Academic Standards

Grading

Definition of Grades

Students enrolled in Groupe ESLSCA-International Graduate Education courses will receive one of the following grades per course, and the corresponding grade points.  Grade points are assigned for each unit of the credit value of a course and are used to compute a student’s grade point average. 

In addition, occasions arise that necessitate assigning symbols that fall outside the standard range.  These are: (P), (I) and (E), as explained below.

Pass (P)

The (P) designates performance that meets all the standard requirements of the course.  The (P) is used for credit transferred from other institutions.

Incomplete (I)

The mark (I) indicates that students have satisfactorily met most course requirements, including the final exam, but have not completed certain assignments because of circumstances beyond their control such as illness or some other emergency occurring during the academic term.  Arrangements for an (I), and its removal should be initiated by students, and agreed to by instructors prior to the final exam.  Only two incompletes for courses taken in a single term are permitted.

If an (I) is assigned as grade, instructors will specify to students the work remaining to be done, the procedures for its completion and the weight to be assigned to the work remaining to be done in computing the final grade.  Previously graded work may not be repeated for credit.  It is not possible to remove an (I) by retaking the course.

To receive credit, an incomplete must be converted to a passing grade within six weeks of the following academic term; otherwise, a grade of (F) is automatically recorded.

Examination Missed (E)

The symbol (E) indicates that students have satisfactorily met all course requirements except the final exam.   An (E) is usually assigned when students cannot take the final exam due to circumstances beyond their control such as illness or some other emergency.  In such cases, students must present sufficient documentation to the Office of the Dean.

An (E) may be removed by taking a makeup exam within six weeks of the following academic term; otherwise, it automatically converts to an (F).

Grade Point Average

The GPA is used to determine students’ academic standing.  It is computed at the end of every academic term by multiplying the number of credits taken by the grade points earned.  The figure is then divided by the total number of credits completed. 

The cumulative GPA is computed in a similar manner for all coursework completed, and is used to determine eligibility for graduation.  The GPA does not include coursework transferred from other institutions including exchange partner institutions. 

Failure in Courses

Grades below (C) designate levels of performance that do not satisfy the minimal requirements of the course and are deficient.  No credit toward the degree is granted for these grades.  A failed core or general education course must be repeated; a failed elective must be repeated or replaced by another.  The previous grade remains on the transcript with the new grade of the repeated course.

Failure in Master’s Projects

Grades below (C) designate levels of performance that do not satisfy the minimal requirements of the master’s project and are deficient.  No credit toward the degree is granted for these grades. 

A failed master’s project must be repeated or replaced by another.  In either case, the master’s project may not be completed until at least one academic term has elapsed.  The previous grade remains on the transcript with the grade of the repeated or substitute project.

Disputing A Grade

Instructors assign all grades.  It is understood that instructors have the right to determine grading policies for their classes, and their evaluation of students’ performance is the final basis for assigning grades.

A student who believes that she or he has been unfairly graded have access to a formal review process.  If the student wishes to appeal a grade, she or he should first request a verbal explanation from the instructor.

If the discussion with the instructor is not satisfactory, the student should submit a letter outlining the disagreement to the instructor within 6 weeks of the following academic term.  A copy of this letter should be submitted to the Director of International Graduation Education.  The letter shall specifically cite the evidence by which the student alleges that an impermissible element existed in the instructor’s evaluation of the student’s course work and that it influenced the grade assignment to the detriment of the student.  The burden of proof shall fall upon the student.

If after receiving instructor’s written response a satisfactory resolution is not reached, the student may make an appeal in writing to the Dean within one week of receiving the instructor’s written reply.  If, in the judgment of the Dean, the evidence cited by the student is insufficient to warrant further investigation of the charges, the appeal shall be denied.  Otherwise, the Dean will seek the intervention of the ESLSCA Academic Standards and Discipline Committee.   The Committee will examine the fairness and effectiveness of the instructor’s grading procedure.  The Committee’s decision will be final, and will be communicated in writing to the student. 

