Matriculation Status and Change of Major
Matriculation Status
Matriculated status is granted to every student who is admitted into a degree or certificate program at Suffolk County Community College. Matriculation assures a student that the requirements for a particular program which are in effect at the time of matriculation will remain in effect until that student graduates.
Matriculated students may attend classes on a part-time (1-11.5 credits per semester) or full-time (12 or more credits per semester) basis and may schedule their classes during the days, evenings, weekends, or online on any of the college's three campuses. To be eligible for financial aid, students must be matriculated and taking courses required for or applicable to their current degree program.
Loss of matriculation occurs if the student:
- applied and was accepted to the College, but never attended.
- was matriculated in a program with limited seat availability (e.g., Automotive Service Specialist, Automotive Business, Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, Emergency Medical Technician: Paramedic, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Toyota T-TEN Automotive Service, and Veterinary Science Technology) and did not attend during the semester of acceptance (excluding wintersession and summer session).
- did not enroll in credit-bearing courses at the College for two or more consecutive semesters (excluding wintersession and summer session).
- was academically dismissed or if the student's matriculation status was rescinded for academic reasons.
- graduated from Suffolk and is not subsequently pursuing an additional degree or certificate.
Non-Matriculated Status
Non-matriculated status is assigned to any student who wishes to take classes at Suffolk County Community College but who has not been admitted into a degree or certificate program or for a student who has lost matriculation status. Non-matriculated students can register for 1 through 11.5 credits per semester and are not eligible for financial aid.
Non-matriculated students in good academic standing must apply for admission or readmission to continue in a program and are required to follow the curriculum requirements for the term of application. Students who have previously attended Suffolk, but are not in good academic standing, must see a Campus Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for evaluation of readmitting into a program.
Course Registration and Prerequisite Policies
All course prerequisite requirements must be met and verified by students prior to registration. This condition will be considered provisionally satisfied for registration purposes when it is assumed that these courses will be successfully completed prior to the start of courses that require the in-progress courses as prerequisites and with the provision that students will be deregistered if these courses are not successfully completed.
Matriculated students who have submitted documentation of prior high school and college experience will automatically be allowed or disallowed registration based on the presence or absence of prerequisite requirements in their histories. Whenever a student's history could include transfer courses or examination scores (such as Advanced Placement test scores) that would fulfill prerequisite requirements, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that this information is entered into his or her history by requesting a transfer evaluation in advance of registration.
Non-matriculated students, or other students who have not submitted documentation of prior high school and college experience, must submit a Prerequisite Waiver Request Form to an Academic Dean who has been identified by an Executive Dean as having responsibility for reviewing such requests. Students seeking prerequisite waivers must verify that they have met prerequisites by submitting high school or college transcripts, taking and passing proficiency examinations, or providing other documentation that may be deemed relevant, such as, SAT, ACT, and NYS Regents Examination scores. Students who do not have these documents will be given the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) to provide guidelines for placement.
Non-matriculated students registering for courses online are directed to email or fax the Prerequisite Waiver Request Form and copies of high school and college transcripts and other relevant documentation to an appropriate academic dean. Based on the evidence provided and the course placement guidelines, the Academic Dean will approve or reject the requested prerequisite waiver.
Grading Policies
Semester grades are available to students on the student portal (MySCCC) at the close
of each semester. The instructor’s analysis of each student’s academic achievement
will be in accordance with the following grading system:
A 90%-100%
B+ 85%-89%
B 80%-84%
C+ 75%-79%
C 70%-74%
D+ 65%-69%
D 60%-64%
F 59% or below
Students receiving grades of U/UN/R/INC/F/FN or a W (withdrawal) may affect a student's academic progress and can result in a student being placed on academic warning, dismissal, and/or losing financial aid. Students will be deregistered from courses where a prerequisite was not successfully completed due to a U/UN/R/INC/F/FN/W, or other grade as required by the course.
