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4.10.01 Degrees & Certificates
    A. Degrees & Certificates
    B. Graduation

4.10.06 High School Diploma
    A. Adult Education & Transitional Studies

4.20.01 Transfer/Concurrent Enrollment
    A. Enrollment

4.30.01 Student Success
    A. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
    B. Apprenticeship Credit (RSI)

4.40.01 Grading Policy
    A. Grades

4.40.02 Academic Standards
    A. Academic Standards

4.40.03 Credit Hours
    A. Credit Hours

4.60.01 Continuing Education
    A. Continuing Education

4.70.01 International Programs
    A. International Programs
    B. Study Abroad Program

Spokane Colleges, through its accredited colleges (Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College), offers associate degrees and certificates in accordance with requirements of the State of Washington and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Specific degree and certificate requirements are found in the current Spokane Colleges catalog.

[Adopted 03/13/73; Amended 09/20/78; Amended 02/19/80; Amended 08/17/84, Amended 08/16/94; Amended 04/19/05; Amended 10/18/05; effective 01/01/06]
 

Procedures:

    A. Degrees & Certificates
    B. Graduation

Spokane Colleges may issue the high school diploma under the authority of RCW 28B.50.535 and in compliance with Chapter 180-51 WAC.

[Adopted 11/13/84; Amended 10/18/05; effective 01/01/06]
 

Procedure:

    A. Adult Education & Transitional Studies

A student attending a college within Spokane Colleges may transfer to the other college within Spokane Colleges. Students may also enroll concurrently at both colleges. Concurrently enrolled students will be charged tuition and fees based on the district tuition and fee schedule.

[Adopted 09/20/78; Amended 10/18/05; effective 01/01/06]
 

Procedure:

    A. Enrollment

Spokane Colleges recognizes the changes in practices indicated by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315), enacted on August 14, 2008; the Engrossed Senate Substitute Bill 6359, the Community and Technical Colleges - Efficiencies - Institutional Coordination Act, passed by the Washington Legislature and effective June 10, 2010; and the Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1808, the Launch Year Act, passed by the Washington Legislature and effective June 22, 2011. Spokane Colleges will implement common, evidence-based best practices in student success, increasing and accelerating completion rates for associate degrees and certificates, and closing achievement and retention gaps among students.

[Adopted and effective 04/17/12]
 

Procedure:

Spokane Colleges Grading system provides a method to indicate a student's performance and achievement in a variety of skills and programs. The system provides for permanent record of grade evaluations which reflect successful course and program completion. The colleges operate on a quarter system. The quarter hour of credit is one unit of instruction.

Numeric Grades. Grades at the Spokane Colleges are reported in numerical fractions to the nearest tenth. The numerical grades are based on the letter grade system used prior to the 1986-87 academic year and general equivalents are as follows:

Numeric Grade Letter (Grade equivalent)
4.0, 3.9 or 3.8 3.8 to 4.0  A
3.7, 3.6 or 3.5 3.5 to 3.7  A-
3.4, 3.3 or 3.2 3.2 to 3.4  B+
3.1, 3.0 or 2.9 2.9 to 3.1  B
2.8, 2.7 or 2. 6 2.6 to 2.8  B-
2.5, 2.4 or 2.3 2.3 to 2.5  C+
2.2, 2.1 or 2.0 2.0 to 2.2  C
1.9, 1.8, 1.7 or 1.6 1.6 to 1.9  C-
1.5, 1.4 or 1.3 1.3 to 1.5  D+
1.2, 1.1 or 1.0 1.0 to 1.2  D
Less than 1.0 0.0  F

Grade Symbols and the conditions for which they are assigned:

I (Incomplete)

0.0 grade points; no credit. Incomplete (I) grades may be issued only to those students whose work to date is passing but not completed at the end of the quarter and a student/instructor contract is filed following college procedure.

All incompletes must be made up prior to the official end of the next quarter. "I" grades earned spring quarter must be made up prior to the official end of fall quarter.

Incompletes not made up by the date specified in the contract will default to the grade specified in the contract.

P (Passing)

0.0 grade points; credit not calculated in gpa. A passing grade maybe issued in certain predesignated courses or experience-related evaluations for credit rather than the regular grading system. The college curriculum committee must designate the course to have a pass/fail option prior to the beginning of the course.

N (Audit)

Special registration; 0.0 grade points; no credit.

W (Official Withdrawal)

0.0 grade points; no credit. Students may initiate an official withdrawal "W" prior to the date at which sixty percent of the quarter has passed and as published in the quarterly class schedule. Official withdrawals are the sole responsibility and prerogative of the student and must be initiated by the student. The official withdrawal date for summer quarter will prorated accordingly.

Z (Special Withdrawal)

0.0 grade points; no credit. Special withdrawals "Z" are granted at the sole discretion of the instructor on the last day of the quarter.

After consultation with the student prior to the end of the quarter, the faculty member may grant a special withdrawal. The decision to give the special withdrawal shall be based on what is best for the student in light of his/her educational objectives.

Students meeting attendance requirements of the instructor but doing failing work, may be given a special withdrawal by the instructor. The grade must be changed by the instructor to a regular academic grade reflecting the proper achievement level if requested by the student prior to the official end of the next quarter.

College procedures must be followed before any grade changes are made.

[Adopted 03/13/73; Amended 09/20/78; Amended 06/17/86; Amended 10/18/05; Amended 02/21/12; effective 07/01/12; Revised 10/15/13]
 

Procedure:

    A. Grades

Spokane Colleges' Academic Standards Policy is intended to support a successful learning experience for all students. Students enrolled in degree or certificate programs are expected to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress as defined by the following general policy requirements:

Spokane Colleges recognize the unique and diverse backgrounds and needs of students, and while all students are held to the same level of academic excellence, students with special circumstances may petition for special consideration. Students enrolled in special programs are also required to follow the requirements specified by their funding agency. In addition, students receiving federal and/or state financial aid must follow the Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Policies (as revised 11-16-04).

[Adopted 01/15/75; Amended 09/20/78; Amended 06/17/86; Amended 08/16/94; Amended 04/19/05; Amended 10/18/05; effective 01/01/06; Amended 09/15/09]
 

Procedure:

    A. Academic Standards

Credit hours are defined as the unit by which an institution measures its course work. Spokane Colleges' definition and assignment of course credit hours shall be in compliance with the federal definition of the credit hour and the rules established by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Spokane Colleges uses these rules to establish credit hours assigned to each course offered by the college.

[Adopted 05/21/13; effective 05/21/13]
 

Procedure:

    A. Credit Hours

Continuing Education Units may be issued through Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College. Such units shall be defined and developed according to national and state guidelines. Appropriate procedures shall be established within the district to insure that each continuing education unit include a planned educational experience under capable direction and qualified instruction. Permanent student records shall be maintained.

[Adopted 05/08/84; Amended 10/18/05; effective 01/01/06; Amended 10/15/13]
 

Procedure:

    A. Continuing Education

The flow of students and scholars across cultural, geographic, and national borders is a fundamental component of the educational mission of Spokane Colleges. In that regard, international educational programs within this district are to be implemented in a manner to ensure quality and efficiency. The enrollment of international students for any academic year should not exceed an average of ten (10) percent of the total budgeted annual full-time equivalent (FTE) students for that year within the district. International programs at the colleges are to be complementary and supportive of each other and noncompetitive and avoid unnecessary duplication. International programs in the district shall be coordinated on a district-wide basis.

[Adopted 04/20/99; Amended 10/18/05; effective 01/01/06; Amended 10/15/13]
 

Procedures:

    A. International Programs
    B. Study Abroad Program