Pass/Fail Option

Administrative Rule
5.0303.02
Council: Academic and Student Affairs Council
Effective date: 04/01/20

Value Statement

The Austin Community College District will provide flexible educational opportunities to students including, when appropriate, a pass/fail grading option.

Administrative Rule

The pass/fail grading option is available for a course only if the college catalog specifies this option. If a given course permits two options of a letter grade or pass/fail grade, the student must declare the pass/fail option by the last day allowed for add/drop. Students may not change the pass/fail grading option status after the add/drop date.

A passing grade is defined as the equivalent of a “C” grade or better. A “P” (Passing) achieved in a course under a pass/fail option will not be used in calculating cumulative GPA. An “F” (Failing) received in a course taken under a pass/fail option will be used in calculating GPA.

A student may take a maximum of 10 semester credit hours in the pass/fail option format.

Instructional Departments, upon approval by the Dean, will determine the courses in their respective degree plans in which a student could exercise the pass/fail option.

Modifications of Administrative Rule Implemented for Spring 2020 Semester in response to COVID-19:

  • This section overrides the procedures listed in the previous section titled Administrative Rule.
  • For the Spring 2020 semester, due to the significant disruptions to the normal learning environment caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic, ACC has expanded students’ ability to choose the Pass/No Pass option for grading. Students will be permitted (but not required) to convert any Spring 2020 course sections to pass/no-pass grading. The following procedures will apply.
    • At the end of the semester, all faculty will submit letter grades to the Registrar’s office.
    • Students will have until May 29th, 2020, to elect pass/no-pass grading.
    • There is no limit on the number of Spring 2020 course sections students can convert to pass/no-pass grading. Students can make the decision on a course-by-course basis.
    • Only grades of C or better in a course can be converted to P (Pass). Grades of D and F may be converted to NP (No-Pass).
    • All courses for which students receive passing (P) grades will count toward ACC degree requirements, which may override some departmental or college policies.
    • Students should consider the possible implications of electing the pass/no-pass option (e.g., on course transfer, GPA calculations, financial aid, etc.).
    • A grade of pass/no-pass will not count toward a student’s GPA; however a grade of pass will count toward earned semester hours.
    • All academic transcripts will have a note added to Spring 2020 indicating the pass/no-pass grading option is due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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