Suffolk County Community College does not offer pass/fail grades as part of the grading system.
FN (Failure Due to Attendance)
The FN grade is given at the discretion of faculty and indicates a failing grade due
to lack of attendance. The FN is equivalent to an F in grade point average computations.
INC (Incomplete)
Students who are ill or are unable for other valid reasons to complete the semesters
work may at the discretion of the instructor receive an INC on their transcript. All
work must be completed within the first four weeks of the subsequent semester; otherwise
the INC will automatically become an F or will become a U for students in a remedial
course.
S (Satisfactory)
This grade is given only for developmental courses, which do not satisfy degree requirements:
RDG096, RDG098, RDG099, ENG009, ENG010, ENG011, ENG012, ESL011, ESL012, ESL013, ESL014,
ESL015, ESL016, ESL017, ESL018, MAT001 and MAT001L. The S grade indicates successful
completion of the course, but is not used in grade point average computation.
SA, SB, SC
These grades are used for MAT006, MAT007, MAT007L, and MAT009 only, which are developmental
courses and do not satisfy degree requirements.
SA = 90%-100%
SB = 80%-89%
SC = 70%-79%
S grades are not used in grade point average computations.
U (Unsatisfactory)
This grade is given only for developmental courses, which do not satisfy degree requirements:
MAT001, MAT001L, MAT006, MAT007, MAT007L, MAT009, RDG096, RDG098, RDG099, ENG009,
ENG010, ENG011, ENG012, ESL011, ESL012, ESL013, ESL014, ESL015, ESL016, ESL017, and
ESL018. The U grade indicates the course was not successfully completed and is not
used in grade point average computations.
UN (Unsatisfactory Due To Attendance)
This grade is given only for developmental courses, which do not satisfy degree requirements:
MAT001, MAT001L, MAT006, MAT007, MAT007L, MAT009, RDG096, RDG098, RDG099, ENG009,
ENG010, ENG011, ENG012, ESL011, ESL012, ESL013, ESL014, ESL015, ESL016, ESL017, and
ESL018. The UN grade is given at the discretion of faculty and indicates an unsatisfactory
grade due to lack of attendance for a developmental course. The UN grade indicates
the course was not successfully completed and is not used in grade point average computations.
R (Repeat)
This grade is given only for developmental courses, which do not satisfy degree requirements:
MAT001, MAT001L, MAT006, MAT007, MAT007L, MAT009, RDG096, RDG098, RDG099, ENG009,
ENG010, ENG011, ENG012, ESL011, ESL012, ESL013, ESL014, ESL015, ESL016, ESL017, and
ESL018. The R grade indicates the need for a student to re-register for the same course
in a subsequent semester, usually because the student, while making progress in that
course, has not yet completed all the course requirements. The R grade is not used
in grade point average computations.
W (Withdrawal)
A student may withdraw from a course and receive a W any time up to the withdrawal
deadline, which is the end of two-thirds of the semester or term. After the withdrawal
deadline, a student may request to withdraw from a class only at the discretion of
the instructor. The W is not considered a grade and is not used in grade point average
computations.
AUD (Audit)
To audit a course, a student must notify the Campus Registrar while registering and
paying for that course in accord with normal registration procedures. When a student
audits a course, a grade of “AUD” will be recorded and no academic credit will be
given. An auditor, by definition, is not required to take tests, write term papers
or submit homework assignments, but is expected to participate in class to the extent
deemed reasonable and necessary by the instructor. A student must inform the instructor
at the first class meeting of his or her intention to take the course on an audit
basis. Once this intention is stated, the student may not change from audit to credit
status. Because some courses may be inappropriate for auditing, students should consult
with the appropriate academic administrator before registering.
NOTE: Audited courses are not eligible for financial aid. Seniors: Suffolk County residents 60 years of age or older pay fees but no tuition.
