Understanding GPA Requirements at College of DuPage

Navigating the academic landscape of College of DuPage (COD) requires a clear understanding of its GPA requirements, grading policies, and academic progress standards. This article provides a detailed overview of these aspects, designed to help students succeed in their academic journey.

Grading System Overview

College of DuPage employs a traditional grading system, with final course grades accessible through myACCESS/Student Planning and Chap App. These grades are typically posted within one week of the course's end date. It's essential to understand how these grades impact your Grade Point Average (GPA).

GPA Calculation

The Grade Point Average (GPA) is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance. At College of DuPage, the GPA is calculated based on the grades earned in courses, with certain grades not factored into the calculation. Specifically, grades that earn no credit are not included in either the term or cumulative GPA.

Satisfactory/Fail Option

COD offers a Satisfactory/Fail (S/F) grading option for certain classes, allowing students and instructors to choose this alternative grading method. However, the instructor retains the right to decide if this option applies and what grade is needed for a satisfactory mark. Students wishing to pursue this option must get the instructor's approval and submit a signed contract to Student Registration Services by the course withdrawal deadline. While a "S" grade isn't computed in the GPA, a "F" grade will be.

It is important to note that credits earned in core subject areas like Communication, Physical/Life Sciences, Mathematics, Humanities/Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences cannot be graded with a Satisfactory/Fail grade if the student is pursuing an Associate in General Studies or an Associate in Applied Science degree.

Incomplete Grades

An "I" (Incomplete) grade may be assigned by the instructor if a student has completed a significant portion of the class with a passing grade but cannot finish the coursework within the term due to documented unforeseen circumstances. Students must complete the unfinished coursework within the instructor's specified time frame, not exceeding twelve months from the term's end. The student is responsible for contacting the instructor of record or the appropriate Dean regarding course completion. If the "I" grade isn't changed within twelve months, it automatically becomes an "F" grade.

Credit by Demonstrated Competence

COD offers students the opportunity to earn college credit for knowledge acquired outside the traditional classroom through the Credit by Demonstrated Competence program. Students may complete 42 of the 60 semester credits needed toward an associate degree through this approach. This program allows students to gain credit for competencies equivalent to existing college courses, acquired through occupational, educational, or other experiences related to specific COD courses. Students who demonstrate mastery of the material can gain college credit without taking the course.

Advanced Placement (AP) and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

College of DuPage recognizes and accepts credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams with acceptable scores. They also serve as a national test center for the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). CLEP exams are administered by appointment, with fees determined by the College Board.

Articulated Credit

College of DuPage has agreements with some district high schools, allowing students to apply for and receive credit at COD for equivalent high school classes. To obtain articulated credit, students must follow the application procedures outlined on the Application for Articulated Credit form, available in the Office of Student Records, and apply within two years of high school graduation.

GPA Requirements for Good Academic Standing

Maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average is crucial for staying in good academic standing at College of DuPage. Each student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain in good standing. Failure to do so can lead to academic warning, probation, or suspension.

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Academic Standing Policies

College of DuPage has specific policies in place to address students who are not meeting the minimum GPA requirements:

Academic Warning: Students are placed on Academic Warning when less than 12 attempted College of DuPage credit hours are earned and the cumulative grade point average is below 2.00/4.00 scale.
Probation I: Students are placed on Probation I when 12 or more College of DuPage credit hours are attempted and earned less than a 2.00/4.00 cumulative and semester grade point average. Students must meet with a counselor to review their academic progress prior to enrollment for the next semester.
Probation II: Students are placed on Probation II after serving one semester on Probation I with a cumulative and semester grade point average less than 2.00/4.00. Students must meet with a counselor to review their academic progress prior to enrollment for the next semester.
Suspension I: Students are placed on Suspension I after serving one semester on Probation II with a cumulative and semester grade point average less than 2.00/4.00. When final grades are posted after the Probation II semester, a student will be withdrawn from current semester courses and issued a refund. The Suspension I status will be in effect for one fall or spring semester following Probation II.
Suspension II: Students are placed on Suspension II after serving one semester on Suspension I with a cumulative and semester grade point average less than 2.00/4.00. When final grades are posted after the Suspension I semester, a student will be withdrawn from current semester courses and issued a refund. The Suspension II status will be in effect for 12 consecutive months.

