Academic Standards

Student Academic Load

On average, students must enroll in 30 credit hours per year to graduate from a 60-credit-hour program in 2 years. To ensure on-time completion of a 60-credit-hour degree in 2 years, students are encouraged to enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours in the Fall and Spring. Students who enroll in 12 credits for the Fall and Spring terms and 6 credits for the Summer will also be considered on track to complete a 60-credit-hour degree in 2 years.

Course Load

A standard full-time course load is 15 credit hours per semester; however, this may vary depending on the degree or certificate program. 12 credit hours is the minimum requirement for full-time enrollment. Enrollment in fewer than 12 credit hours is considered part-time.

Academic Time Status:

  • 12+ credits = full-time1
  • 9 – 11.99 credits = ¾ time
  • 6 – 8.99 credits = ½ time
  • .01 – 5.99 credits = less than ½ time
  • 0 credits = not enrolled
1

Certain programs may define full-time differently for purposes of their own eligibility only (e.g., a student may be considered full-time in the Summer for purposes of eligibility for athletics with 6+ credits, and a student may be considered full-time for purposes of eligibility for veterans benefits with 7+ credits in a Summer term); these program-specific definitions shall have no bearing on a student’s status as a Full-Time Student as defined in this procedure. For international students studying at a PPSC on a nonimmigrant visa, a full-time academic load in any term is 12+ credits. Eligibility for federal and state financial aid is determined by applicable law.


Enrollment Verifications are provided by the Records Office. 

Maximum Credit Hours per Term

The maximum student credit load per term is 18 credit hours for undergraduates, unless an override has been granted by PPSC. Students seeking to enroll in more than 18 credit hours may do so with approval as follows: up to 21 credit hours requires an override from an academic advisor in Advising & Testing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in college-level coursework; more than 21 and up to 24 credit hours requires Academic Executive Dean permission; and more than 24 credit hours requires approval from the Vice President for Instructional Services. 
Certain State Board–approved career and technical programs may require enrollment of up to 24 credit hours per semester, in which case students may enroll in all required courses.

Change of Major/Program

Students may declare or change their program of study (major) at any time during the term in which they are enrolled. However, no more than three (3) active majors are permitted at any given time.  

Before making a change, students are strongly encouraged to consult with an academic advisor in the Advising & Testing Office, as well as with the Financial Aid Office, to understand how a change in major/program may affect their educational plan and financial aid eligibility.  

Students utilizing military or veteran education benefits should also verify how a change in major may impact their funding eligibility.  

Please note: Changing a major will place the student under the curriculum and academic requirements of the new program as outlined in the current college catalog.  

The Change of Major form is available on our website. 

Credit by Examination

Students may take a comprehensive examination for credit if they are enrolled in a course and have the approval of their faculty/instructor and dean. Students must complete the examination by the drop date for the course and will receive the grade earned on the examination as a final grade for the course. Students may attempt an examination for credit only once per course.

Domestic Transcripts for Transfer to PPSC

Domestic transcripts refer to academic records from institutions located within the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

Credits earned at regionally accredited colleges or universities, including Pikes Peak State College (PPSC), or from other approved educational institutions, may be applied toward fulfilling PPSC program requirements. Certain programs may have restrictions regarding the age of courses, particularly in technical or science-related areas. Students should consult their specific program for applicable time limits.

  • Courses with a grade of C- or higher may be accepted in transfer when they are applicable to PPSC programs and meet institutional requirements. Transfer credit will be awarded only upon receipt of an official transcript from the originating institution.
  • Transcript evaluation will occur within 30 days after the student has been admitted and PPSC has received the official transcript. Evaluations are conducted on a rolling basis as transcripts are received.
  • Students who change their major and wish to request a new transcript evaluation must submit the Request for Transcript Re-Evaluation Form.

Students seeking to replace a substandard grade earned at PPSC with transfer credit must meet with an academic advisor to initiate the request. If approved, the grade points associated with the original PPSC course will be excluded from the cumulative GPA. However, the original grade will remain on the official transcript.

Please note: Other institutions receiving a PPSC transcript are not required to honor PPSC’s grade exclusion policy and may include all grades when calculating transfer GPA.

International Transcript Evaluation for Credit Transfer to PPSC

Students who have attended international institutions and wish to have their credits evaluated for transfer must first obtain a course-by-course credit evaluation from a recognized member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). An official copy of this evaluation report must be sent directly to Pikes Peak State College (PPSC).

If students plan to pursue a program at PPSC that is similar to the one they studied at their previous international institution, some credits may be eligible for transfer. However, not all credits are guaranteed to transfer. Credit transferability is determined based on the following criteria:

  • Course equivalency: The courses completed at the international institution must be comparable to those offered at PPSC.
  • Course age limits: Some programs may have time restrictions on how old certain courses can be, particularly for technical or science-related coursework. Students should consult their specific program for any such guidelines.
  • Minimum grade requirement: PPSC only accepts courses with a grade of C or better for transfer credit.
  • Course descriptions: Students may be required to provide English-translated course descriptions for any courses they wish to have evaluated for transfer.

Steps to Transfer College Credits to PPSC

  1. Apply for admission to Pikes Peak State College (PPSC).
  2. Declare a degree or certificate program.
  3. Submit an official course-by-course evaluation report from a NACES-approved agency to the PPSC Records Office.

