Grading System

Course Completion Credit

In competency-based education, course completion is accomplished when students have successfully demonstrated all required competencies. For most courses, the instructor will issue a course mastery (M) grade when all competencies have been completed or demonstrated. In some courses a letter grade may be given. When this occurs, the grading standard is published in the course syllabus. A letter grade may also be issued at students’ requests. Students should inform their instructors if they wish to receive a letter grade. Letter grades are not issued for transfer or challenge courses.

Transfer Credit

Students may receive transfer mastery credit (M) for a course by showing they have completed the same competencies at another accredited institution. Official transcripts from other institutions must be mailed; hand carried in a sealed envelope or sent as a PDF attachment from the former institution’s email to the Records Office.  (OWATC Policy 530.10 Transfer Credit)

Course Challenge

Students may also prove competency in a course through challenge or skill demonstration. Students must complete challenges in the first seven days they are enrolled in the course.  Each course may have a different path for challenging; ask individual instructors for specific guidelines. Students who successfully challenge the course will receive a course mastery (M) grade. Course practicums and on-the-job training cannot be challenged. If the course is not successfully challenged, the student must complete course requirements. (OWATC Policy 540.16 Course Challenge)

Classroom Grading Scale

If a letter grade is specifically requested, the following scale is used:

Transcript Code

Transcript GPA Scale