Student Evaluation and Grades

Classroom instructors grade students on their course work and submit evaluations on the caliber of each student’s work. The purpose of grading is evaluative, as well as to provide a learning tool for students, i.e., to provide feedback on progress, strengths and weaknesses, and issues that need to be addressed. Cumulative grade point average is based on full letter grades, not plus or minus grades. Only letter grades are recorded in the students’ transcript. Instructors are required to submit full letter grades (not pluses or minuses) within two weeks after classes end.

Grading Standards

Grades are assigned according to the following standard:

A Superior work 4.0 value

B Satisfactory work 3.0 value

C Marginal work 2.0 value

F Failure 0.0 value

P Pass 0.0 value, only to be assigned in Case Conference, Clinical and Research Practicum and Transfer Credits

IP In Progress Credit Deferred, Clinical and Research Practicum Only

AU Audit* 0.0 value

I Incomplete 0.0 value, awaiting grade

Incompletes: An incomplete can be granted only in cases of significant personal emergency and when the student has been in touch with the instructor in advance of the due date for the required work. Any incompletes must be resolved by the last day of the following semester (fall, spring, summer). If the work has not been completed by this date, the incomplete grade will convert to a failing grade. It is always the student’s responsibility to initiate the process for an incomplete. It is also the responsibility of the student to turn in the completed work by the following semester’s end.

Late Assignments: A late assignment is one that is submitted after the deadline but before grades are submitted. Approval for turning assignments in late is determined by individual instructors.

Assignment of Credit Policy

In the Master’s Program, the standard course extends over a fifteen‐week period including final examinations week. Master’s courses carry one credit for every fifteen class hours (encompassing both synchronous and asynchronous class time.) For every one‐hour of class students are expected to do a minimum of two hours of work outside instructional time for each credit hour awarded. Courses in the PhD Program (onsite and distance) carry one credit for every eight class hours. One credit hour is equivalent to eight hours spent in class and a minimum of two hours work outside instructional for each credit hour awarded. Credit is earned if a student receives an A through C, or P grade.

Please note that a grade of F, I, IP, or Audit does not earn credit.

Transfer Credit Policy

ICSW accepts, on an individual basis, transfer of credits from other accredited Master’s or Doctoral Programs for courses which are equivalent to courses in the curriculum of ICSW’s Master’s or Doctoral Program pending evaluation of, and approval by, the Academic Dean. Courses from non‐accredited programs, including analytic institutes, may be considered for transfer credit with approval of the Academic

Dean, provided that the proposed course(s) to transfer meet all other criteria outlined in this policy.

Criteria for Evaluation of Transfer Credit:

 The evaluation will include a judgment of the general similarity in content and clock hours. Transcripts and syllabi must be provided by the student for review prior to granting transfer credit approval.

 ICSW will accept credits totaling no more than twenty percent of the required coursework in any ICSW degree program.

 Courses may be no more than 5 years old to be considered for transfer credit.

If all the above criteria are met, the student must successfully complete an evaluation of student learning to demonstrate knowledge of course content as determined by an appropriate ICSW faculty member selected by the Academic Dean. If the faculty member determines competency of the course content, the student will be provided transfer credit (Grade of “TR”) as a substitution for taking the class and will not need to take it to complete their degree at ICSW.

Any articulation agreements regarding transfer arrangements between ICSW and other institutions will be listed within this policy.

NOTE REGARDING LICENSING REQUIREMENTS: It is the responsibility of the student/licensing applicant to ensure that coursework from institutions outside of ICSW submitted to the licensing board for license applications meet state requirements. Acceptance by ICSW of transfer coursework to be applied toward one’s degree at ICSW does not guarantee the acceptance of other institutions’ classes by the state for licensure.