Academic Procedures
Course Load
A full time course load is 12-18 credits. A part time course load is 1-11 credits. Students wishing to register for more than 18 credits in a semester must obtain approval for the overload from their academic advisor or the Department Dean.
Student Academic Scale
Students enrolled at the College are governed by this student academic scale:
Cumulative Grade Point Average (C.G.P.A.)
| Cumulative Credits Attempted | Probation | Academic Warning | Acceptable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-8 | - | .00-1.99 | 2.00 |
| 9-16 | .00-0.99 | 1.00-1.99 | 2.00 |
| 17-30 | .00-1.59 | 1.60-1.99 | 2.00 |
| 31-45 | .00-1.74 | 1.75-1.99 | 2.00 |
| 46- | .00-1.84 | 1.85-1.99 | 2.00 |
A student's cumulative grade point average is determined by dividing the number of credits attempted into the quality points. For example:
| Credits | Grade | Quality Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP110 English Composition I |
3 | B | 3x3=9 |
| PSYC110 Intro to Psychology |
3 | C | 3x2=6 |
| MATH101 Mathematical Concepts I |
3 | C | 3x2=6 |
| BIOL101 Biological Science I |
4 | B+ | 4x3.5=14 |
| HLTH103 Life and Health |
3 | B | 3x3=9 |
| 16 | 44 | ||
| Thus, the Cumulative Grade Point Average is 44/16 = 2.75. | |||
Acceptable: Cumulative grade point average (C.G.P.A.) of 2.00 or greater.
Academic Warning: An indication that students are experiencing academic difficulty and are "at risk" of not successfully completing their academic program.
Enrollment restricted to a maximum of 12 billable credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters and a maximum of 6 billable credits in any summer session.
Academic Probation: A second level warning category. Students falling into this category are in serious academic difficulty and "at risk" of academic dismissal.
Enrollment restricted to a maximum of 7 billable credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters and a maximum of 3 billable credits in any summer session, as well as other conditions as specified by the College. Appeals to enroll above the 7 credit limit will be heard by the Academic Performance Committee. Guidelines denoting acceptable and unacceptable appeals will govern all Academic Probation students.
Students who fall into one of the above categories and who pre-register for an upcoming semester will be restricted according to the conditions stated. Students who improve their academic status may adjust their schedules accordingly.
Academically Dismissed: A student who is on "Academic Probation" for two consecutive semesters and who earns less than a 2.0 semester G.P.A. will be separated from the college for the subsequent (fall or spring) semester. Further, the student will be prohibited from registering for any summer or intersession course while academically dismissed.
Students who have been dismissed must apply for readmission to the college. Permission to register (with attendant conditions) will be determined by the Academic Performance Committee. A formal appeal for reinstatement must be submitted to the Academic Performance Committee in the semester preceding the student's intended re-enrollment. Readmitted students will be designated "Academic Probation" and the conditions described for that category will apply.
A mandatory period of separation of two semesters will be required for students who are "Academically Dismissed" for a second time. If a student is "Academically Dismissed" for a third time, a three year period of separation will be required, at which time the student may be eligible for the "Academic Restart" program.
Credits Attempted: Includes all academic credits taken at Bucks County Community College for which the final grades of A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, F were recorded. If a student repeats a course, the most recent grade will take precedence over the former in determining credits attempted. (See Repeating Courses.)
Credits Earned: Includes all academic credits taken at Bucks County Community College for which the final grades of A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, CX, P were recorded. Credits earned also include credits accepted through CLEP, AP, and other means.
Quality Points: Are determined by multiplying the academic credit hours of a course by the quality point value of the grade received (A=4, B+=3.5, B=3, C+=2.5, C=2, D+=1.5, D=1, F=0).
Final Examinations
Final examinations, for those courses in which instructors require them, are scheduled during the week following the last day of classes. Examination periods are two hours long.
The schedule of final examinations is posted throughout the campus several weeks before the end of classes and instructors giving final examinations in their courses announce in class the day, hour, and place of the examinations.
Students with conflicts in their final examination schedule take one of the examinations during the scheduled hour and arrange in advance with the department office to take the other at another hour. All final examinations are to be completed by the close of the final examination period.
If students must miss a final examination, notice should be given to the instructor or Department office in advance to avoid a failing grade on the examination. The instructor will determine if and when the final examination will be given.
Honors Lists
The academic distinction of students is recognized by placement on either the President's Honor List or the Dean's Honor List.
For the President's Honor List, full-time students are recognized when they have completed twelve or more semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 4.0. Part-time students are recognized at the end of the semester when they have completed a unit of at least twelve semester credit hours with a unit grade point average of 4.0.
For the Dean's Honor List, full-time students are recognized when they have completed twelve or more semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher with no grade below C. Part-time students are recognized at the end of the semester when they have completed a unit of at least twelve semester credit hours with a unit grade point average of 3.5 or higher with no grade below C.
A student on the President's Honor List will not be included on the Dean's Honor List.
If a part-time student who has not yet accumulated a unit of twelve semester credits enrolls as a full-time student, he or she is evaluated at the end of the full-time semester. If he or she then returns to part-time status, the accumulation of a new unit of twelve credit hours begins.
Teacher Certification
In Public Schools
Credits earned at Bucks County Community College are not acceptable for the renewal of the Instructional I (provisional) Certificate and conversion to the Instructional II (permanent) Certificate. According to Section 49.84 of the Certification Regulations, credit "must be earned at a State approved baccalaureate degree granting institution."
In Private Kindergartens, Private Nursery Schools, and Private Child Day Care Centers
Assistant teachers may become certified after two years of successful teaching experience and 24 additional credits. This experience must be accomplished through the supervision of a certified director or someone holding a comparable public school certificate. The additional credits must be taken after the issuance of the assistant teacher certificate and be related to early childhood education.