ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The curriculum of 77 credit hours is predetermined for most students each semester and includes general education and maritime courses. The academic year consists of two academic semesters of approximately 15 weeks each and either a Cooperative Program or a Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping Internship (SCWI) also known as a Sea Term during the summer months. Monday through Friday students are required to be at the muster location by 0750, attend morning meetings, and remain on campus until 1700. The last 30 minutes of each weekday (1630-1700) are dedicated to students’ participation in the Student Responsibility Program. Some class sessions are all day, such as lifeboat training, firefighting, and boat time sessions on the institute’s training vessels and will be integrated into each cohort’s schedule.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Students will be awarded a single, alphabetical grade certified by the instructor before the reporting deadline which is noted on the academic calendar. Those who meet all the parameters will be placed on the Lemley List for academic distinction.

GRADING STANDARDS

NOTE: Although earning a 63.5% in general education courses constitutes a passing grade, the following Nautical Science courses and corresponding scores represent the courses and minimum grades required to pass in accordance with USCG standards.

ST 101 Auxiliary Sail NS 101 Basic Safety NS 103 Nautical Science NS110 Navigation Rules NS106 Survival Craft NS 131 Intro Shiphandling NS 203 Bridge Resource Management NS 208 RADAR/ARPA NS 201 Terrestrial Nav. ME 202 Naval Arch. / Stability NS 201 Marine Engineering NS 202 Electronic Nav. 70% 4 modules each 70% 2 modules each 70% 90% (70 to pass course) 70% *Not a USCG mandate-70% 2 modules each 70% 2 modules 70% for RADAR, 80% for ARPA 90% (70% to pass course) *Not a USCG mandate-70% *Not a USCG mandate-70% 80%

NS 220 Tankerman PIC 70%

NS 232 Adv. Ship Handling

70% NS 255 Marine Meteorology *Not a USCG mandate-70% ST202 Ocean Voyaging and Vessel Mgt 70%

NS 260 200 Ton License Prep (*courses are testable material in 200ton final exams)

Rules of the Road Chart Navigation Navigation Problems Navigation General Deck Safety Deck General 90% 90% 80% 70% 70% 70%

FINAL EXAMS

Every course offered for credit requires a final examination or project as part of the course’s curriculum. No final examination may be given at any time or place other than those published in the examination schedule, except when directed or approved by the CAO. Missing a final examination will result in a zero (0) for the examination unless the student provides proof to his or her instructor that the absence was excusable. After the proof is presented, the instructor and/or the CAO will determine whether the absence is deemed excused.

CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE (CGPA)

Student work will be evaluated and graded by the instructor instructing the course. Course work can include, but is not limited to homework assignments, quizzes, exams, labs and/or independent studies that are eligible for grading according to the individual instructor’s grading system. Instructors will outline their grading system in the course syllabus. The final grade for each course will be given according to a one-hundred-point system which will then translate to a four-point system to evaluate the student’s grade point average per semester. Students will be able to view grades as they are available. The student’s cumulative grade point average is computed at the end of each semester based on grade number values as follows:

Letter Grade Grade Point Numeric Scale Letter Grade Grade Point Numeric Scale

A AB+ 4.0 3.7 3.3 92.5-100 90-92.4 87. 5-89.9 C* CD+ 2.0 72.5-77.4 1.7 70-72.4 1 .3 67.5- 69.9

B B3.0 2.7 82.05- 87.4 80- 82.4 D F 1.0 63.5 -67.4 0.0 Below 63.5

C+ 2.3 77.5-79.9 * Grades here and above constitute good academic standing. Any student receiving a numeric grade less than 63.5 will receive an “F” letter grade and no point value.

These assigned values are multiplied by the number of credit hours of each course to establish the quality points. The total quality points are divided by the total credit hours to determine the CPGA.

The following grade are not computed into the CGPA:

• AU: Audit • I: Incomplete • P: Pass • W: Withdraw • WC: Withdraw with credit attempted

If a student withdraws from a class, an official withdrawal form must be filed with the Office of the Registrar to ensure accuracy of student records. If the student fails to officially withdraw, a failing grade could result.

ACADEMIC STANDING

A student’s academic standing is determined by the cumulative grade point average (CPGA) required, meeting minimum academic standards based on the student’s credit count of courses successfully completed at Northeast Maritime Institute. Students with a CPGA of 2.0 or above are considered in Good Academic Standing.

Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is a term used to describe successful completion of coursework toward a degree or certificate. This policy applies to all students who receive federal and state financial aid, NMI scholarships, grants, departmental awards, tuition pledge programs and some awards from external sources. The following are the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards, which students must meet to maintain satisfactory academic progress for financial aid: 1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (Qualitative Measure) A student must maintain cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher.

2. Cumulative Pace of Unit Completion (Quantitative Measure) A student must complete at least 67% of the total number of courses that they attempt (all completed units divided by all attempted units). All courses with grades of A, B, C, D, or F as well as P, W, I, IP, NP, NC, and repeated courses will be counted towards the total attempted courses. All courses with grades of A, B, C, D and P will be counted toward total completed units.

3. Maximum Timeframe Complete a degree or certificate program in no more than 150% of the average published length of the program in credit hours.

GRADE APPEALS PROCESS

The grade appeal policy is designed to resolve a student’s specific concerns about a final course grade. If a student feels that a final course grade is inaccurate, the student must make an appointment with the faculty member to discuss the matter informally. The appointment must be requested within the first two weeks of the academic semester following the semester in which the grade was earned. Every effort will be made to resolve the student’s concerns informally.

If the student’s concerns are not resolved through the informal appeal, the student may pursue a formal appeal process by meeting with the Chief Academic Officer. The burden of proof is on the student to show that the grade is inaccurate. The formal appeal must be initiated within two weeks after the conclusion of the informal process. The formal process commences when the student submits, in writing, a description of the basis for the grievance, including any corroborating materials, to the CAO. The CAO will promptly notify the instructor of the formal appeal. Within two weeks of said notification, the instructor must address the concerns of the student in writing and submit the response to the CAO. The CAO will then make an assessment as to the validity of the student’s grievance and provide a written copy of any recommendations to both the instructor and student. Regardless of the nature of the recommendation of the CAO, it remains the sole prerogative of the instructor to change the grade. Exceptions to the policy may be permitted if the CAO determines that clear and compelling extenuating circumstances exist.

ACADEMIC REVIEW

A student is placed on Academic Review when his/her CGPA falls below a 2.0 but remains above the probationary level. Students placed on Academic Review will be notified by the Chief Academic Officer and be required to meet with an academic advisor prior to enrolling for the next semester.