MONTANA BOARD OF REGENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Policy and Procedures Manual

SUBJECT: ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Policy 3XXXX Minimum Course Grades
Effective: XXX

Board policy:

1) In evaluating undergraduate coursework from other postsecondary institutions, the four-year campuses within the Montana University System will only accept courses with a grade of "C" or better, exclusive of the permissive exception set out in section 3 of this policy.

2) Since two-year institutions are generally open-admission campuses within the Montana University System, those campuses may accept passing grades below a "C," from other postsecondary institutions, in order to assist students with their education plans.

3) Since an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree is ordinarily considered a terminal credential, those programs may accept passing grades below a "C" from other postsecondary institutions, in order to assist students with their education plans.

4) If two-year institutions or associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degrees choose to accept grades below a "C", under this policy, they must make an affirmative effort to:

a)       notify students that they will have to have an overall grade point average of 2.00 or better before they can graduate;

b)       explain the institution's internal policies concerning satisfactory academic progress, so students know what is expected of them during their matriculation at the institution; and

c)       explain to students that grades below a "C" will not be accepted if they decide to transfer to a four-year institution within the Montana University System.

5) In evaluating coursework from other postsecondary institutions, the provisions of Montana Board of Regents' Policy 301.5 also apply.

6) For students who complete all of their coursework at one institution of the Montana University System, the following provisions will apply:

a)       individual programs may require a grade of "C" or better in all of the courses that satisfy the requirements of their major, minor, option or certificate; students must be notified of that expectation at the time they enroll in the program;

b)       individual programs may require a grade of "C" or better in all or some of the coursework making up the general education program at that institution; students must be notified of that expectation at the time they enroll in the program;

c)       a grade below a "C" is evidence that the student has not sufficiently mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to take more coursework in the same discipline. Students will be advised that, if they choose to take a higher level in that discipline, they do so at their own risk.

7) The specific program expectations, set out in section 6 above, also apply to transfer students and their subsequent coursework at the new institution.

 

Definitions:

1)       "Other postsecondary institutions" includes the Colleges of Technology within the Montana University System, including those that are affiliated with another institution.

2) "A grade of "C" or better" does not include a "C-."