There are three options for submitting your official evaluation report:
Option 1: In Person

  • Deliver the official evaluation report to the Records Office at the Centennial Campus.
  • The report must be in a sealed envelope from the evaluationagency.(Do not open the envelope.)

Option 2: Electronically

  • PPSC accepts electronic transcript evaluations via secure portals from the following NACES-approved services:
    • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
    •  World Education Services (WES)
    • The Evaluation Company (TEC)

Option 3: By Mail

  • Request the evaluation agency to mail the official report directly to:

Pikes Peak State College
Attn: Records Office, Box C-8
5675 S. Academy Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Once received, the Records Office will review your evaluation to determine whether any credits can be transferred toward your declared program at PPSC.

A complete list of approved NACES members can be found on the NACES website.

Below are recommended evaluation services for a course-by-course evaluation of your international educational record: 

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
Website: www.ece.org
Email: eval@ece.org

World Education Services (WES)
Phone: 1-800-361-3106
Website: www.wes.org

The Evaluation Company (TEC)
Phone: 1-646-475-2570
Website: www.evalcompany.com 

Josef Silny & Associates
Phone: (305) 273-1616
Website: www.jsilny.com

Transcript Requests

Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) partners with Parchment to manage the ordering, processing, and secure delivery of official transcripts. 

Ordering Official Transcripts

  • Current and Former Students: Official transcripts may be ordered directly through the Parchment website. If you do not already have a Parchment account, you will be prompted to create one during the ordering process. 
  • Current Students: You may also order transcripts by logging into your myPikesPeak Portal, if you are an active student (defined as having taken a course within the last three semesters)
    • Locate the Student Grades & Records card. 
    • Follow the link to order your official transcript through Parchment.

Transcript costs vary based on delivery method and destination. Exact pricing is shown before you enter your payment information. 

Full instructions and current fees can be found on our Transcripts webpage. 

Ordering Unofficial Transcripts

  • Current Students: Unofficial transcripts are available through your myPikesPeak Portal: 
    • Locate the Student Grades & Records card on the homepage.
    • Click "View/Print Unofficial Transcripts." 
  • Former Students: Unofficial transcripts are accessible for up to one year after leaving PPSC. After that time, only official transcripts may be ordered through Parchment.

Grading System

This procedure applies to the Colorado Community College System, including its Colleges (CCCS or System).

Currently Approved Grades

This procedure applies to the Colorado Community College System, including its Colleges (CCCS or System).

Standard Grades

Grade Quality Points Interpretation
A 4 Excellent or Superior
B 3 Good (Above Average Achievement)
C 2 Average
D 1 Deficient
F 0 Failure Incomplete
I N/A Incomplete (Rolls to an F if not completed within required time period)

Note: To be eligible for an incomplete, a student is required to have completed over 75% of the coursework with a “C” or better and must finish the coursework by the end of the next term, excluding summer. PPSC may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. 

Pass/Fail Grades

Code Interpretation
P Pass
F Fail

A “P” grade will indicate that the quality of students’ work in the course is equivalent to “C or better.” “P” will count in attempted and earned credits but will not carry any quality points. Therefore, “P” grades will not be included in GPA calculations, however “F” grades will.

Note: A request for the P/F option must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. The P/F option may not be appropriate for certain courses.   

Developmental Grades

Code Interpretation
P/A Passing (A-level) work in a developmental course
P/B Passing (B-level) work in a developmental course
P/C Passing (C-level) work in a developmental course
F/D Not-passing (D-level) work in a developmental course
F/F Not-passing (F-level) work in a developmental course
I/F Incomplete for developmental courses (Rolls to F/F if not completed within required time period)

Developmental Grades will not be included in a student’s GPA or count towards attempted credits. GPAs for term recognition such as President’s List, Vice President’s List and Dean’s List will not include developmental course grades in the calculation.

Note: To be eligible for an incomplete, a student is required to have completed over 75% of the coursework with a ‘P/C’ or better and must finish the coursework by the end of the next term, excluding summer. PPSC may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Withdrawal Grades

The “Withdrawal” grade is assigned when a student officially withdraws or is withdrawn for administrative reasons from a course. A withdrawal can only be processed during the first 80 percent of the course. No academic credit is awarded. The course will count in attempted hours.

Code Interpretation
W Student withdrew prior to withdrawal deadline
WX Administrative withdrawal by appeal or institutional error
WD Administrative withdrawal

Transfer Grades

Code Interpretation
A* Transfer equivalent to an “A” standard grade
B* Transfer equivalent to an “B” standard grade
C* Transfer equivalent to an “C” standard grade
D* Transfer equivalent to an “D” standard grade
F* Transfer equivalent to an “F” standard grade
S* Transfer equivalent to an “S” standard grade
P* Transfer equivalent to an “P” standard grade

Note: “C” or better grades will be accepted in transfer. PPSC may choose to transfer “D” grades on a case-by-case basis. PPSC will determine by program whether a “D” grade may be used to meet degree or certificate requirements. Even if PPSC accepts a D grade in transfer, it may nullify certain transfer agreements and does not guarantee that it will be accepted at other institutions of higher education. Satisfactory grades, “S”, may be considered “P” grades for transfer purposes.

