Grades, Honors and Academic Standing

GRADES

Grade Point Average (GPA) or Scholastic Index

The semester credit hours earned in each course are multiplied by the weight of the grade received. The sum of these products divided by the total semester hours taken by the student during a semester is the scholastic index or grade point average (GPA). Courses in which advanced standing credit is given for work taken in other institutions of higher education, or in which grades of IC, W, WA, WI, S, U or V are received, are omitted in determining the scholastic index.

The GPA includes all courses taken at the Institute and Colleges of the Fenway courses. Exclusion of courses from the the GPA may occur with one, or any combination, of the following actions:

• the student is readmitted to the Institute;
• the student repeats a grade of C-, D+, D or F;
• the student changes his or her program and the course is not applied to the new curriculum's GPA

The GPA is used for graduation (a GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation), determining academic probation, satisfactory academic progress, financial aid and eligibility for athletics. For courses in which a grade of C-, D+, D or F is received, students may repeat that course only once. After the course has been retaken, the first grade is omitted from the GPA and replaced by the second grade. For example, if a student retakes a course to improve a C-, D+, or D grade and receives an F, the F grade will replace the C-, D+, or D grade. Courses passed with a grade of C or higher may not be retaken for the purpose of improving the overall program GPA.

For courses taken that are not part of a student's program, the grade will still be used in the grade point average. This includes all prerequisite courses taken at Wentworth. If a Wentworth degree or certificate has been earned, the grade point average posted for that degree will be factored into the new curriculum’s grade point average.

Note: Since the Fall 2004 semester, students who have earned an initial grade of C-minus ("C-") or less will be allowed to repeat that grade only once and the repeat grade wil be used in the student's program GPA calculation. Grades of "C" or higher may not be repeated for the purpose of changing a grade to improve overall program GPA.

Although a student is considered in good standing with 64 credits and a 1.85 grade point average in the sophomore year, a GPA of 2.0 is required to receive an associate degree.

Grade Reports

Grade reports are made available to Day and DPCS students at the end of the fall and spring mid-semester period on the Web. Final grades are mailed at the end of all semesters to DPCS students. The mid-semester grade is temporary and indicates a student’s progress in a course; the final grade is permanent. Instructors submit grades in accordance with the dates published in the Wentworth Academic Calendar. Any questions or issues regarding grade procedures should be referred to the Registrar.

Grading System

The symbols used in the grading system are defined as follows:

Numerical
Grade	Definition	Weight Definition
A A-	Student learning and accomplishment far exceeds published objectives for the course/test/assignment and student work is distinguished consistently by its high level of competency and/or innovation.	4.00 3.67	96-100 92-95
B+ B	Student learning and accomplishment goes beyond what is expected in the published objectives for the course/test/ assignment and student work is frequently characterized by its special depth of understanding, development and/or innovative experimentation.	3.33 3.00	88-91 84-87
BC+ C	Student learning and accomplishment meets all published objectives for the course/test/assignment and student work demonstrates the expected level of understanding, and application of concepts introduced.	2.67 2.33 2.00	80-83 76-79 72-75
	D - 12

C-	Student learning and accomplishment	1.67	68-71
D+	based on the published objectives for	1.33	64-67
D	the course/test/assignment were met	1.00	60-63
	with minimum passing achievement
F	Student learning and accomplishment	0.00	Less
	based on the published objectives for		than 60
	the course/test/assignment were not
	sufficiently addressed nor met
S	Satisfactory	0.00
U	Unsatisfactory	0.00
V	Waived	0.00
W	Withdrew (Student drops course)	0.00
WA	Withdrawn/Attendance
	(instructor withdraws student
	for non-attendance)	0.00
WI	Withdrawn/Administrative
	(Institute withdraws	0.00
	student for non-payment)
IC	Incomplete (Temporary)	0.00
NR	Grade Not Reported by Instructor	0.00

1   Wentworth does not accept "P" (pass) grades. There is no audit option for Wentworth courses. Audits taken at other academic institutions will not appear on a student's record.

Incomplete grades

The grade of IC, which represents incomplete work, is a temporary grade assigned only after a Request for Change of Grade or Incomplete Grade, with supporting documentation, is approved by both the instructor and the curricular Department Head/DPCS Director. Instructors may obtain these forms in the Student Service Center.

A grade of “incomplete” may be issued only if the student has completed the majority of the work in a course and has a medical or personal emergency that would prevent him/her from completing the work by the time grades are due. It is not to be used to allow students who mismanage their time to turn in work late.

Although a student may have missed a final examination or be deficient in other required work, an appropriate letter grade will be assigned in the absence of an approved petition. Any student missing a final exam should immediately contact his or her instructor.

If a permanent grade has not been recorded by the following mid-semester for fall and summer courses, or by the following fall mid-semester for spring courses, the grade of F will automatically be entered on the student’s transcript. Failed courses must be retaken at Wentworth.

Disputing Grades/Change of Grade

The procedure to dispute a grade is outlined in “Student Grievance Procedure" in this section. It is important that students understand that they must first speak with the instructor of the course in which the grade is disputed, then proceed to the curricular Department Head or DPCS Director, before finally proceeding to the Assistant to the Provost, Chair of the Academic Appeals Committee.