Students who believe they have received an incorrect grade should first discuss this matter with their instructor. If he or she agrees with the student's request, the instructor will submit a change of grade form to the appropriate Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. All faculty approved requests for grade changes must be made within two years of completion of the course. Changes submitted beyond two years require Executive Dean review.
A student may appeal an instructor's decision not to change a grade through the Course Grade Grievance Procedure, which must be initiated within the first three weeks of the semester following the semester in which the student took the course. This four-step procedure, which is outlined in the student handbook, continues, if necessary, through ascending levels of administrative authority. If this grievance is not resolved at the faculty, academic chair, or associate dean levels, the student may present his or her case in writing to the Executive Dean. Within ten calendar days of receipt of the student's written request, the Executive Dean may convene a committee to hear the grievance and to provide written recommendations. Students who have questions about the Grade Grievance Procedure should consult with the appropriate departmental office or dean.
Academic Standing
A system of points is used to assess the quality of each students work for a semester or more and is computed as a cumulative grade point average. Grades earned by students have a numerical quality value as follows:
| Quality Points | Grade Per Credit Hour |
| A | 4.0 |
| B+ | 3.5 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C+ | 2.5 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D+ | 1.5 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0 |
A cumulative grade point average is computed by dividing the total number of quality points received by the number of credit hours earned. For example, a student who has earned 30 credit hours and has received a total of 60 quality points has a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. The following factors must also be taken into consideration:
a. When transfer credits are granted for courses completed at another college, no quality points or grades are awarded; hence, such credits do not affect the cumulative grade point average at Suffolk County Community College.
b. A college-level course may be repeated one time. All course grades are retained on the student's transcript. For repeated courses, only the highest grade will count toward the cumulative grade point average and credit hours received by the student. A withdrawal is not considered a course attempt for this policy, however, the "W" grade will remain on the transcript. Contact the campus Office of Financial Aid to determine if the repeated course is covered by financial aid.
a. Following a change of curriculum or option, those courses with grades of D+, D and F that are specific to the old curriculum and not applicable to the new curriculum or applicable only as unrestricted electives, will be excluded in calculating the new cumulative grade point average, although all courses for which a student registers will appear on the transcript. It is the student's responsibility to petition the Campus Office of Academic Affairs to have his/her average computed. A student may have this rule applied to only one change of curriculum or option at the College.
b. A student who is readmitted to Suffolk County Community College after an absence of two or more consecutive semesters and has successfully completed 12 credits after readmission with a 2.0 average, may petition the Campus Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for a review of his/her previous Suffolk County Community College transcript. The transcript will be reviewed and grades of D+, D and F will be eliminated from computation of the grade point average, although all such courses will continue to appear on the transcript. This readmission review will be permitted only once before graduation.
Note: Once a student has authorized an academic review as described as an option above, he/she indicates an understanding and acceptance of the principle that when courses with D and D+ are excluded from calculation of the grade point average, the excluded courses and credits do not count toward graduation. An academic review includes ALL grades of D+, D and F. Once implemented, the actions taken pursuant to this policy are not revocable.
The previous Academic Probation policy will apply to student performance in Spring 2022. This policy can be found under the 2020-2022 College Catalog
Once a student attempts 12 resident credits, the College may place students on Academic Warning subject to academic dismissal if they fail to maintain a minimum grade point average.
Both full-time and part-time students will be placed on Academic Warning according to the standards outlined in this section. Students placed on Academic Warning do not lose their good academic standing. However, they must raise their cumulative grade point average sufficiently to remove themselves from Academic Warning.
Any full-time student who is placed on Academic Warning for two consecutive semesters will be dismissed at the end of the second semester. Any part-time student placed on Academic Warning for three consecutive semesters will be academically dismissed at the end of the third semester. Dismissed students lose their matriculation status and can enroll in no more than 11.5 credits.
These standards may be waived when such action is deemed by the Campus Associate Dean of Academic Affairs to be in the best interest of the student. Students who are academically dismissed may appeal as indicated under "Academic Dismissal."
