they must be fulfilled. Tracking and follow up on the conditions of the appeal must be recorded and placed in the student’s file. A student who fails to meet appeal conditions is subject to immediate dismissal.

Grade Appeals Process

Students that have a disagreement with how an assignment or examination is graded should contact the appropriate faculty member involved. If the instructor discovers an error in grading, the student must return the entire assignment or examination. If warranted, the grade for that assignment or examination may be changed. If so, the instructor must notify the registrar to change the grade in the student’s record. If a grade change is not warranted, the instructor provides clarification to the student, explaining why a change will not be made. If the student does not agree with the instructor’s change or explanation, the student may appeal this decision as part of an appeal of the final course grade as described below.

Students may appeal final grades if they follow the following process:

1. The student must first appeal by email to the faculty member within 30 calendar days after receiving notification of the final grade. The student must clearly state the specifics of his/her appeal. The faculty member will respond to the student by email within seven calendar days.
2. If the student does not agree with the faculty member’s decision, the student may appeal to the dean by email within 14 calendar days of receiving the faculty member’s response or, if no response was received, within 14 days of when the student originally sent the appeal. The student should forward a copy of his/her original appeal, the faculty member’s response and any additional information that the student believes to be pertinent.
3. If the dean was the faculty member involved, then the appeal should be sent to the provost.
4. The responsible administrative officer (dean or provost) may ask for additional information from the faculty member or student and should communicate the decision to the student by email, including rationale, as soon as possible but within 30 days of receipt of the appeal. All decisions are final.

A student’s failure to follow the steps outlined above will disqualify any appeal. A student’s status does not change during an appeal.