SPECIAL GRADING POLICIES

Design Studio Courses

Students in the programs of the Departments of Architecture, and Design & Facilities must achieve a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in design studio courses if the final grade in the previous design studio is less than a "C" (2.0). Refer to Architecture (Page B-11) or Design and Facilities (Page B-34) for specific courses and to the respective department offices.

Retention of Student Graded Work

All work submitted for grades is the property of Wentworth Institute of Technology.

ACADEMIC HONORS

Full-time Day degree program students (carrying at least 12 credits) and Professional and Continuing Studies degree program students (carrying at least 6 credits) who achieve an index of 3.50 or better, with all grades at least “C” (2.0) or better for the semester, are recognized for their scholastic achievement by placement on the Dean’s List.

Students who satisfy the prescribed requirements are eligible for membership in the national honor societies of Alpha Rho Chi (Architecture students only), Sigma Beta Delta (Management students only) or Tau Alpha Pi.

Academic achievement will be recognized at graduation for students who have met the following criteria:

summa cum laude 3.75-4.00 grade point index

magna cum laude 3.50-3.74 grade point index

cum laude 3.25-3.49 grade point index

Effective in May 2008, the criteria for recognizing academic achievement at graduation will be:

summa cum laude 3.9-4.00 grade point index

magna cum laude 3.75-3.89 grade point index

cum laude     3.50-3.74 grade point index

ACADEMIC STANDING – Undergraduate Day Programs
Effective 01 May 2009

Students are expected to work continuously towards their academic degrees. To maintain Good Academic Standing students must fulfill two requirements:

1) a minimum cumulative GPA based on the following table, and

Class	Min GPA	Credit Hour Range
Freshman	1.70	0-31
Sophomore	1.85	32-63
Junior	2.00	64-95
Senior	2.00	96+
5th Year	2.00	140+

2) a minimum completion of 66% of the credits attempted in any given semester.

At the end of each semester the Registrar identifies students who do not meet the criteria for Good Academic Standing. The Academic Department Heads, the Office of the Provost, and the Registrar review this list.

Good Academic Standing is not the same as Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid. Refer to page F-22 for determining financial aid eligibility.

ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students not meeting the criteria for Good Academic Standing will be put on Academic Probation for the next academic semester. A student who does not meet either of the two criteria for Good Academic Standing for a second successive semester will be academically dismissed from the Institute.

In addition, any day student that is put on Probation for a second non-consecutive semester in his/her academic career at Wentworth may be subject to academic dismissal. The Office of the Provost will notify students.

A student on Academic Probation will not be eligible to participate Varsity Athletics or hold leadership positions in extracurricular activities. Students who are placed on Academic Probation will be notified in writing. Students on Academic Probation are required to meet with their advisor and attend at least one Probation Workshop sponsored by the Center for Teaching & Learning.

Students on Probation are encouraged to take advantage of the resources of the Institute including their academic advisor, the Center for Teaching & Learning, and the Counseling Center, to develop strategies for success in their academic life.

Students who take classes at Wentworth (including College of the Fenway courses) in a third (non-scheduled) semester for the purpose of improving their GPA may petition to have their probationary status reviewed following the posting of their final grades in the classes. Petitions should be addressed to the Office of the Provost in care of the Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning. (Please note that transfer credit grades are not factored into your GPA.)

DISMISSAL for ACADEMIC REASONS
A student on Academic Probation who does not meet either of the two criteria for Good Academic Standing for a second consecutive semester will be dismissed from the Institute for academic reasons.

In addition, any student who is put on probation for a second non-consecutive semester in their academic career at Wentworth may be subject to academic dismissal.

Students will be notified in writing that they have been academically dismissed at the conclusion of each semester. Students who have been academically dismissed may appeal this decision in writing to the Academic Appeals Committee in care of the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning within two weeks from the mailing date of notification from the Registrar.

ACADEMIC WARNING
Students whose semester GPA does not meet the minimum GPA for their class in the chart above will be put on Academic Warning for the next academic semester. Academic Warnings are intended to make students aware that they are in jeopardy of falling into probationary status if improvements are not made.

Students on Academic Warning are encouraged to meet with their advisors to discuss methods to improve their GPA.

FULL-TIME vs. PART -TIME STATUS
Any student registered for twelve (12) credits or more is considered a Full-time Student. See "Student Status (Day Programs)" on page D-9 for further information.

Students must be full-time to:
            • live in the residence halls
            • receive most types of financial aid
            • participate in varsity athletics
International students must be full-time to maintain valid F-1 Student Visa status.

In addition, registering for 12 credits or less, withdrawing from, or failing courses can have serious effects on your graduation date. Regularly scheduled semesters range from 14 to 19 credits. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor whenever they do not register for, or complete, the required number of credits in their program of study in any semester.

 

PROBATION CONDITIONS
1) Your financial aid eligibility MAY be affected. Consult with the Financial Aid Office in the SSC.

2) You cannot participate in Wentworth Athletic programs.

3) You cannot hold an executive position in extra-curricular activities.

4) You must attend the four mandatory meetings listed on the front of this checklist.