Any student will automatically be placed on Academic Warning if he/she fails to meet the grade point average as outlined in the following criteria:
| Credit Hours Attempted | Minimum Cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) |
|
|---|---|---|
| 12-15 | 1.6 | |
| 16-30 | 1.7 | |
| 31-45 | 1.8 | |
| 46 or more | 2.0 |
A student will remain on academic warning unless subsequent academic performance removes him/her from Academic Warning status or if they are academically dismissed. Full-time students on Academic Warning may not register for more than 14 credits. Students on Academic Warning are required to see an academic advisor or counselor. Academic Warning is noted on the student’s unofficial transcript.
The previous Academic Dismissal policy will apply to student performance in Spring 2022. This policy can be found under the 2020-2022 College Catalog
As stated above, any full-time student who is placed on Academic Warning for two consecutive semesters will be dismissed at the end of the second semester. Any part-time student placed on Academic Warning for three consecutive semesters will be academically dismissed at the end of the third semester. Dismissed students lose their matriculation status, and can enroll in no more than 11.5 credits. A student who is academically dismissed may still take classes at SCCC on a part time, non-matriculated basis. Academic Dismissal will be noted on the student’s unofficial and official transcript. Students who are dismissed have the right to appeal if they feel an error has been made or other extenuating circumstances exist. Appeal for reinstatement is made in writing to the Campus Office of Academic Affairs. Appeals for reinstatement are considered by the campus Academic Appeals Board and/ or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Should the appeal be granted, the student shall be reinstated with Academic Warning status. A student thus readmitted will be “in good academic standing” with Academic Warning status.
Regular attendance is considered essential for academic success. Students are expected to attend every class session, no matter the modality, of each course for which they are registered. Excessive absences may have a negative impact on a student’s academic performance and/or eligibility for financial aid.
Each instructor must provide an attendance policy in the course syllabus, allowing for a minimum of one week’s worth of absences including absences due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances. For example, if a class meets twice a week in a 15-week term, a student must be entitled to at least two absences. The equivalent of one week may differ depending on the length of the term.
The College defines attendance in online courses as regular participation in course-related activities, which may include, but is not limited to: contributing to online discussion, engaging in virtual live instruction (when applicable), submitting an assignment, taking a quiz or exam, viewing and/or completing a tutorial, or communicating with a faculty member regarding course content. Logging into an online class is not sufficient, by itself, to demonstrate attendance or participation by the student.
Students absent from a class for any reason are responsible for any missed work and any other relevant requirements stated in the course syllabus. In the event that a student is absent, it is always recommended that the student contact the instructor to discuss missed work and class content.
Federal financial aid regulations require the College to report a student’s last date of attendance for each course; in most cases faculty will be asked to confirm this date. Consequently, faculty must take attendance at each class meeting.
In accordance with New York State Education Law, Section 224-a, any student who is unable, because of religious beliefs, to register or attend classes on a particular day or days will be excused from any examination, study, or work requirements [scheduled on that day]. It is the responsibility of the faculty to make available [to the student] an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements within a reasonable amount of time of the religious observance. It is the responsibility of students to notify their professor at least one week prior to the religious observance, via their College email accounts or otherwise in writing, of their intention to be absent from class.
Beginning in the fall of 2018, the College implemented a secular calendar in order to treat all religious observances equitably and to minimize disruptions to class schedules. The College adopted a Religious Observance Policy and Procedures to complement the implementation of a secular calendar.
As provided for in New York State Education Law § 224-a, student absences from class necessitated by religious observance will be deemed an excused absence, with no academic consequences. Students must notify their professor in advance of their religious observance, via their College email accounts or otherwise in writing, of their intention to be absent from a particular class due to a religious observance; notification should occur at least one week prior to the religious observance. Observing students shall be granted reasonable arrangements and/or be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up missed quizzes, tests, assignments, and activities covered in their absence.
