Oct 06, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

GPA and Scholastic Standards


Scholastic Probation Scholastic Suspension

Grade Point Average and Semester Hours

There are two bases for computing the grade point average (GPA): the semester grade point average and the cumulative institutional grade point average. The GPA for any semester is determined by multiplying the number of semester hours for each course by the number of grade points corresponding to the final grade for the course. The total of all such products for the semester is then divided by the number of semester hours attempted for that period. When the course is completed and a grade is assigned by the instructor, the grade point average is correspondingly recalculated. Grades of “W” are not included in the GPA calculation.

The cumulative institutional grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted by the student in all semesters for courses taken at Odessa College. The graduation grade point average is derived by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of semester hours excluding developmental courses.

For information about grades, honor roll, GPA updates, or contesting a grade, click here .

Scholastic Standards

Odessa College is dedicated to providing students with opportunities for success in their course work and with support services. The college recognizes, however, that some students may encounter scholastic difficulties. Consequently, the college has designed a system of scholastic probation and scholastic suspension to identify students with scholastic problems and to provide a mechanism to aid them in recognizing and solving such problems.

All OC degree and certificate plans require that students have a graduation GPA of 2.0 or higher; therefore, students are considered to be in good standing as long as they maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher on a semester or cumulative basis.

Scholastic Probation

At the end of each semester, academic records of all students will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  1. The grade point average for the semester will be computed. If the GPA is 2.0 or higher, the student is considered to be in good standing.
  2. If the GPA is less than 2.0, the cumulative GPA will be examined. If the cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, the student will be put on scholastic probation.

Scholastic probation warns students that they need to pay careful attention to academic progress.

Removal From Scholastic Probation

Students on scholastic probation return to good standing status by earning a GPA of 2.0 or higher the next semester of enrollment at OC or by having a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at the end of the next semester. A GPA of 2.0 for either the semester or on a cumulative basis will remove students from scholastic probation.

Scholastic Suspension

Students who are on scholastic probation and who do not earn a GPA of 2.0 for the next semester of enrollment at Odessa College or who do not earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 by the end of the semester will be placed on scholastic suspension.

However, a suspended student may appeal the suspension status for immediate enrollment the next long semester or abide by the stipulation of staying out of school for the required semester(s).

Summer Enrollment - Students on Scholastic Suspension

A student who is placed on scholastic suspension at the end of the spring semester may enroll for classes during the summer to bring up his/her GPA.

Each student in this category must consult with his/her Success Coach before enrolling for summer classes.

Appeal of Scholastic Suspension

If a student chooses to appeal scholastic suspension and apply for immediate re-admission, the student must also agree to abide by a personalized plan for success, created by his/her Student Success Coach. This agreement may include, but is not limited to, limited course enrollment options, required tutoring and workshops, and periodic meetings with the student’s Success Coach and Faculty Mentor. A suspended student who has been approved for continued enrollment must meet the conditions of the agreement outlined by the Success Coach. Failure to do so will result in the student being required to serve the imposed suspension for the next semester.

A student on scholastic suspension whose continued enrollment is approved will be allowed to enroll on scholastic probation. If the student does not return to good standing at the end of the semester, the original suspension will be enforced for the next semester.

Return to Good Standing

A student on scholastic suspension who is enrolled under special conditions will return to good standing by fulfilling all the conditions of the specific admission agreement and earning a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average for the semester. The student will remain in good standing as long as he/she continues to earn a minimum of a 2.0 GPA each subsequent semester of enrollment. A student on scholastic suspension who has not attended during the time of enforced suspension will return to good standing by earning a 2.0 or higher grade point average for the next semester of enrollment. The student will remain in good standing as long as he/she continues to earn a minimum of a 2.0 GPA each subsequent semester of enrollment.

Second and Third Suspensions

A student, who is placed on scholastic suspension a second time, may be barred from enrolling for classes at Odessa College for the next two semesters. A student with a second suspension has the same option to appeal that suspension by applying for enrollment permission.

The same procedure as outlined in “Appeal of Scholastic Suspension” must be followed. Meeting the stated conditions of admission with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher will result in the student’s return to good standing.

Failure to meet required grade point and other standards during any semester after a second suspension may result in the third and final suspension for the student. A student who is placed on scholastic suspension a third time may enroll for classes at Odessa College only upon approval of the vice president for instruction.