Academic Reinstatement

Students facing academic suspension have the opportunity to be considered for Academic Reinstatement following their Suspension I and/or II status. Reinstatement is not guaranteed. Once reinstated, students must work with a counselor to create a success plan, and course selection will be restricted. In the semesters following academic reinstatement, students must maintain a semester grade point average above 2.00 to avoid continued suspension.

Grade Review Procedure

College of DuPage recognizes that the responsibility for grading rests solely with faculty. However, a grade review procedure is available for students who allege that a final course grade was arbitrary or capricious. Before requesting a formal review, students are encouraged to resolve the issue informally with the instructor. The student may terminate the formal procedure at any point, but when the procedure reaches full closure, the student must abide by the final disposition of the appeal.

The assignment of a course grade by a substantial, unreasonable and unannounced departure from the instructor’s previously articulated standards.

The steps for a formal grade review are:

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The student contacts the instructor to discuss the grade and to work toward a mutual understanding of the basis and procedure used to determine the final grade. This request must be initiated by the student within forty-five (45) calendar days of the last day of the academic term for which the grade was assigned.
A student requests that the associate dean/supervisor initiate a formal grade review by the Division’s standing Grade Review Committee.
The Grade Review Committee will submit a copy of the student’s written statement to the instructor with a request for a written reply within ten (10) working days if this step has not been taken prior to the convening of the committee. If a mutually agreeable solution is not achieved, the Grade Review Committee will proceed to hold an informal, non-adversarial, fact-finding meeting concerning the allegations. Both the student and the instructor will be entitled to be present throughout this meeting and to present any relevant evidence. Neither the student nor the instructor will be accompanied by an advocate or representative. The Grade Review Committee will deliberate privately at the close of the fact-finding meeting. The Grade Review Committee is not authorized to award a letter grade or to reprimand or otherwise take disciplinary action against the instructor. The decision of the committee will be final and will be promptly reported in writing to the parties.

Financial Aid and GPA Requirements

Maintaining satisfactory academic progress is essential for students who receive financial aid. Failure to meet the standards of progress can lead to the loss of financial aid funding.

Standards of Progress

To maintain financial aid eligibility, students must meet specific criteria, including maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA and completing a certain percentage of attempted credit hours. Compliance is measured at the end of each semester. Students’ total earned (completed) hours must be equal to or greater than 67% of the cumulative total of students’ attempted credit hours for all periods of enrollment at College of DuPage. Each student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Maximum Timeframe

Financial aid recipients must also complete their program within 150% of the published program length. All periods of enrollment at College of DuPage are included when calculating the maximum timeframe for a student's program.

Financial Aid Warning and Suspension

Students who fail to meet the standards of progress may be placed on financial aid Warning for one semester. If they do not meet the requirements by the end of the warning semester, they may be placed on financial aid Suspension.

Financial Aid Appeals

Students who lose their financial aid eligibility due to not meeting satisfactory academic progress standards have the right to appeal. Appeals are considered for students who have experienced extenuating circumstances that affected their academic performance. All appeal circumstances must be fully documented. All appeal documentation must be submitted directly by the student. Decisions of the committee are final. Appeal results may take up to 30 days.

Course Repetition

A student may repeat any course taken at College of DuPage. Repeated courses are indicated with an “R” following the assigned grade on the student’s official transcript, which indicates that the course was repeated and the student received the same or a higher grade. The cumulative grade point average (GPA) no longer reflects the original grade received as of the term it was retaken.