Please refer to the College’s Religious Observance Policy and Procedures, which are available on the College Academic Calendar webpage, for additional information. Religious Observance FAQs are also available online for additional information.
New York State Education Law § 224-A
- No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a student to an institution of higher education for the reason that he or she is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to register or attend classes or to participate in any examination, study or work requirements on a particular day or days.
- Any student in an institution of higher education who is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular day or days shall, because of such absence on the particular day or days, be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements.
- It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each student who is absent from school, because of his or her religious beliefs, an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any examination, study or work requirements which he or she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such equivalent opportunity.
- If registration, classes, examinations, study or work requirements are held on Friday after four o’clock post meridian or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, study or work requirements or opportunity to register shall be made available on other days, where it is possible and practicable to do so. No special fees shall be charged to the student for these classes, examinations, study or work requirements or registration held on other days.
- In effectuating the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to exercise the fullest measure of good faith. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his or her availing himself or herself of the provisions of this section.
- Any student, who is aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty or administrative
officials to comply in good faith with the provisions of this section, shall be entitled
to maintain an action or proceeding in the supreme court of the county in which such
institution of higher education is located for the enforcement of his or her rights
under this section.
6-a It shall be the responsibility of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to give written notice to students of their rights under this section, informing that each student who is absent from school, because of his or her religious beliefs, must be given an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any examination, study or work requirements which he or she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to such student such equivalent opportunity. - As used in this section, the term "institution of higher education" shall mean any institution of higher education, recognized and approved by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, which provides a course of study leading to the granting of a post-secondary degree or diploma. Such term shall not include any institution which is operated, supervised or controlled by a church or by a religious or denominational organization whose educational programs are principally designed for the purpose of training ministers or other religious functionaries or for the purpose of propagating religious doctrines. As used in this section, the term "religious belief" shall mean beliefs associated with any corporation organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes, which is not disqualified for tax exemption under section 501 of the United States Code.
A student may withdraw from a course and receive a W any time between the end of the add/drop period and the withdrawal deadline, which is the end of two-thirds of the semester or term. After this date, a student may request a withdrawal using a Course Withdrawal form, but requires the signature of the instructor.
Official withdrawal from the College means that a student voluntarily separates himself or herself from the College by dropping all courses at any time during the academic term.
Withdrawal Forms can be found on the college website or in the MySCCC portal. They are submitted to any Campus Registrar's Office.
If a student drops a course or courses prior to the end of the refund period, the student’s academic record will not reflect these courses. If a student officially withdraws from the College after the refund period but before the withdrawal date specified in the academic calendar, the student’s academic record will show all courses for which he or she registered along with a grade of W for each course. The official withdrawal will be noted on the student’s academic record. In addition, withdrawal from a course is considered a non-successful course attempt for purposes of financial aid satisfactory progress requirements. Excessive withdrawals may result in academic warning or academic dismissal.
Honor Designations/Societies
Outstanding scholastic achievement at Suffolk County Community College is recognized each semester by the compilation of the Dean’s List. Full-time matriculated students who have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours during the semester with no incompletes and a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher qualify for the Dean's List. This academic achievement is noted on the student's permanent record.
NOTE: Developmental courses do not qualify because they do not carry credit towards the GPA.
Students of the graduating class who have attained at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average are graduated "with distinction". Those students who have attained at least a 3.8 cumulative grade point average are graduated "with highest distinction". An academic achievement of "with distinction" or "with highest distinction" is noted on the student's permanent record. Furthermore, students who graduate having completed either the Honors Program Diploma Sequence or Recognition Sequence have this academic honor noted on their permanent record.
Pi Alpha Sigma is a college honors designation. Students who have achieved a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, with no incomplete grades, and have completed at least 36 credits at Suffolk County Community College receive this designation. This academic designation is also noted on the student's permanent record.
