At USTSV, all the students’ grades and evaluations are based on demonstrated performance during each course and the level of academic knowledge gained during the course. The grading will consist of letter grades of A through F with grade points as indicated in this catalog. Additional elements of essays, problems, projects and case studies will receive letter grades from the faculty based on the grading rubric established by the USTSV. Each course is based on a total of 100 maximum points.
A student's GPA is obtained by dividing the total number of points earned by the total credit hours attempted. Grades and symbols used to record academic progress are listed in the grading system table below. GPA is based on a maximum of 4.0. Grade points are assigned to all grades as follows:
USTSV uses the Latin Honors Distinctions:
The grade points stated above will be used to calculate the GPA. Candidates for education programs must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be in good standing. Failure to do so may result in academic probation or program in the length of time indicated in the Academic Probation section of the Academic Policy.
A student must meet the minimum standards of academic achievement and successful course completion while enrolled at the USTSV. All students must maintain satisfactory progress as determined by the qualitative and quantitative standards established by the institution. According to these standards, a graduate student remains in good standing if the student's cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 3.0 or above; and all students must progress toward the completion of their respective program within the maximum program length established. The USTSV does not allow students to remain enrolled who are not meeting the standards of satisfactory progress.
The university understands that many students are working adults attending school part-time. Thus, most students’ academic programs will extend beyond the normal duration for full-time students. However, we encourage students to complete their studies as expeditiously as possible. The maximum time to complete any program is one and an half times the program length unless mitigating circumstances such as illness exist. The normal length of each academic program is indicated in the curriculum description for the academic programs in this catalog.
The percentage of credit hours successfully completed must equal a minimum of two-thirds (2/3) of the credit hours attempted in order to be satisfactorily progressing with the USTSV’s maximum time frame.
Failure of training candidates to maintain a 3.0 for any course will result in being placed on academic probation.
A student who is making unsatisfactory progress at the end of a grading period will be placed on academic probation for the next grading period. If the student on academic probation achieves satisfactory progress for the subsequent period but has not achieved the required grades for overall satisfactory progress, the student may be continued on probation for one more grading period. If the student on probation fails to achieve satisfactory progress for the first probationary grading period, the student’s enrollment will be terminated. If a student on probation fails to achieve satisfactory progress for the program at the end of two successive probationary grading periods, the student will be terminated. When a student is placed on academic probation, the student will be required to communicate with the Office of the Registrar prior to returning to class. The Office of the Registrar will inform the student of the date, action taken, and terms of the probation. This information will be clearly indicated in the appropriate permanent student’s record.
Any student who fails to achieve overall satisfactory progress for the program at the end of two successive probationary grading periods will be suspended from enrollment.
A student whose enrollment is suspended for unsatisfactory progress may reapply for admission after a minimum of one grading period. A student who returns after the enrollment was suspended for unsatisfactory progress will be placed on probation for the next grading period. The student will be advised of this action, and the student’s file documented accordingly.
If the student does not maintain satisfactory progress during or by the end of this final probationary period, then the student’s enrollment will be terminated. Application of Standards: Satisfactory academic progress standards apply to all students and include all periods of the student’s enrollment.
Should a student disagree with the application of these satisfactory progress standards, he/she must first discuss the problem with the appropriate instructor(s). The student may then appeal to the Chief Academic Officer. If the situation is not resolved, the process that will be followed is explained under the Arbitration section of this catalog.
Students receiving, at the discretion of the faculty member, a grade of “I” will be evaluated according to the minimum standard for academic progress and will be re-evaluated at the end of the first two weeks of the following course during which time the student may complete missing work. Courses indicating an “I” at the end of the two-week period will become an “F” with a “0” added to the GPA. A student who withdraws during the last quarter of his/her program will receive a grade of “incomplete” if the student requests the grade at the time of withdrawal and the student withdraws for an appropriate reason unrelated to the student’s academic status. A student who receives a grade of incomplete may reenroll in the program during the 12-month period following the date the student withdraws and complete those incomplete subjects without payment of additional tuition.
If a student withdraws prior to the mid-point in a course, the student receives a “W” and the GPA is not affected. If a student withdraws after the mid-point, the student receives a “WF” and receives a “0” for the course at the discretion of the faculty member. This is included in the GPA. Transfer of credit courses does not affect the GPA. The student who receives a “W” grade will have a 12-month period following the date the student withdraws to complete the course at no additional tuition.
Students must repeat courses in which they have received an “F” grade or from which they withdraw. Students will be charged the regular tuition fees for each course they repeat in which they received an “F” grade. Graduate students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale on all courses that carry a graduate credit. At USTSV, no grade below C is acceptable for credit toward a program and if a student receives a grade below C in any graduate course, that course must be repeated. The new grade will replace the old grade for grade point average calculation, but the old grade will remain in the transcript. For students who wish to improve their grade, the fee for repeating a course is the same as the regular tuition.
Make-up work is handled by faculty members on a case by case basis. Make-up work may be required for any absence. However, hours of make-up work cannot be accepted as hours of class attendance.
Students who are placed on Academic and/or Financial Hold may apply to be reinstated as “active students.” To change the status to active, students must submit a completed application for reinstatement along with a fee of $400.00. Additional tuition fees will apply to uncompleted coursework.