Grading
Sonoran Desert Institute ensures each student displays a mastery of the knowledge and skills required for the student’s selected coursework. In order for SDI to accomplish this, SDI must gauge the progress of the student. One of the measures SDI uses is the scoring of the student’s academic activities from the coursework taken at the Institute. Grades from these academic assessments within each course are combined to reflect a final course score, which is recorded in the student’s official grade record.
Students requiring grade verification may request a current transcript at any point during a program of study from the Office of the Registrar or by emailing transcripts@sdi.edu. Upon graduation, students will automatically receive an official transcript along with the diploma indicating program completion. Additional official transcripts may be requested by students as needed. Transcripts will only be released to students in good financial standing with the Institute.
Associate of Firearms Technology and Certificate in Firearms Technology – Gunsmithing Grade Scale
| Grade | Percentage | Grade Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97-100 | 4.0 | Pass |
| A | 92-96 | 3.9 | Pass |
| A- | 90-91 | 3.7 | Pass |
| B+ | 86-89 | 3.5 | Pass |
| B | 82-85 | 3.3 | Pass |
| B- | 80-81 | 3.0 | Pass |
| C+ | 76-79 | 2.5 | Pass |
| C | 72-75 | 2.3 | Pass |
| C- | 70-71 | 2.0 | Pass |
| F | Below 70 | 0.0 | Fail |
| PASS | Above 70 | N/A | Pass |
| W | N/A | N/A | Withdrawal |
| I | N/A | N/A | Incomplete |
Certificate in Firearms Technology – Handgun Specialist and Certificate in Unmanned Technology – Aerial Systems Grade Scale
| Grade | Lower Limit | Upper Limit | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 94.00 | 100.00 | 4.00 |
| A- | 90.00 | 93.99 | 3.70 |
| B+ | 87.00 | 89.99 | 3.30 |
| B | 83.00 | 86.99 | 3.00 |
| B- | 80.00 | 82.99 | 2.70 |
| C+ | 77.00 | 79.99 | 2.30 |
| C | 70.00 | 76.99 | 2.00 |
| F | 0.00 | 69.99 | 0.00 |
| W | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Withdrawals & Incomplete Grades
W – Course Withdrawals
Students requesting to be withdrawn from a course up to the 75% point will be assigned a W grade. Course withdrawals will be treated as credits attempted but not earned for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) purposes.
I – Incomplete Grades
Incomplete grades may be granted for extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from completing the necessary coursework. The request must be submitted by 48-hours after the course end date. Student must have demonstrated active participation through at least the 75% point in the course and have the potential to earn a passing grade.
If an approval is granted, an appropriate timeframe for submission of the additional work will be determined on a case-by-case basis, not to extend beyond one week after the course end date. The VA certification period will not be extended for the duration of the incomplete grade; however, if the student begins a new term, students will be accountable for participation in the subsequent semester coursework while completing work for any course with an incomplete grade. Incompletes will not be used in the SAP evaluation until a final grade is entered.
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