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Grading and Instructional Support
If you have questions about lesson shipments, financial matters, or other administrative concerns, call our Student Services Department at (480) 314-2102 or fax them at (480) 314-2138. Be sure to have your student number when you contact us.
Student Services counselors provide you with information on lesson and kit shipments and your student record. These specially trained counselors can help with virtually any administrative questions and concerns you may have.
They can help by sending transcripts of your progress to your employer, making address changes, and ensuring that you receive study materials when you need them. You may write, call, or fax your questions to Student Services and receive a prompt reply. Be sure to give us your name, address, and student number, and remember to be as specific as possible in your request.
How and When Your Course Material is Shipped to You
Once you enroll, you will receive a Course Outline under separate cover. This outline is a listing of all the study material in your course, including titles and numbers of all lesson booklets and kits. Your outline also shows the sequence in which material is sent to you. We do not ship your entire course at once. We ship your material in a specific order to maintain the educational value of your training.
Grading System
Every assignment will be graded and you will receive appropriate comments and suggestions from your instructor. The Sonoran Desert Institute uses the following grading system:
| Grade % | Letter Grade |
| 90-100 | A |
| 80-89 | B |
| 70-79 | C |
| 60-69 | D |
If you receive a grade lower than 60%, you will be asked to do the assignment over and resubmit it. This is to ensure your complete understanding of the material. We will record only the higher, passing grade on your final material.
Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society
The Sonoran Desert Institute Chapter of the Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society (DET) was established to recognize extraordinary high academic achievements and leadership of SDI graduates. Click here for more information.
Instructional Support
To get help with your studies, call the Instruction Department at 480.314.2102 or fax them at 480.314.2138. Be sure to have your student number handy when you contact us.
The Sonoran Desert Institute’s professional staff of instructors is dedicated to helping you progress smoothly throughout your course. They can help you with any questions or problems you may encounter with your lessons, kits, or special assignments. If you wish, they are also able to give you helpful professional guidance when you need it.
You can get help from your instructor by writing, calling, or faxing. When you write, please use one of the special “Ask Your Instructor” forms we provide with your study materials. Be sure to fill in your name, address, and student number. Also, please provide us with a telephone number where you can e reached – your instructor may telephone you in certain cases. You can also fax us your letter if you have access to a fax machine. If you do decide to fax us your question, be sure that you provide us with a fax number so that we may reply quickly.
Whether you write, call, or fax, it is important that you be as specific as possible about your request or problem. Please give the lesson number, title, page, and paragraph reference (if applicable).
Graduation Requirements and Diploma
In order to receive your diploma, you must pass all course examinations and meet all your financial obligations to the Sonoran Desert Institute. Your diploma will arrive four to six weeks after you complete your course.
Transcripts
For written verification of your grade average on lessons and projects completed, you may request an official transcript. All transcripts are provided free of charge. Just let us know when you need this service. If you need a transcript prior to course completion, simply contact us and we will gladly provide it for you. Be sure to tell us where and to whom you want your transcript(s) sent.
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