Grade Forgiveness Policy

College of DuPage offers a Grade Forgiveness Policy to students who have struggled academically. If you meet the following criteria, the failing grade(s) will remain on your transcript but will be removed from your GPA calculation. Upon return, a minimum of 12 consecutive semester hours with no grades of ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘S’, ‘I’, or ‘X’ and no more than two ‘W’ grades must be earned at College of DuPage before forgiveness will be considered. When the eligibility requirements have been fulfilled and forgiveness granted, the student’s cumulative grade point average will be recalculated with the “F” grades removed from the calculation.

Additional Academic Information

Semester System and Course Load

College of DuPage operates on the semester system, with two 16-week semesters (fall and spring) and a summer term. The number of semester hours of credit granted for each course varies. A student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours in fall and spring and a minimum of 6 hours in summer to be considered a full-time student. Half-time status is 6 to 11 semester credits during fall and spring semesters. A student who has earned fewer than 30 semester credits is considered a freshman.

Course Modalities

College of DuPage offers courses in various modalities to accommodate different learning preferences:

Standard Classroom: Based on the main Glen Ellyn campus or one of our Centers.
Hybrid Classes: Will have a section code that starts with HYB.
Online Classes: Will have a section code that starts with NET.
Virtual Classroom Meeting Classes: Will have a section code that starts with VCM. These classes meet in real time at specified days and times using video chat software.

Waitlists

If a class is full, students may be notified that a waitlist is available to join. Students who are on the waitlist will be notified when a spot opens up.

Resources for Academic Success

College of DuPage provides numerous resources to help students succeed academically.

Degree Audit

A computerized degree audit reports a student’s progress toward the completion of the degree or certificate offered at College of DuPage. If a student is working toward a degree or certificate, or is planning to transfer to another college or university, the student may check his/her progress by running a Degree Audit online at myaccess.cod.edu. An Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) audit reports by category all courses a student has completed that fulfills the General Education Core curriculum. The audit also lists all other COD courses from which a student may select to complete the IAI General Education Core curriculum.

Transferring Credits

Students intending to earn a degree or certificate at College of DuPage, and expecting to apply credit earned elsewhere, must contact institutions previously attended requesting an official transcript to be sent directly to the Office of Student Records. Credits earned at other regionally accredited colleges/universities are eligible for transfer to College of DuPage.

Academic Honors

Each semester College of DuPage recognizes students whose grades reflect outstanding achievement. All students who are currently in good academic standing, enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours of 1000-level or above courses, do not have a current incomplete “I” grade, and whose semester grade point average is 3.50 to 4.00 inclusive, will be awarded Academic Honors.

Graduation Honors

The official determination of a student’s status relative to graduation is made through the Office of Student Records. Students should run their Degree Audit online to review their progress. When the Degree Audit indicates the program status of “Pending Anticipated Complete,” it is time to apply for graduation. Graduation honors are indicated on the diploma. Beginning with the fall 2014 semester, graduation honors are also indicated on the official transcript. They are designated as follows in three categories: Highest Honors is awarded to students earning a minimum of 40 credits at College of DuPage and a cumulative College of DuPage grade point average of 4.00. High Honors is awarded to students with a cumulative College of DuPage grade point average of 3.60 to 4.00. Honors is awarded to students with a cumulative College of DuPage grade point average of 3.20 to 3.59. Graduation honors are determined from the cumulative grade point average in the semester in which the student completes degree requirements.

Honor Societies

College of DuPage has many honor societies for qualified students to join. For a full listing of honor societies as well as event and membership information, visit cod.presence.io/organizations.

Transfer Partnerships

College of DuPage has partnerships with other institutions like Lake Forest College to facilitate a smooth transfer process for students. These partnerships include special agreements like the COD Pathway Scholars Program and generous scholarships and financial aid opportunities. Our Pathway Scholar Programs offer a seamless transition to Lake Forest College for COD students who are looking to major in a variety of areas and have completed their associate of arts degree, associate of science degree, or 60-64 transferrable semester hours of credit.

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