Original Approval: 04/01/2022
Last Updated: 05/13/2025
Last Reviewed: 05/13/2025
Policy/Purpose:
It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations as well as Alabama Community College System (ACCS) policies related to Instructional Programs and regarding the level of credit awarded for courses taught at all colleges within the ACCS, regardless of the format or mode of delivery. The ACCS requires all institutions in the System to operate on a semester system.
It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College to recognize students who demonstrate academic excellence based on dates and information outlined in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Board Policy 716.01 and Chancellor’s Procedures 716.01.
NOTE: This policy is subject to change at any time without notification. ACCS policies related to Academic Instruction supersede this policy.
The following ACCS policies are referenced in this policy:
Board Policy 716.01
Chancellor’s Procedures 716.01
Scope:
This policy applies to all Coastal Alabama Community College students and employees during any activity involving the College, including the workday. In addition, visitors, vendors, contractors, and all other non-employees are expected to recognize and comply with College policies.
Definitions:
Appeal of Suspension: The process by which the College will allow a student suspended for one term or one year (whether a “native” student or a transfer student) to request readmission without having to serve the suspension.
Course Load: The number of credit hours in which the student is enrolled.
Grade Point Average (GPA): The grade point average based on all hours attempted during any one semester at the institution based on a 4-point scale.
Semester System: A semester system is defined as a fall semester, spring semester, and a summer term.
Developmental: Courses numbered below 100 are designated as developmental. These courses do count toward financial aid hours and impact financial aid completion rate. These courses do not factor into institutional GPA.
Details:
- Coastal Alabama Community College hosts Honors and Awards Ceremonies annually.
- Coastal Alabama Community College provides academic honors to recognize and promote notable student achievements. A Dean’s List will be compiled at the end of each semester. Requirements for the Dean’s List will be (1) a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher but below 4.0, and (2) completion of a minimum semester course load of 12 semester credit hours of college-level work. Developmental (pre-collegiate) courses carrying grades of A-F will be calculated in the semester GPA. However, developmental courses will not count toward the minimum course load requirement.
- Coastal Alabama Community College provides academic honors to recognize and promote notable student achievements. A President’s List will be compiled at the end of each semester. Requirements for the President’s List will be (1) a semester grade point average of 4.0, and (2) completion of a minimum semester course load of 12 semester credit hours of college-level work. Developmental (pre-collegiate) courses carrying grades of A-F will be calculated in the semester GPA. However, developmental courses will not count toward the minimum course load requirement.
- Superior academic achievement by graduating students will be designated on transcripts by the following:
- Graduating with Honors (cum laude) 3.50-3.69 GPA.
- Graduating with High Honors (magna cum laude) 3.70-3.89 GPA.
- Graduating with Highest Honors (summa cum laude) 3.90-4.00 GPA.
Procedure(s):
There are no procedures related to this policy.
Additional Provisions/Information
There are no additional provisions to this policy.