- Alpha Beta Gamma (Business)
- Alpha Sigma Lambda (Adult Learners)
- Chi Alpha Epsilon
- Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics)
- Phi Theta Kappa (International)
- Psi Beta (Psychology)
- SALUTE Veterans (Veterans)
- Sigma Chi Eta (Communications)
- Sigma Kappa Delta (English)
- Sociedad Honoraria De La Lengua Espanola (SHLE) (Spanish)
Academic Integrity
The SCCC Student Code of Conduct includes integrity as a core value and expects ethical decision-making by students in college and in their future professions. The Code prohibits academic misconduct, which includes any action that results in students giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise. Academic exercises include all forms of work submitted for credit. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
Cheating
Dishonesty in an academic exercise, including unauthorized use of textbooks, notes, mobile devices, or other sources.
Plagiarism
Using another’s words or ideas without crediting the source; or presenting another’s work as your own.
Complicity
Intentionally helping a student(s) to commit an act of academic misconduct.
Misrepresentation and Forgery
The forgery of information or documents, or the misrepresentation of a student identity to affect an academic exercise, grade, etc.
Most academic misconduct incidents are resolved directly between the faculty member and the student. When appropriate, academic misconduct may be addressed by the Campus Associate Dean of Student Affairs. The Student Code of Conduct provides detailed information and possible consequences for academic misconduct. If students believe they have been wrongly accused of academic misconduct, they may pursue the matter through the Course Grade Grievance Procedure after the final grade for the course has been recorded on the transcript.
Degree Requirements
All candidates for degrees from Suffolk County Community College must meet the following general requirements. They must:
- Attain a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.0.
- Attain a grade point average of not less than 2.0 in their major field of study.
- Complete the Suffolk County Community College Core Education Graduation Requirements.
- Satisfactorily complete any developmental courses (or course sequences) into which they were placed.
- Complete the course requirements with 60 credits or more in their curriculum as specified in the Curricula.
- Complete at least 30 resident credit hours of the required course work offered by Suffolk County Community College. Resident credits specifically exclude Advanced Placement, challenge examination, CLEP, portfolio, and all categories of transfer credit.
- Not use extra credits from courses already taken in lieu of any individual course requirement in any curriculum.
- Pay or satisfactorily adjust all college fees and meet all other obligations.
- As a matriculated student, file an Application for Graduation online. Application deadlines are December 1 for January graduation, April 1 for May graduation and May 1 for August graduation.
A graduate who wishes to obtain a second degree in a different curriculum must complete a minimum of 30 additional credits, including the special course requirements of the second curriculum.
Candidates for the certificate must complete all curriculum requirements, in which at least half of the coursework is resident credit hours offered by Suffolk County Community College, with a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.0, both cumulatively and in their major field of study. Resident credits specifically exclude advanced placement, challenge examination, CLEP, portfolio, and all categories of transfer credit.
NOTE: Wide opportunities are available for student advising both through the academic departments and through the Office of Student Services. However, each student is ultimately responsible for selecting courses which satisfy graduation requirements for specific degree and certificate programs.
Full-time day students in all programs must successfully complete COL101: College Seminar or equivalent. See Course Descriptions for a list of equivalent courses. Students are expected to enroll in this class in their first semester. Students who have taken a college seminar course are not required to enroll in an additional one, even if it is specific to their program. The College Seminar requirement may be waived for students who complete 12 credit hours of transferable college-level work on a college campus prior to enrolling at Suffolk County Community College. Students who complete at least half of their work as part-time students or full-time evening students may also waive the college seminar requirement.
On a limited basis, students may submit substitution/waiver forms to the appropriate academic chair for their review and approval. These are then sent for approval to the appropriate Campus Associate Dean. Requests for substitutions will be evaluated based on the equivalence of the proposed substitution to the curriculum requirement. The necessary forms for requesting a waiver or substitution of a course to meet degree requirements can be obtained from the campus academic departments and/or the Campus Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
