December 2009
Promotion and Grading and Recognition of
Academic Excellence at Mohawk College
A. General
Effective Fall 2009, Mohawk College is introducing changes to promotion and grading. These
changes are reflected in two revised policies posted on the College website: the Grading and
Transcript Policy AC702 and Program Promotion and Graduation Requirements Policy
AC700.
These policies apply to all students registered in applicable Postsecondary, Continuing Education,
Apprenticeship and Community Training courses. It is recognized that some exceptions to promotion and
grading may be necessary in some program areas to meet external accreditation requirements. The
College has established the Grading and Promotion Standards Committee to ensure fair and consistent
review of all requests for exception. Approved exceptions are listed in this document in sections C and D.
B. The College Grading System
Effective Fall 2009
The College uses a percentage grading system of 0-100%, and the course passing grade is
50%. Promotion to the next semester requires a weighted grade point average of 60%
subject to the rules outlined in the Program Promotion and Graduation Requirements
Policy AC700. To graduate an overall WGPA of minimally 60% is required.
Summary of Promotion Policy
Weighted GPA
0 Failures
<50%
1 Failure
Compulsory
Withdrawal
More than one Failure
Compulsory Withdrawal
>=50% and <60%
Promote with Advice
Promote with Advice
Probation
>=60%
Promote with Good
Standing
Promote with Advice
Probation
Below are the Other Transcript Designations used by Mohawk College. Details and the
uses of each are fully defined in the Grading and Transcript Policy AC702. This policy also
establishes the criteria for award of Dean’s Honours and Honours Graduate designations.
Percentage Grading System
100 – 50 %
Less than 50%
Other Transcript Designations
AC
AN
AU
E
I
UW
CR
R
FL
Passing grade (in most programs)
Failing grade
Attendance Complete
Attendance Not Met
Audit
Exemption Granted
Incomplete
Unofficial Withdrawal
Credit Granted
Requirements Met
Requirements Not Met
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December 2009
C. Exceptions to the Grading System
Program/Course
Code
School
Program of Study
Engineering
All Apprenticeship programs
Health Sciences
All diploma and certificate programs
60% promotion course pass
all courses
60% promotion course pass
excluding general education
and elective
60% graduation promotion
Except:





Health Sciences
Health Sciences
Exception to Policy
OTA/PTA
Emergency Medical Responder
Medical Device Reprocessing
Personal Support Worker
CE Special Interest courses for
Personal Support Workers
 CE Palliative Care for Personal Support
Workers
 Preparatory Biology
Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography
Cardiovascular Technology
717
728
Instructor for Blind & Visually Impaired: Rehab
Instructor for Blind & Visually Impaired: OM
133
132
60% promotion course pass
excluding general education
and elective
70% semester promotion,
70% graduation promotion
60% and 70% promotion course
pass (see academic program
area for details)
excluding general education
and elective
70% semester promotion,
70% graduation promotion
D. Exceptions to Graduation Timelines (normally 5 years)
School
Program of Study
Program/Course
Code
Exception to Policy
Health Sciences
Practical Nursing
715
2 year currency
Health Sciences
Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography
717
2 year currency
Health Sciences
Cardiovascular Technology
728
2 year currency
Health Sciences
715
3 year currency
Health Sciences
CE Registered Practical Nurse Diploma
Completion Program
Bridging for Internationally Educated Nurses
189
3 year currency
Health Sciences
Refresher (RN/RPN)
3 year currency
Health Sciences
RPN OR Programs and courses
884
069
155
3 year currency
E. Continuing Education Diploma and Certificates
For many Continuing Education diplomas and certificates, it is not possible to schedule a
promotion meeting or event; therefore it the student’s responsibility to diligently monitor his/her
academic performance to ensure that they will meet the graduation requirements of an overall
Weighted Grade Point Average (WGPA) of 60% when all courses have been completed. If a
WGPA of 60% is not achieved, the student must repeat course(s) to achieve this. The highest
passing grade of any repeated course is used in the calculation of the WGPA for graduation.
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December 2009
F. Previous Grading Systems (reflected on transcripts with grades posted prior to
Fall 2009)
Previous Numeric/Alpha Grades
Effective Fall 2004
Fall 1991 – Spring 2004
Percentage Grades
Alpha Grades
100 – 95
A+
94 – 90
A
89 – 85
A84 – 80
B+
79 – 75
B
74 – 70
B69 – 65
C+
64 – 60
C
59 – 0
F
Previous Requirements Met/Requirements Not Met
Effective Fall 2004
Fall 1991 – Spring 2004
Percentage Grades
Alpha Grades
R
R
FL
F
Previous Other Designations
Effective Fall 2004
Fall 1991 – Spring 2004
Percentage Grades
Alpha Grades
AC
AC
AN
AN
AU
AU
E
E
I
I
UW
UW
CR
CR
1978 – Spring 1991
Numeric Grades
4 (Range of Excellent)
3 (Range of Good)
2 (Range of Acceptable – Pass)
Range of Unacceptable
Description
Requirements Met
Requirements Not Met
Description
Attendance Complete
Attendance Not Met
Audit
Exemption Granted
Incomplete
Unofficial Withdrawal
Credit Granted
F. Recognition of Academic Excellence
Dean’s Honours Dean’s Honours will be awarded at the end of each semester
by the Associate Dean of each School to students in full–time status according to
Ministry guidelines who have received a Weighted GPA greater than or equal to
85% (A-), with no failed grades (grades less than 50%).
Honours Graduate This distinction is conferred on graduates who achieve a
Weighted GPA greater than or equal to 85% (A-) on completion of a specified
Program of Studies with no failed grades (grades less than 50%) within the time
frame established by the School with academic responsibility for the program.
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