Other Grade Codes

Code Interpretation
* Transfer Grade
AU Audit (Not counted in GPA, Attempted, or Earned)
AW Administrative Withdrawal (Prior to Summer 2021)
CNV No Grade (Used for High School Level classes only)
CPL Credit awarded through Credit for Prior Learning (Prior to Fall 2015)
CR Credit
IP In Progress
NC No Credit
PLA Prior Learning Assessment
S Satisfactory (Prior to Summer 2021)
S/A Satisfactory (A-level) work in a developmental course (Prior to Summer 2021)
S/B Satisfactory (B-level) work in a developmental course (Prior to Summer 2021)
S/C Satisfactory (C-level) work in a developmental course (Prior to Summer 2021)
SP Satisfactory Progress
U Unsatisfactory (Prior to Summer 2021)
U/D Unsatisfactory (D-level) work in a developmental course (Prior to Summer 2021)
U/F Unsatisfactory (F-level) work in a developmental course (Prior to Summer 2021)
Z Placeholder/Missing Grades

Grading Options

AU - Audit

Auditing a course allows students to attend and participate in class activities without receiving a grade or academic credit. 

Audit Options:

  1. Regular Audit - Students auditing under this option pay the full in-state or out-of-state tuition and applicable fees. 
  2. Veteran Audit - Veterans may audit one class per semester at no cost, as long as funding and class space are available. 
    • Veterans must submit a request through the audit website. 
    • Requests are reviewed by the Admissions Office.
    • Approved veterans will be registered 1–2 days before the semester begins if space and funding are available. 

How to Request an Audit: Students must submit an audit request through the audit website by the deadline listed in the course schedule. 

Eligibility: Students must meet all course prerequisites. Some courses are not available for audit; see the audit website for a full list of excluded courses. 

Costs and Restrictions: 

  • Audited courses are not eligible for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend. 
  • Audited courses do not count toward financial aid, Department of Defense, or VA education benefits. 
  • Audited courses cannot be applied toward degrees or certificates. 
  • The audit option applies only to PPSC courses and does not include Colorado Consortium classes.

Registration Changes: After the posted drop date, students cannot change their registration status from credit to audit or from audit to credit unless approved in writing by the appropriate Division Executive Dean and the Vice President for Instructional Services. 

CPL - Credit for Prior Learning 

Before Fall 2015, the symbol "CPL" indicated that the associated course and credits were granted in accordance with CCCS Board Policy 9-42, Credit for Prior Learning. For information effective from Fall 2015 onward, refer to Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). 

I - Incomplete

An Incomplete grade is a temporary grade used when a student, due to documented illness or other circumstances beyond their control, is unable to complete course requirements by the end of the semester. To qualify, the student must have completed at least 75% of all course assignments and exams with a grade of C or better. 

Requesting an Incomplete: 

  • The student is responsible for initiating the request for an Incomplete grade directly with the faculty/instructor before the end of the term. Students are encouraged to communicate early with their faculty/instructors if they experience difficulties completing coursework. 
  • The faculty/instructor will determine whether the student has a reasonable chance of successfully completing the remaining coursework within the agreed timeframe. The faculty/instructor has the final say on whether to grant an incomplete grade. If a resolution cannot be reached with the instructor, the student should contact the Division Associate Dean for assistance. 
  • The student must provide documentation supporting the reason for the request. 
  • If approved, the faculty/instructor will complete an Incomplete Grade Contract outlining the work to be finished and the completion deadline. The contract must be submitted to the Registrar/Records Office with final grades for the semester. 
  • The faculty/instructor must record the Incomplete grade on the official grade roster in a timely manner.
Military and Emergency Service Exceptions

Military personnel and emergency management officials called to temporary duty (TDY) or other required service during the semester should contact their instructor for special consideration. 

  • Official documentation of the assignment is required. 
  • The request must be approved by the Vice President for Instructional Services. 
  • If an Incomplete is not possible due to TDY length or timing, students should meet with Military and Veterans Programs to discuss other options. 

Department of Defense Incomplete Grade Timeframes: 

  • Army: 180 days 
  • Navy: 180 days
  • Air/Space Force: 12 months or school policy, whichever is sooner 
  • Marines: 6 months 
  • Coast Guard: 6 months 
Conversion of Incomplete Grades

If an Incomplete grade is not converted to a final letter grade by the instructor within one subsequent semester (excluding summer), it will automatically convert to an F. If the student’s performance at the time of the Incomplete would have earned a higher letter grade, faculty are encouraged to submit that earned grade before the automatic conversion occurs. 

PLA - Prior Learning Assessment

Effective Fall 2015, the symbol "PLA" indicates that the associated course and credits were granted in accordance with CCCS Board Policy 9-42, Prior Learning Assessment. For information prior to Fall 2015, refer to Credit for Prior Learning (CPL).

S/U and P/F - Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and Pass/Fail

Students may choose to take up to six (6) credit hours per semester on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory or Pass/Fail grading basis. A maximum of 15 total credit hours may be taken under this option while enrolled at Pikes Peak State College.

Note: Courses that are only offered on an S/U, P/F basis count toward this 15-hour maximum. 

Approval and Registration:

  • Students must obtain prior approval from the appropriate Division Dean for each course, unless the course is only offered with the S/U or P/F grading option. 
  • The S/U or P/F grading option must be selected at the time of registration. 
  • After the drop/add period, this grading option cannot be changed, except with a written recommendation from the Division Dean and approval from the Vice President for Instructional Services. 

