Policies

transfer credits, credits earned through prior learning, and PC grades) *Special exception to completion rate calculations due to the COVID-19 Pandemic during Spring 2020: The College will automatically exclude any courses from which the student has withdrawn during the Spring of 2020 due to COVID-19 from their completion rate calculation for the semester and will continue to exclude these semester withdrawals cumulatively in future academic progress evaluations. This only applies to COVID-19 related withdrawals after the date the president declared a national emergency: March 13, 2020, during the Spring 2020 semester Earned Credits • Courses taken as a part of your program of study that you have completed and have earned credit for • Repeated courses where credit has been earned (with a grade of D or more or PC) may only be counted once • Transfer credits • Credits earned through prior learning (e.g. II. Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) You must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average based on the total number of credits attempted in your program of study including transfer credits. Total Credits Attempted Minimum Cumulative Including Transfer Credits GPA Required <25 1.50 26-40 1.75 41+ 2.0 III.

Failures to meet the minimum credit requirements mean that a student is not eligible for further State grant aid until that student has successfully completed the required number of credits.Example Grant Minimum required credits earned per semester Part-time Grant 6 Full-time Grant 12 A student is eligible for 4 semesters of full-time grants (or the equivalent) at a two-year institution. Students not meeting any of the previous criteria may be considered for admission on an individual basis. 3. To receive transfer credits, an official college transcript must be submitted. Credits for which a student received a grade of C or better, and which apply to a student's program, will be accepted as transfer credits. Starting in Spring 2015, NCC will review transfer credits from non-regionally accredited colleges on a case-by- case basis per student request.

Grade Evaluation Points/Credit Hour A Superior 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B Above Average 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C Average 2.0 C- 1.7 D+ 1.3 D Below Average 1.0 F Fail 0.0 P Pass PC5 Pass with C or higher PC-5 Pass with C-, D+, D I1 Incomplete N Not released NC5 No Credit R Released R1 Released to ENGL 101 R2 Released to ENGL027 and ENGL101 X No grade submitted IP In progress L Audited T Transfer Credits Z Successful completion of course challenge process AZ4 Successful completion of course challenge process 4.0 BZ4 Successful completion of course challenge process 3.0 CZ4 Successful completion of course challenge process 2.0 TZ Credits accepted through articulation agreement W2 Withdrawal WP3 Withdrawal, Passing WF3 Withdrawal, Failing Grade* Course repeated - this grade IS NOT included in GPA Grade** Course repeated - this grade IS included in GPA 1. An incomplete grade (I) is given only when the student had obtained, in advance, the permission of the instructor to postpone completion of specific course work for a valid reason.

1. Veterans, their spouses, and/or dependent children, who reside in the Commonwealth of PA will be granted a tuition rate equivalent to the local sponsorship rate. 2. Active military personnel, their spouses, and/or dependent children, who are enrolled in online (distance) classes, and who reside outside of the Commonwealth, will be granted a tuition rate equivalent to the Commonwealth of PA rate. 3. Any individual who receives VA education benefits under chapters 1606, 1607, 30, 31, and 33, and who resides outside of the Commonwealth, will be granted a tuition rate equivalent to the Commonwealth of PA rate. 4. Civilian personnel who work at a Department of Defense facility in the Commonwealth of PA, their spouses, and/or dependent children, will be granted a tuition rate equivalent to the local sponsorship rate. Transferring In Northampton Community College will accept credits when transferring from another institution and for appropriate prior learning when the following criteria are met. Transfer Credit will be determined by course equivalencies, including expected learning outcomes, which are aligned with the college’s curricula and standards. Credit is also awarded for nationally recognized examinations, professional certifications, or by portfolio evaluation of prior learning based on course equivalencies and their stated learning outcomes. Remaining credits may be awarded through college transfer and credit awards for prior learning. • College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Excelsior College Examination Program, or DANTES Standardized Subject Test (DSST) • Advanced Placement (AP) Exams taken through the College Board and International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams • Non-traditional training as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) • Portfolio Assessment of Prior Learning • Industry-recognized Credentials GED scores from the GED testing service, as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) 2. Courses with a grade of C or better (grade value of 2.0) will be considered for transfer. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may be accepted only if the official transcript states that a "pass" grade or a “satisfactory” is equivalent to a C or above. Courses will be considered for transfer regardless of their age; however, some programs may restrict the age of courses used for program admission, prerequisite purposes, and/or program completion. Grades do not transfer; transfer credits have no effect on the Northampton Community College grade point average (GPA). Transfer credits earned will reference the test or method used for granting credits. Transfer with a Bachelor's degree A student possessing a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and enrolling at Northampton in an Associate's degree or Certificate program shall be considered to have completed the general education core requirements except for required courses identified by the program faculty.

Generally, courses completed with a grade of C or better receive transfer credit. The maximum amount of transfer credit varies by college, but normally 60 to 70 credit hours of applicable course work can be transferred. The final decision regarding admission and the acceptability of transfer credit hours rests with the receiving institution. Students benefit from core-to-core agreements because all of the credit earned from the associate degree is applied to the four-year program without evaluating individual courses.