Correction of Grades

No grade may be changed after it has been submitted to the ESLSCA Registrar without the approval of the Director of International Graduate Education.  The Director is not authorized to change a grade submitted to the Registrar except when an instructor certifies that, because of an error in calculation or in transcription, an incorrect grade has been submitted.  Grade change also happens when an (I) is replaced by a regular grade.

Grades may be changed within one academic term following the course after which they become a permanent part of the academic record. 

Dean’s Honor List

Dean’s Honor List requires successful completion of all courses and a 3.5 grade point average for a given academic term.  Only full-time students qualify.  This distinction is noted on the academic transcript and becomes a part of the permanent record.

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Class Attendance

Absences & Missed Work

Groupe ESLSCA International Graduate Education assumes that all students have freely accepted personal responsibility for regular class attendance.  Regular class attendance is expected, with two absences per course considered the maximum.  Absences before and after vacations are treated like any other absence during the academic term. 

In the event of unavoidable absence, students are expected to inform the instructor in advance.  Instructors may accommodate any student who is absent from class or misses a work assignment for reasons beyond the student’s control such as illness, death in the family, or other such emergency.  The student must provide an explanation to the instructor and supply supporting evidence as required by the instructor.  For purposes of fairness, the evidence required should be the same for all students.  The student must also make arrangements with the instructor to make up missed work.

Any absences as a result from formal participation in activities sponsored by the school will be arranged with the instructor.  For any class time missed, reasonable accommodation will be provided if necessary.

If a student’s absence reaches the maximum allowed, the instructor shall report this fact to the Director of International Graduate Education who will send a Notice of Excessive Absence to the student.

Continuous & Complete Presence in Classes

Students are expected to be in attendance during the entire scheduled class session in order to be considered to be present.  Students may be counted absent if they arrive more than ten minutes late, depart the class session early, or leave the class session for a considerable time.

In cases of emergency, students must inform the instructor in advance of their intention to be late, leave the class temporarily, or depart early from class.

Exclusion From Classes

An instructor may exclude from class a student whose behavior is detracting and creating an environment not conducive to learning for other students.

Class Participation

Class participation is a principal component of all courses in the Department.  Course grades reflect the quality of students’ academic performance as a whole, which normally includes regular participation in the total class experience and are evaluated accordingly.  Instructors should explain their grading criteria and their expectations in terms of class participation on the first day of class as well as in their course syllabi. 

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Examinations

Midterm Examinations

Groupe ESLSCA-International Graduate Education does not have a policy on midterm examinations.  It is in the discretion of instructors to require a midterm exam and assign the weight that it will carry in the student’s overall evaluation. Instructors are expected to explain their grading criteria and their expectations in terms of midterm examinations and other tests and quizzes on the first day of class as well as in their course syllabi.

Midterm exams may be held on the regular class time if their duration does not exceed 90 minutes.  For more extensive midterm exams, special exam sessions are scheduled by the Registrar outside regular class schedule, usually on a Saturday.   

Final Examinations

Final examinations are given in courses during designated times at the end of each semester as listed in the Academic Schedule.  Instructors are not authorized to change the announced times of their examinations unless they receive the approval of the Director of International Graduate Education, and only for compelling reasons.

Students are not permitted to take a final examination before its regularly scheduled time.  When genuinely serious conditions exist, students, with the consent of the course instructor, may be allowed to postpone a final examination until after the regular exam period.  Students must submit a request for postponement of a final exam to International Graduate Education Office.  If the request is accepted, students will be assigned a grade of (E).

Unexcused absence from a final examination results in an automatic grade of F on that exam. 

If take-home examinations are assigned, they are to be submitted at the time and date of the regularly scheduled final examination.

Final examination is not given in a course that has a character that renders a final examination unnecessary or impractical.  In these cases, instructors are expected to use the time slot scheduled for the final examination as regular class time.

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