Grading Standards: 

  • A grade of C or higher is considered Satisfactory/Pass (S/P). 
    • This grade does not affect the Grade Point Average (GPA) but increases the total number of credit hours passed.
  • Grades of D or F are considered Unsatisfactory/Fail (U/F).
    • These grades affect the GPA and increase the total number of credit hours attempted.
Last Date of Attendance

Faculty are required to provide the last date of attendance for each student who is awarded an F or U/F grade.

Administrative Withdrawal

An Administrative Withdrawal at PPSC may happen when the College must remove a student from a class due to a violation of college rules or disciplinary reasons (such as cheating or behavior issues), because of an approved appeal or a college error, or when a student has unexpected circumstances beyond their control and could not withdraw before the deadline. This option may also be used if the student does not qualify for a Tuition Appeal. The College reviews each situation on a case-by-case basis when special action is needed.

Non-Participation Procedure 

To enhance students’ success at Pikes Peak State College (PPSC), students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. PPSC monitors participation and may drop a student from a class for non-participation when the student does not actively participate or attend the class in person, from the start date of the class to the drop date.

For online courses, and/or hybrid courses where the online components start first, student participation or attendance is defined as accessing the course and completing at least one academic activity related to the course content/curriculum by 11:59 pm on the day before the drop date.

Faculty/instructors then have from 12:00 am until 9:00 pm on the drop date to report non-participation.

Faculty/instructors are encouraged to clarify in the course syllabus which activities qualify as academic activities. Participation in any academic activity completed before the drop date counts towards academic engagement. Examples of academic activities include:

  • Attending a live synchronous class, lecture, recitation, or field or laboratory activity, in-person, or online, where there is an opportunity for interaction between the faculty/instructor and students.
  • Submitting an academic assignment.
  • Taking an assessment or an exam.
  • Participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction; or
  • Participating in an instructor-directed study group within the course, group project, or actively contributing to online discussions by providing substantive responses that advance the conversation through new insights, relevant examples, or thoughtful questions.

Examples of non-academic activities include: 

  • Completing a quiz about syllabus content;
  • Welcome/Introduction discussion unrelated to course concepts;
  • Preliminary conversation with faculty/instructor about what the course will cover;
  • Emailing the faculty/instructor with a question about course-related content;
  • Logging into an online class or tutorial without any further participation; or
  • Participating in academic counseling or advising.

Students who are dropped for non-participation in error have 5 business days from the date they were dropped to request re-enrollment. Re-admittance requires prior instructor approval, a clear explanation of the circumstances, and in some cases, the permission of an Executive Dean.

Students who decide they no longer want to be enrolled in class(es), must drop class(es) by the drop date listed on the Academic Calendar. If students do not drop class(es) by the deadline, they will be financially responsible for class tuition and fees. Dropping a course or being removed for non-participation can have financial consequences for students using financial aid and/or military benefits.

Exceptions

The attendance policy for specific programs (such as the health sciences) may differ because of clinical requirements or rules set by approving agencies or some in-person courses with limited seating.  If a course has an exception, this will be noted in the syllabus, and the non-participation date will be clearly stated.  Best efforts will be made to provide syllabi three days prior to the start date of the course.   

Grade Changes

Grade changes are only granted for valid reasons, such as errors in calculation, posting, or recording, or to replace an Incomplete grade. Additional work after the term ends is not an acceptable reason for a grade change.

General Procedures for a Grade Change

  • Students have one full year from the time in which the grade was issued to submit a written request for a grade reevaluation to their instructor.
  • Students should first discuss the grade with the instructor. If the instructor agrees, they will submit the grade change for approval. If not, students may appeal to the department chair, division dean, or Vice President for Instructional Services (or designee) for a final decision.
  • An Incomplete grade must be resolved by completing the remaining coursework by the date on the Incomplete Course Agreement form, or no later than the end of the next full 15-week semester, after which the instructor submits the final grade for approval. Coursework not completed on time will result in a Failing (F) grade, and students cannot re-enroll in a class while an Incomplete course is pending.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculation 

Grade points measure the level of achievement for the credit hours completed. To calculate the GPA, multiply the number of grade points by the number of credit hours received for each course. Total the number of credits and the number of grade points separately. Divide the total grade points by the total credits. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grades are not factored in the student’s GPA. Incompletes (I) or Withdrawals (W) do not receive grade points and do not have an effect on the GPA. 

A = 4 grade points 
B = 3 grade points 
C = 2 grade points 
D = 1 grade point 
F = 0 grade points 

Example Calculation

Course Credits Grade Grade Points GPA
ACC 1021 - Accounting Principles I 4 credits B (3 grade points) 12 3.0
HUM 1021 - Early Civilization 3 credits C (2 grade points) 6 2.0
FIN 2040 - Law & Banking Principles 2 credits A (4 grade points) 8 4.0
ENG 1021 - English Composition I 3 credits A (4 grade points) 8 4.0
TOTAL 12 credits (Credits x Grade Point Total) / Total Credits = GPA 38 3.16

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisites are requirements students must meet before enrolling in a course or program. A prerequisite may be a completed course, a demonstrated skill, or a test score. Some placement test results may also be used to meet prerequisite requirements. Prerequisites ensure students have the background knowledge needed to succeed in higher-level coursework. PPSC follows Colorado Community College System (CCCS) Procedure SP 9-71, which outlines policies for prerequisites and corequisites. 

