ITEM 126-105-R0305

 

MONTANA BOARD OF REGENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Policy and Procedures Manual

 

SUBJECT:� ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Policy 3XXXX � Minimum Course Grades

Effective: XXX

 

 

Board policy:

 

1)�������� In evaluating undergraduate coursework from other postsecondary institutions, the four-year campuses within the Montana University System will only accept courses with a grade of �C� or better, exclusive of the permissive exception set out in section 3 of this policy.

 

2)�������� Since two-year institutions are generally open-admission campuses within the Montana University System, those campuses may accept passing grades below a �C,� from other postsecondary institutions, in order to assist students with their education plans.

 

3)�������� Since an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree is ordinarily considered a terminal credential, those programs may accept passing grades below a �C� from other postsecondary institutions, in order to assist students with their education plans.

 

4)�������� If two-year institutions or associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degrees choose to accept grades below a �C�, under this policy, they must make an affirmative effort to:

a)       notify students that they will have to have an overall grade point average of 2.00 or better before they can graduate;

b)       explain the institution�s internal policies concerning satisfactory academic progress, so students know what is expected of them during their matriculation at the institution; and

c)       explain to students that grades below a �C� will not be accepted if they decide to transfer to a four-year institution within the Montana University System.

 

5)�������� In evaluating coursework from other postsecondary institutions, the provisions of Montana Board of Regents� Policy 301.5 also apply.

 

6)�������� For students who complete all of their coursework at one institution of the Montana University System, the following provisions will apply:

a)       individual programs may require a grade of �C� or better in all of the courses that satisfy the requirements of their major, minor, option or certificate; students must be notified of that expectation at the time they enroll in the program;

b)       individual programs may require a grade of �C� or better in all or some of the coursework making up the general education program at that institution; students must be notified of that expectation at the time they enroll in the program;

c)       a grade below a �C� is evidence that the student has not sufficiently mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to take more coursework in the same discipline.� Students will be advised that, if they choose to take a higher level in that discipline, they do so at their own risk.

 

7)�������� The specific program expectations, set out in section 6 above, also apply to transfer students and their subsequent coursework at the new institution.

 

Definitions:

 

1)       �Other postsecondary institutions� includes the Colleges of Technology within the Montana University System, including those that are affiliated with another institution.

 

2)� �A grade of �C� or better does not include a �C-.