Grading

Non-Clinical Nursing and General Education (GE) Courses

The College uses a four-point grading system for non-clinical nursing and GE courses:

Grading in Nursing Clinical (or lab) Courses

The College uses a four-point grading system for nursing clinical (or lab) nursing courses:

Note:  A final grade of “F” will be assigned in a clinical nursing course if the clinical/lab component of the course is not satisfactory and/or the theoretical component is less than a grade of “C.”  Students must pass the clinical/lab portion of nursing clinical courses in addition to achieving a passing grade for theory, in order to pass the course.

Expectations of the student are to demonstrate progression, an increase in their ability to care for complex patients, a decrease in guidance needed, and movement in the nursing course along the continuum of the performance and principles learned using the numeric rating scale from being dependent at beginning of clinical term to being competent at end of term, then strive to achieve being self-directed.

For successful completion and to receive credit for the clinical component of Nursing XXX, the student must achieve a criterion overall rating of 90% at the 3 or Competent level in clinical objectives and behaviors by end of clinical term and final evaluation. This indicates that the student’s clinical performance is safe, prepared, organized, and demonstrates application of clinical objectives/behaviors, theoretical concepts, and synthesis of learning for that clinical nursing course.

The student does not receive credit for the clinical component of Nursing XXX for criterion overall rating of less than 90% at the 3 or Component level in objectives and behaviors at end of clinical term and final evaluation. This indicates that the student’s clinical performance is unprepared, disorganized, and does not demonstrate application of clinical objectives/behaviors, theoretical concepts, and synthesis of learning for that clinical nursing course.

Paired Courses (Co-Requisites) 

As noted in the Course Descriptions, certain courses are meant to be taken concurrently with other courses in pairs called “co-requisite courses.'' Students must pass both paired courses in order to progress in the program (i.e. students failing one course of a co-requisite pair will automatically fail the other course in the pair). Students not meeting attendance may be dropped from both the course and the co-requisite course. 

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average (GPA) determines the student’s academic status. Mount Carmel College of Nursing reports both the semester and cumulative GPAs on the grade report. The grade point average is obtained by dividing the sum of the “points earned” by the sum of the “hours attempted.”

Canvas Scores

Canvas course management software provides students with centralized access to courses. Scores recorded in Canvas are not “official” course grades. Final course grades are official only when they have been verified by faculty and recorded by the Office of Records and Registration.

Grade Reports

Official reporting of student grades is through the Office of Records and Registration at the completion of each term/semester.

Students without “holds” on their accounts can view and print final grades via CARMELink. Final grade reports are not mailed to students. Students who require official hard-copy grade reports must contact the Office of Records and Registration in Marian Hall.

Incomplete Grades

After discussion with the faculty, an Incomplete (I) grade will be issued to a student who is unable to complete all course requirements due to illness or other serious problems. Incompletes are assigned by the course instructor. Under normal circumstances, incomplete coursework must be completed by the end of the sixth week following the end of a semester. If course requirements are not met by this deadline, the “I” grade is changed to a grade of “F”. Extensions beyond the sixth week must be negotiated with the faculty member.  Incomplete grades may impact student progression.

A student with good academic standing in the course is permitted to enroll in subsequent level (based on program of study) courses while completing incomplete requirements. However, should the student not earn a passing grade, as defined in course syllabi, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the subsequent level course (when subsequent level progression is a prerequisite for a course) and/or the student may receive a new plan of study or will be notified that they will be reviewed by the Academic Progression Committee based on course failures.

Time Required for Coursework - Graduate and Doctoral Programs

It is customary for graduate students who are enrolled in a 3-credit hour class to have a face-to-face presence for approximately 3 hours per week, or an online classroom presence of approximately 3 hours per week.

In addition, for each credit hour of academic credit, the student can expect an average of 3 hours per week outside the classroom in reading, writing, quizzes, or assignment work. In summary, for each 3-credit hour class in which graduate students are enrolled, they can expect an average weekly time commitment of 12 hours of academic work.

The MCCN Graduate and DNP Programs follow a flexible due date policy. If the student is unable to meet an assignment deadline, an extension can be negotiated between the course faculty and the student in advance of the assignment due date. Extensions will not be granted after an assignment is due. If an assignment is not turned in on the original due date or the negotiated due date, there will be a 10% deduction for each day the assignment is late (up to 30%). Late assignments will not be accepted after the third day, which will result in a grade of 0. There is no limitation to the number of extensions that a student can request, however, all coursework must be completed by the end of the course or a student may not be able to progress in their program of study. If a student requests more than two extensions, they will be required to meet with course faculty to discuss strategies for success. 

*NOTE: The flexible deadline policy does not pertain to standardized testing that originates from an outside organization due to setup limitations (i.e. Pre/Post-Predicator Exams). 

*NOTE: Clinical practicum hours must be completed by the last day of the semester in order for the student to pass the course.