Finding Prerequisites 

Prerequisites and corequisites are listed in each course description in the college catalog and are enforced during registration. Students who attempt to register for a course without meeting the prerequisite will receive a registration error. 
Students who need help understanding prerequisites or determining if they meet them are encouraged to meet with an advisor. Advisors can review academic history, confirm placement, and help students plan their course sequence.

Types of Prerequisites 

  • Course-Based Prerequisites: Require successful completion of a specific course before moving to the next level. Example: BIO 1111 must be completed before enrolling in BIO 2101. 
  • College Readiness Prerequisites: May be met through SAT or ACT scores, placement exams (Accuplacer), AP, IB, CLEP, or DSST scores, previous college credit with a grade of C– or better, or certain high school courses and GPA completed in the last five years. 
  • Program-Specific Requirements Some programs, such as Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Sign Language Interpreter Preparation, require additional prerequisites and have expiration dates on some courses. Students should refer to specific program descriptions and department websites for detailed requirements. 

Meeting Prerequisite Requirements

Students may meet prerequisite requirements in the following ways: 

  • Completion of Required Coursework: The prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of C or better. 
  • Submission of Official Transcripts: Transfer students should send their official domestic or international transcripts to the Records Office for evaluation. For more information about transferring to PPSC, see the Academic Standards section of the catalog. For information about active-duty military and veteran transcripts, see the Military, Veterans, and Family Members section of the catalog. 
  • Submission of Unofficial Transcripts: If you are not requesting transfer credit, or are a Visiting Summer Student (VSS), and are submitting unofficial transcripts to verify a completed prerequisite, you may send them to the Advising and Testing Office for review and assistance. For more information on VSS or Guest Student, please refer to the Getting Started section of the catalog. If you are requesting a prerequisite waiver or to show proof of current prerequisite course enrollment, in certain cases, faculty may authorize registration using the electronic Registration Add/Drop Form. 
  • Submission of Test Scores: SAT, ACT, or placement exam scores from the last five years, may be submitted to the Testing Center for evaluation. 
  • Taking a Placement Exam: Students may complete a placement exam such as the Accuplacer. 
  • Submission of Official College Credit Exam Scores: AP, IB, CLEP, or DSST scores from the last fifteen years, may be submitted to the Records Office for evaluation. 

Additional Options 

  • In-Progress Coursework at PPSC: Students currently enrolled in a prerequisite at PPSC may register for the next course for the following term. 
  • In-Progress Coursework at Another Institution or Prerequisite Override: Students may give the Advising Office an unofficial transcript that shows their final grade, or they may submit an official transcript to Records. We cannot accept transcripts with courses still in progress. In certain cases, faculty may authorize registration when a prerequisite course is in progress at another institution or a prerequisite override using the electronic Registration Add/Drop Form. 
  • Prior Learning Assessment (PLA): Students may earn credit for previous learning through training, work experience, or testing. PLA credit is awarded after a faculty review of submitted materials. Please see Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) section in the catalog, for more information. 
  • Course Substitutions: Requests to substitute a prerequisite or corequisite must be approved by the department chair using the electronic Registration Add/Drop Form. 

Corequisite Courses

A corequisite is a course that must be taken during the same semester as another course. Corequisites provide support or additional instruction needed for success in both courses. Corequisites are commonly used in paired instruction models, such as a college-level English or math course paired with a support course, and in programs that require courses to be taken together. 

Examples of Corequisites:

  • Enrollment in a college-level English course and a related support course during the same term. 
  • Nurse Aide and EMT courses that require another course to be taken in the same semester. 

Identification of Corequisites 

Corequisites are shown in the college’s online registration system (Navigate) with the label ‘requisite.’ If a course has a corequisite, students will be asked to add the required course when they register. For paired college-level and support courses, students who placed into college-level classes should choose a section that does not have the ‘requisite’ label. 

Corequisite Enrollment Policy 

  • Concurrent Enrollment: Students must enroll in both the main course and the corequisite in the same academic term. 
  • Linked Instruction: Corequisite courses are designed to support the primary course.
  • Mandatory Registration: Enrollment in one course requires enrollment in the other. Dropping or withdrawing from one course may result in dropping or withdrawing from both courses.

Repeated Courses

  • All college-level courses may be repeated. Each course registration and grade received will be listed on the transcript. The highest grade will be used in GPA calculation. There will be no limitations on course grades that are eligible for repeat. All credit hours earned for initial and repeated courses will be deducted from a student’s remaining COF stipend-eligible hours.
  • If the same grade is earned two or more times for a repeated course, the most recent instance of the duplicate grade will be included in the term and cumulative GPA.
  • Repeated courses may be applied only once to a certificate or degree, except for variable credit courses and designated courses that may be repeated for professional or personal development. State Faculty Curriculum Committee will designate courses that may be repeated based on program requirements.
  • PPSC has the discretion to deny repeat enrollment in a course beginning with the second repeat on a case-by-case basis for reasons which may include, but are not limited to, financial and educational best interests of the student and course availability.

Repeated Courses on Transcripts

The Repeat designation on a transcript will be marked as I (Include) or E (Exclude). Courses marked Include are counted in both credit hours and GPA calculations. Courses marked Exclude are omitted from earned credit hours and GPA calculations.

Note: Courses with a grade of D or F are generally not transferable and will not transfer to other institutions under GT Pathways or the 60+60 Bachelor’s Degree Transfer Program.

