A grade of "I" (incomplete) may be issued to any student not completing all required course work by the end of the term. If the incomplete (I) is not removed by the tenth school day of the next term, it will be recorded as a failure (F) on the official transcript of the student.  Under extenuating circumstances, a student may submit a Request for Extended Incomplete Grade form.  Depending on the circumstances, an extension may be granted.  If a student received a grade of “I” in a course which is a prerequisite to other courses, a final grade must be earned in order to determine eligibility for the other course(s).
A grade of “IP” (in progress) may be issued to any student whose course is not complete by the end of the term.  This grade designation is intended for self-paced courses that may begin at any point during the term and for courses that are scheduled to end after the standard end of term.  Course work should be complete by the end of the following term.  If a student receives a grade of “IP” in a course which is a prerequisite to other courses, a final grade must be earned in order to determine eligibility for the other course(s).
A grade of "W" indicates the student withdrew from school on or prior to midterm.

A grade of “WF” indicates the student withdrew from school after midterm. A grade of “WF” will be calculated in the GPA as an “F”.

A grade of "AU" indicates the student audited the course. A student is permitted to audit a course/program and attend classes without meeting all admission requirements for the course/program and without receiving credit.

Grades are based upon quality and quantity of achievement in both the classroom and the laboratory. Students failing to maintain a standard of satisfactory progress will be withdrawn from Southwest Georgia Technical College.

Satisfactory Academic Standing
Students must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be in satisfactory academic standing. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation for the next academic semester. The semester GPA must be 2.0 or above at the end of the probationary quarter to maintain satisfactory status. Failure to maintain satisfactory status during a probationary semester will result in dismissal. A student dismissed due to academic deficiency may reapply for admission after waiting one (1) full semester. Upon readmission, the student must make a 2.0 or above each semester to maintain satisfactory standing or will be dismissed.

Any student dismissed from a program for the second time due to academic deficiency cannot reapply to that program but may apply for another program in another department. Students who enroll in a second or subsequent program will have their quality points and credits earned in one program transferred to the new program for all certificate, diploma, or degree credit classes.

Overall GPA must be 2.0 or better before graduation can occur. Graduation grade point average is calculated only on those courses required for graduation. When a course is taken more than once, the final attempt will be used in calculating the grade point average for graduation.


Work Ethic
Each student will receive a work ethic grade each semester. The work ethic grade will be reflected in the course grade report and determined by evaluating such factors as attitude, attendance, conduct, appropriate dress, cooperation, participation, and work habits. The work ethic grade does not affect GPA but may affect employment opportunities. Work ethic grades are reflected and explained on student transcripts and course grade reports.

Evaluation of student work ethics uses a rating scale based upon a definition of the expected behavior of a good employee. Points are assigned to evaluate each of the ten work ethics traits as follows:
Exceeds Expectations = 3 points
Meets Expectations = 2 points
Needs Improvement = 1 point
Unacceptable = 0 points


Allied Health Education Academic Requirements
To fulfill the academic requirements of all allied health programs, a minimum grade of "C" is required for progress from specified courses to more advanced courses. The grading system of all allied health education programs establishes passing grades that document student achievement of course competencies at levels acceptable for job entry. Students not attaining the minimum grades references above will be required to repeat the course(s) and achieve the minimums prior to continuing in the curriculum.

Students preparing to enter (taking courses) for a diploma or associate degree Allied Health program must successfully complete with a grade of “C” or higher all ALHS, science and math courses within five (5) years and all prerequisites within two attempts. All academic history within the last five (5) years, whether on campus or as a transfer student, will be considered when evaluating the number of attempts. Anyone failing to meet this criteria will be counseled to apply to a program that does not require the failed ALHS or prerequisite(s). Any student accepted into an Allied Health program who fails to attain a minimum grade of “C” in any occupational course will be required to repeat the course. Any Allied Health student admitted to a program who fails to attain a minimum grade of “C” in an occupational course in two separate courses will be withdrawn from the program and will not be allowed to re-apply to that Allied Health program. Two block failures in Practical Nursing prevents readmission to the Practical Nursing program at SWGTC. (One Block Failure equals failure in both a PNSG didactic course and its matching PNSG clinical course.) This policy is inclusive of all transfer students also attempting readmission after a clinical failure at any other college. However, the student may apply to another Allied Health program. A student returning for a second attempt in an Allied Health program will be admitted based on seat availability and meeting competitive admissions requirements.  Please be aware that Allied Health programs may have additional requirements or constraints placed upon them by accrediting or licensing agencies. Students will be made aware of any additional requirements or constraints by program faculty.


Allied Health Dismissal due to Critical Incident / Sentinel Event
Any student dismissed from an Allied Health program due to a critical incident / sentinel event will not be allowed to enter any other Allied Health program.  Students dismissed in this manner will receive counseling for a career field outside of Allied Health.  Students will be provided the definition of Critical Incident / Sentinel Event prior to starting clinical rotations by the Program Faculty.

Allied Health Education Clinical Demerit System
Students enrolled in select Allied Health programs at Southwest Georgia Technical College will be subject to the following additional academic policies while in any clinical affiliate.

Assignment of Demerits

Instructors are provided the discretion to assign one to three demerits for the following behavior, with an increase in the assigned demerits for repeated offenses:

• failure to notify instructor/supervisor of absence or extended tardy
• failure to comply with uniform code (each department's uniform code will differ)
• performance of previously acquired competencies at less than acceptable standards
          (as indicated by competency check-offs)
• unprofessional conduct

Gross Misbehavior, including carelessness regarding patient care or equipment use, may prompt a committee review for the assignment of three or more demerits.  The committee review may consist of the following individuals: Program Faculty, Program Clinical Adjuncts, the Dean for Academic Affairs, and a Representative from the Clinical Affiliate where the Gross Misbehavior occurred.

                Dismissal due to Demerits
               
An accumulation of nine (9) or more demerits will result in automatic dismissal from the program. Any action that results in the assignment of three (3)  or more demerits will result in the loss of one (1) letter grade in the respective course. Demerits assigned to students are cumulative through the length of the program (being retained from semester to semester)

Automotive Technology Demerit System
Students enrolled in the Automotive Technology Program at Southwest Georgia Technical College will be subject to a demerit system. The following infractions will result in the listed number of demerits being earned. The following list is not inclusive as other violations may be unique to the situa­tion or may qualify as unprofessional behavior. Demerits will be subtracted from the final average for the course(s) during which the demerits were earned.

Responsibility
The Vice President for Academic Affairs has the overall responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented.