NorQuest College uses two systems for the reporting of final grades in credit courses. All final grades are reported to the Office of the Registrar.
The Alberta Common Grade Scheme became effective September 2002. Courses may have a passing grade higher than "D" or "50-54". For these courses, anything below the minimum pass will be graded as an "F".
A grade point average is a weighted average of a student’s grades. GPA is calculated according to the formula using the credits assigned to each course and the grade points received. The calculations used in recording a student’s grades are:
Example:
Total Grade Points = 15.0, Total Credits taken = 9.0, GPA = 15/9 = 1.67
NorQuest College calculates a term GPA at the end of each summer, fall, winter, and spring term. The term GPA appears on the transcript. A cumulative GPA is also calculated and appears on the transcript. The cumulative GPA is the average GPA maintained over all credit courses taken at NorQuest. The cumulative GPA is calculated separately for foundational/academic upgrading courses and post-secondary courses.
If a course is repeated, credit for the highest grade will be used in the calculation of the GPA. The college may limit the number of times a credit course may be repeated.
Post-secondary certificate and diploma programs (excluding employment certificates) recognize the Honours distinction for outstanding academic achievement. The college honours criteria is an overall grade point average of 3.7 or greater, with no courses having been failed or repeated. Honours distinction will be noted on the transcript and parchment of qualified graduates.
NorQuest College provides opportunities for the privilege of registering in a course(s) as an auditor, upon written approval by the Program Chair.
An audited course is not credited toward the requirements of any college credential. There will be no course evaluation, progress report, and no grades calculated towards a grade point average awarded to the student (the grade denoted on the transcript is “AUD”). Participation in the classroom is left to the discretion of the instructor. Some courses may be closed to auditing at the discretion of the Program Chair if the course is oversubscribed or equipment is limited.
Auditing is not allowed in practicum or lab courses and in some designated programs. A change in status from regular to audit is permitted only within the first two meetings of the class. Auditors must adhere to the standard add and drop periods. See Registration for further details.
Fees for auditing a course or program are 50% of the tuition fee, and the full cost for the program and supplies fee and book rental fee (if applicable). Auditing students do not pay a Students’ Association fee or student services fee, and are ineligible for the health and dental plans.
Note: This practice is currently under review and may change. For more information, check with the Office of the Registrar.
NorQuest College recognizes prior learning by assigning credits for skills and knowledge acquired through work, non-formal education or training, self-study, or volunteer activities.
If you have acquired skills and knowledge outside the traditional classroom setting that are equivalent to our course outcomes, you may qualify to receive college credits toward a career program.
Contact the Program Chair to determine your eligibility.
If you are eligible, the Program Chair will provide information on fees and the types of prior learning assessment that may be conducted (portfolio assessments, etc.).
If you are eligible for prior learning assessment, you will be contacted by subject specialists from the program in which you want to register to discuss your next steps in the process. Fees for assessing prior learning may be charged.
Some post-secondary programs may allow students to write challenge exams to obtain credit for specific courses. If you have acquired skills or knowledge, which are relevant to the outcomes of a specific course, you may request permission from the Program Chair to enrol in and complete a challenge exam. A challenged course will appear on a student’s transcript with the grade obtained in the exam and will contribute to the grade point average. Some courses may not be eligible for challenge exam at the discretion of the Program Chair. Challenge exam fees apply.
For high school equivalency challenge exams only, refer to the Challenge Exam Centre.
See Academic Grade Appeal for more information related to grade appeal procedures.