Academic Renewal 

To help PPSC students achieve success, returning students may request a one-time academic renewal from PPSC where up to 30 credit hours of poor academic performance may be excluded from their GPA calculation. The following procedures apply to applications for academic renewal:

  • Students must wait a minimum of two academic years from the last term being considered for academic renewal.
  • Students must be enrolled and have completed at least 6 hours with a 2.00 term GPA to be awarded academic renewal. For a Reverse Transfer Degree only, the student may fulfill this requirement by demonstrating enrollment in at least 6 credit hours with a 2.00 term GPA during the last semester of attendance at the four-year institution.
  • A maximum of 30 credit hours can be excluded from the GPA.
  • Grades approved for academic renewal remain on the transcript but are excluded from the GPA calculations.
  • Academic renewal applies to D and F grades only.
  • Students can only apply for academic renewal once, and if awarded, it is not reversible.

Notwithstanding the above procedures, PPSC may automatically grant academic renewal for students through the statewide Colorado Reverse Transfer Program if the student’s four-year institution data shows they have been successfully progressing, and granting academic renewal will result in the awarding of an associate’s degree.

Note: Federal and state financial aid eligibility rules require all attempted credits be included when determining the length of time to completion. Therefore, coursework excluded as part of the Academic Renewal is included when calculating financial aid eligibility.

Academic Progress

This procedure applies to the Colorado Community College System, including its Colleges (CCCS or System). This procedure concerns the admission and enrollment of students at CCCS and establishes a procedure for student load, time status, late registration, and academic renewal.

Academic Standing

Academic Standing describes a student’s successful progression with respect to maintaining progress toward their degree or certificate program. Academic Standing applies to all students who have completed 9 or more credits at CCCS College. Academic Standing shall be applied consistently and uniformly within each College.  Colleges will determine Academic Standing following the posting of the majority of term grades for each semester, and academic standing may be recalculated based on late or adjusted grades. For students who have completed fewer than 9 credit hours, the College will monitor satisfactory academic progress through an Academic Alert process. These students are not subject to Academic Standing.

Academic Standing values include the following:

  • “Initial Standing” – Student has completed fewer than 9 cumulative credit hours with a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.00 for all classes completed.
  • “Academic Alert” – Student has completed fewer than 9 cumulative credits with a cumulative GPA less than 2.00 for all classes completed.
  • “Good Standing” – Student has completed at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.00 for all classes completed.
  • “Performance Support” – Student has completed at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a cumulative GPA less than 2.00 for all classes completed. This value was previously referred to as “Academic Probation.”
    • By the conclusion of the Performance Support term, the student must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.00. If this condition is met, the student returns to Good Standing. Otherwise, the student will be Performance Improving or on Academic Suspension as outlined below.
  • “Returning Support” – Student is returning from Academic Suspension.
    • By the conclusion of the Returning Support term, the student must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.00. If this condition is met, the student returns to Good Standing. Otherwise, the student will be Performance Improving or on Academic Suspension as outlined below.
  • “Performance Improving” – If a student on Performance Support or Returning Support earns a term GPA of at least 2.00 for all classes completed during the term but fails to raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.00 for all classes completed, the student will be allowed to attend the next term as Performance Improving. This value was previously referred to as “Probation Continuing.”
    • As long as the student continues earning a term GPA of at least 2.00 during each term, they will be permitted to continue attending. The student will remain on Performance Improving until the cumulative GPA is at least 2.00, at which time they will return to Good Standing.
    • If the student does not earn a term GPA of at least 2.00 while on Performance Improving, they will be placed on Academic Suspension.
  • “Academic Suspension” – If a student on Performance Support, Returning Support or Performance Improving earns a term GPA of less than 2.00 for all classes completed during the term, the student will be suspended and will not be allowed to enroll at the College issuing the suspension for the next term unless an appeal is approved. The student may be dropped from all registered courses for an upcoming term at the College based on the College’s procedures.

Academic Suspension

All academic suspensions are for one term only. If a student who has served a suspension wishes to return, the student will be allowed to re-enroll only after meeting with an academic advisor. The student will be placed on Returning Support for their return semester. Students suspended from one College are not suspended from other Colleges within the System.

Appeals Process

Students placed on Academic Suspension will be notified of their status and given the opportunity to appeal. Students must appeal their suspension based on procedures developed by the College issuing the suspension in order to continue enrolling at that College. Each College’s appeal process should incorporate an element where the student demonstrates what has changed and why they will perform better in the future. Appeal consideration will be based on statements and documentation as submitted by the student. College processes for approving or denying appeals must be based upon objective factors.

If the College approves an appeal, appeals for subsequent Academic Suspensions should address why the student was unsuccessful on the prior appeal, and what additional measures have been taken to ensure success.

If the student’s suspension appeal is approved, the student will be placed on Performance Support.

If the student’s suspension appeal is not approved, the student may be dropped from all courses registered for in upcoming terms at the College, based on the College’s procedures.

PPSC Appeals Process

At the conclusion of each semester, students will receive their grades and be notified by the Registrar regarding their Academic Standing via email to their college-assigned student email.

Students placed on Academic Suspension will be dropped from their classes.

For students on Academic Suspension, there is an appeal process that is outlined in the notification they receive from the Registrar regarding their academic standing.

Students wishing to file an appeal for an exception to the academic suspension policy need to:

  1. Students will be required to complete an Academic Suspension Appeal Form
  2. Students will be required to submit a letter of appeal
  3. Students will be required to submit a copy of their most recent unofficial transcript
  4. Students can submit any other relevant documentation; examples can be found on the Appeals page www.pikespeak.edu/appeal

The completed appeal form and supporting documents will be reviewed by the Academic Suspension Appeals Committee, which includes a representative from each Instructional Division as well as Student Services. Students will be notified via their student email of the Committee’s decision regarding their request for an exception to the academic suspension policy and any conditions that apply to their reinstatement. The Academic Suspension Appeals Committee may uphold the suspension; may grant the appeal without conditions; or may grant the appeal with conditions such as limiting the number of credit hours a student may register for, or requiring a study skills class, etc. The Academic Suspension Appeals Committee’s decisions are final and may not be appealed further. There is no guarantee that a student who is granted an appeal will be allowed to re-enroll in the classes from which the student was previously dropped for being on academic suspension.

The last day to file an Academic Suspension Appeal is always the Friday just prior to the last week of registration before each semester.

Academic Concerns

Any student who wishes to pursue an academic concern or change of grade must exhaust the following options in sequence prior to petitioning the Vice President for Instructional Services. (Examples of instructional or course concerns deal with instructor behavior, class policies, and unfair expectations or demands.)

  1. The student must meet with the faculty/instructor and attempt to resolve the problem. If no resolution:
  2. The student must state the concern in writing (via the academic concern form) and meet with the Department Chair (in the case of an adjunct instructor) or Executive Dean / Associate Dean (in the case of a faculty member). Departments may require specific documentation. Please contact the appropriate division. If no resolution:
  3. The student will meet with the Executive Dean.

If the student contests the Executive Dean's decision, they can contact the Vice President for Instructional Services. The student should provide documentation of everything that the student wants considered in the decision. The Executive Dean will also submit all written documentation and recommendations. The Vice President for Instructional Services or a designee will notify the student of the decision in writing. This decision will be final.

Credits in Residence 

A student must complete at least 25% of their credits at the College that will award their degree or certificate. A College may consider an appeal from a student who is transferring from another CCCS College and has not met the 25% requirement. To approve the appeal, the College must be able to clearly explain and support its decision. 

Two or more CCCS Colleges may also create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows students to finish a degree or certificate without completing 25% of their credits at one College. The MOU must be signed by all participating Colleges, shared with the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, and sent to the Higher Learning Commission.

Term Academic Honors

Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) recognizes exceptional academic achievement each term through its Term Academic Honors program. Students who meet the eligibility requirements will receive an official notation for that term on their academic transcript. 

To qualify for Term Academic Honors, students must meet the following Term Grade Point Average (GPA) criteria: 

  • Dean’s List: 3.50 – 3.749 
  • Vice President’s List: 3.75 – 3.99 
  • President’s List: 4.00 

Grades of “P” (Pass) and grades earned in Developmental Education coursework are excluded from the GPA calculation. Students must complete a minimum of six (6) eligible credit hours during the term to be considered for Term Academic Honors.

Graduation Honors

Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) recognizes outstanding academic achievement at the time of graduation through its Graduation Honors program. Students who meet the eligibility requirements will receive an official notation on their academic transcript. 

To qualify for Graduation Honors, students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher in college-level coursework completed at PPSC. Only courses completed at PPSC are included in the GPA calculation. In addition, students must complete a minimum of 15 college-level credits at PPSC to be eligible. 

The levels of Graduation Honors are as follows: 

  • Cum Laude (with honor): 3.50 – 3.749 
  • Magna Cum Laude (with great honor): 3.75 – 3.99
  • Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor): 4.00

Application for Degree or Certificate

Before applying for graduation, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their program faculty advisor or an academic advisor in the Advising Office to confirm that they are on track to complete their program requirements. Once students have verified that they are ready to graduate, they must submit an official Application for Graduation by the published deadlines. The application and deadline information can be found on our Graduation webpage.  

To qualify for graduation from Pikes Peak State College, students must: 

  1. Complete all degree or certificate requirements as outlined in their academic program in the college catalog. 
  2. Earn at least 15 credits in their declared academic program while enrolled at PPSC. 
  3. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.

An application for graduation is required to receive a degree or certificate, even if the student does not plan to participate in the commencement ceremony. 

The best time to apply is immediately after registering for the final semester, and no later than the posted deadline: 

  • Spring: March 15 
  • Summer: July 15 
  • Fall: November 15

Degree and Certificate Evaluation and Award

After submitting graduation application, the Records Office will review the student’s academic history to verify completion of all program requirements. Results of the degree or certificate audit will be sent to the student’s college-assigned email address. The audit process may take 1 to 4 months, depending on the term and time of year, and applications are processed in the order received. 

Until all evaluations and supporting documentation are finalized, the Records Office reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the degree audit to reflect the most accurate and official record of the students progress toward graduation.

Degrees and certificates are awarded during the semester in which all requirements are completed. 

Graduation Process and Commencement Participation

Submitting a graduation application is the first step in the process of earning a degree or certificate. The application notifies the Records Office that a student believes all program requirements will be completed by the end of a specific term. Earning a degree or certificate occurs when all academic and institutional requirements have been officially verified and the credential is posted to the student’s transcript. This is the formal conferral of the credential and represents the student’s official completion of the program. 

The graduation, or commencement, ceremony is a separate, celebratory event that recognizes students who have completed or are nearing completion of their programs. Participation in the ceremony does not constitute the official conferral of a degree or certificate, nor does it guarantee that all requirements have been met. For more information on the commencement ceremony, visit  the Commencement Ceremony webpage or contact our commencement team at Commencement@PikesPeak.edu 

Diploma Processing and Distribution

Diplomas are not issued at the commencement ceremony. Once a degree or certificate has been posted to a student’s transcript (typically 4 to 6 weeks after the end of the semester), the diploma or certificate will be mailed approximately 8 weeks later to the address listed on the graduation application. In addition to the printed diploma or certificate, a digital copy will be sent to the student’s personal or college-assigned email address. 

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the mailing address provided remains valid. If an address changes after applying, students should update their information through the student portal and notify the Records Office at records@pikespeak.edu or by replying to the audit notification email. 

Incomplete Degree or Certificate Requirements 

If the degree or certificate requirements are not met, the application will remain on file for one additional semester. After one semester has passed and degree or certificate requirements remain unmet, the student must reapply for graduation. 

Auto-Conferral 

Midway through each semester, summer, fall, and spring, the Records Office reviews the academic records of students who have attended PPSC within the previous three semesters. Students who meet the eligibility requirements for a degree or certificate, based on courses completed at PPSC, will be automatically awarded their credentials. All awards will be officially posted at the end of the semester.

Graduation Ceremony

Each May, PPSC hosts a commencement ceremony to honor graduating students. To participate, anticipated graduates must have a graduation application on file for the equivalent academic year and complete a commencement ceremony registration form. Once registered for the ceremony, anticipated graduates will receive a series of emails to their preferred email address containing information about the commencement ceremony from the Commencement Office. Caps, gowns, tassels and instructions on the ceremony are all available through the Commencement Office. If you are eligible, join us for this festive celebration of your success! The 2026 ceremony will include eligible participants who graduated with a degree or certificate after the Summer 2025 or Fall 2025, and anticipated graduates in Spring 2026. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that a degree or certificate has been awarded. Degrees and certificates are conferred by the Records Office, and all degree requirements must be met before a degree or certificate is awarded.

Assessment of Learning Improvement 

Pikes Peak State College is committed to a learning improvement approach to assessment for the purpose of understanding, confirming, and improving student learning and educational quality. 

Assessment is an ongoing process of establishing measurable learning outcomes, providing students with sufficient opportunities to achieve those outcomes, systematically gathering evidence of student learning, and using the resulting findings to confirm and improve student learning. PPSC’s assessment framework reflects the vision of the College as stated in the 2023–2028 Strategic Plan and aligns with both regional and programmatic accreditation standards. 

With support from divisional leadership, the primary goal is to use evidence gathered through the assessment process to improve teaching, learning, and the overall quality of academic departments, thereby enabling the College to better meet the needs of students and the community it serves. Academic departments regularly assess and document what students know or are able to do upon completion of individual courses and programs.  

Assessment of student learning focuses on a set of essential skills, also known as general education learning outcomes. In Fall 2016, PPSC adopted the statewide GT Pathways competencies as its general education learning outcomes: 

  • Civic Engagement - Actions wherein students participate in activities of personal and public concern that are both meaningful to the student and socially beneficial to the community.
  • Creative Thinking - Capacity to combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways and the experience of thinking, reacting, and working in an imaginative way characterized by a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk-taking.
  • Critical Thinking - Ability to analyze information and ideas from multiple perspectives and articulate an argument or an opinion or a conclusion based on their analysis.
  • Diversity & Global Learning - Ability to critically analyze and engage complex, interdependent structures and constructs and their implications for individuals, groups, communities, or cultures.
  • Information/Literacy - Skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information.
  • Inquiry & Analysis - Inquiry is the systematic process of exploring issues/objects/works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions/judgments. Analysis is the process of breaking complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
  • Oral/Presentational Communication - Ability to deliver a well-prepared and purposeful presentation grounded in credible information and organized effectively.
  • Problem Solving - Ability to design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer a question or achieve a goal.
  • Quantitative Literacy - Ability to use quantifiable information and mathematical analysis to make connections and draw conclusions.
  • Written Communication - Ability to write and express ideas across a variety of genres and styles.

Assessment of student learning in Career and Technical Education degree programs also focuses on the skills and knowledge that employers consider are most important to workplace success. Those program-level outcomes are generally driven by field competencies and industry standards.  

For more information about PPSC’s assessment of student learning framework, please visit our Assessment webpage.

Research Activities 

PPSC encourages and supports the scholarly endeavors of its students. Pursuit of scholarly work and research often involves the use of human subjects for data collection and analysis. PPSC's Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews human subjects research proposals to ensure that:

  1. the rights and welfare of human subjects used in research studies are protected,
  2. risks have been considered and minimized,
  3. the potential for benefit has been identified and maximized,
  4. all human subjects only volunteer to participate in research after being provided with legally effective informed consent,
  5. any research is conducted in an ethical manner and in compliance with established standards, and
  6. all private information will be handled with confidentiality.

Students seeking to conduct such research may not solicit subject participation or begin data collection until they have obtained clearance by the PPSC IRB. For additional information, please contact the Chair of the PPSC IRB at patricia.grandieu@pikespeak.edu.