Grading System

Athens Technical College uses the following grading system to specify levels of performance in coursework. 
 

Learning support course grades are designated with an asterisk (*) after the letter grade or grading symbol and are counted as attempted hours but are not included in grade point average calculations. 

Prior to Fall 2011, work ethics grades were given in all courses after the letter grades as 3 or E (exceeds expectations); 2 or M (meets expectations); 1 or N (needs improvement), or 0 or U (unacceptable). Since Fall 2011, instruction and evaluation of work ethics take place in the context of a student’s program of study. Work ethics grades are not calculated into credit hours or grade point average calculations. 

The college also uses the following symbols: 

·         AC — Articulated Credit: This symbol indicates that students passed exemption examinations while enrolled in high school.  No longer in use as of Summer 2019.  Grades of AC were counted toward earned credits but were not calculated into a student’s grade point average at Athens Technical College. 

·         AU — Audit: This symbol indicates that students enrolled in courses but chose not to seek credit for the courses. 

·         EXE — Credit by Examination: This symbol indicates that students received credit based on their successful performance on examinations to demonstrate prior achievement of course competencies. Prior to Fall 2014, notated as EX. 

·         EXP — Credit by Prior Learning Assessment: This symbol indicates credit attained through a complete and cohesive portfolio of prior experience that demonstrates prior achievement of course competencies.  Prior to Fall 2014, notated as EX. 

·         I — Incomplete: This symbol indicates that students could not complete the coursework by the end of the academic term due to extenuating circumstances, and they were approved to delay the completion of coursework to the next academic term per signed agreements. Instructors must file a change of grade forms with the Director of Registration and Records as soon as course requirements are completed. Students are responsible for contacting their instructors and for completing all course requirements per the agreements. Only in extreme circumstances will the Vice President of Academic Affairs extend incomplete grades beyond one semester. The Director of Registration and Records does not calculate incomplete grades in grade point averages. 

·         IP — In Progress: Instructors will assign grades of IP when courses extend beyond the official term ending date. Grades of IP are typically reserved for individualized courses or for courses such as internships and practicums. This grade cannot be used to defer grade reporting for more than one term. Students must complete the work during the following term, and instructors must file change of grade forms with the Director of Registration and Records. 

·         TR, TRA, TRB, TRC — Transfer: These symbols indicate transfer credit awarded for courses taken at other colleges. TR was used to indicate transfer credit until August 2011. Beginning August 2011, TRA, TRB, and TRC codes were implemented to indicate the grade earned at the transferring institution. Transfer grades are not included when calculating semester, cumulative, or graduation grade point averages. Effective Fall 2014, TR used solely for AP, IB, or CLEP. 

·         TRP — Transfer: Credit awarded for courses taken at other colleges. Prior to Fall 2014, notated as TR graded. Transfer credits are counted as attempted hours but are not included when calculating semester, cumulative, or graduation grade point averages.  

·         TRM — Transfer: Military credit. Prior to Fall 2014, notated as TR. 

·         W — Withdrawal: This symbol indicates that students officially withdrew from classes prior to 61% of any academic term, as noted in the academic calendar or the Registration & Records supplemental calendar. These grades are not included when calculating semester, cumulative, or graduation grade point averages. 

·         Z — COVID-19 emergency: Unsuccessful completion of course for a specific timeframe during the COVID pandemic. Grade is excluded from attempted hours and grade point average calculations. 

Grades of F, F*, I, IP, and W may affect financial aid. Learning support hours count toward attempted hours. Grades earned for learning support courses do not affect the final grade point average; however, those grades do affect satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes.