Understanding Olympic College Transcripts: A Comprehensive Guide
Olympic College provides various avenues for students to earn and transfer academic credits. This article delves into the intricacies of Olympic College's policies regarding transcripts, transfer credits, grading systems, academic standards, and grade appeals. It aims to provide a clear understanding for prospective and current students navigating their academic journey at Olympic College.
Transferring Credits to Olympic College
Olympic College acknowledges the diverse educational backgrounds of its students and has established policies to facilitate the transfer of credits earned at other institutions.
Accreditation and Statewide Policies
Olympic College recognizes credits from regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. The college adheres to statewide policies on credit transfer among Washington's public and private colleges and universities, as approved by the Joint Transfer Counsel, the Intercollege Relations Commission, and the Articulation and Transfer Council.
Course Equivalency
For a course to be accepted for transfer, it must be substantially equivalent in academic level and content to coursework offered at Olympic College. However, exceptions are made for courses in subjects not offered at Olympic College, such as Chinese language, or courses similar in level and intent but not directly offered, such as HIST&220 (History) and African American History.
Minimum Grade Requirements
A minimum grade of 2.0 or higher is generally required for each transferred course. However, up to 20 credits may be transferred with a grade between 1.0 and 1.99. Notably, English&101 (College Composition) requires a minimum grade of 2.0 for transfer. Courses with grades below 2.0 cannot be used to fulfill prerequisite requirements.
Read also: Requirements for IOC Internships
Procedure for Transcript Evaluation
To have transcripts evaluated, students must submit all official transcripts. Special procedures apply to transcripts from international universities, which often require evaluation through a foreign credentials service.
Common Course Numbering System
Washington state community and technical colleges utilize a Common Course Numbering system to simplify the transfer process. Courses with an ampersand "&" after the prefix code are part of this system, indicating equivalency across participating colleges.
Alternative Credit Options
Olympic College offers various alternative methods for students to earn college credit, recognizing prior learning and experiences.
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
Students can earn credit through the Advanced Placement program administered by the College Board. Official test scores should be submitted directly to the Registration & Records office.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
Students may be eligible for course credit based on their performance in the International Baccalaureate program. An official International Baccalaureate transcript must be sent directly to the Registration & Records office.
Read also: Educational Support in Region 114
CTE Dual Credit
High school and technical school students can earn both high school and college credit simultaneously through the "Direct Transcript of CTE Dual Credit" agreement. A grade of "B" or higher in specific CTE Dual Credit courses allows students to apply for college credit through their teacher.
Credit by Testing
Olympic College recognizes commonly accepted higher education equivalency exams documented via a transcript or other official record. The number of credits awarded depends on scores and departmental requirements.
Credit for Prior Learning
Olympic College acknowledges that students gain knowledge and skills through various experiences, including work, life, and education or training at unaccredited institutions. Credit may be awarded based on American Council on Education recommendations for Military Experience, Armed Forces schools, DANTES SST scores, College Level Examination Program, Credit by Examination, and Credit by Vertical Challenge. When no established equivalency exists, faculty advisors evaluate credit on a case-by-case basis.
Course Challenges
Students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills by taking challenge examinations that cover the same material as a regular course.
Credit by Examination
Current Olympic College students can apply to take a comprehensive examination covering the subject matter of a designated course. This examination can only be taken once within a 12-month period.
Read also: Olympic Excellence at UCLA
Credit by Vertical Challenge
Current students may be eligible to earn credit for certain courses through vertical challenge. This involves registering for an advanced course and receiving credit for a bypassed course with a grade of "P," provided a numerical grade of 3.0 or higher is achieved in the advanced course.
Professional-Technical Credit
Credit may be awarded in professional-technical programs for experience and/or competency gained outside Olympic College, including courses taken at proprietary colleges, military service schools, or through journeyman-level work experience.
Grading System at Olympic College
Olympic College employs a decimal grading system. Grades are typically available three to five days after the end of the final examination period and can be accessed via the ctcLink Student Homepage.
Special Grades
- "I" (Incomplete): This grade indicates that a student has made progress but was unable to complete course requirements due to circumstances beyond their control. The instructor must specify the remaining work and the grade to which the "I" will revert if the work is not completed within a specified timeframe (usually a maximum of 120 days).
- "N" (Audit): This grade signifies participation in a course without evaluation. It does not count towards college credit or the GPA.
- "P" (Pass) / "NC" (No Credit): These grades are used for courses designated as "Pass/No Credit," zero-credit Adult Basic Education courses, and community service courses. A "P" grade in a credit course indicates a grade point of 2.0 or higher.
- "W" (Withdrawal): This grade is automatically assigned by the Registration & Records office when a student officially withdraws from a course between the 10th and 30th instructional day of the term or before completing 60% of the course.
- "WP" (Withdrawal Passing): This grade may be assigned by the instructor if a student did not complete enough of the course to be graded but achieved a passing grade while in attendance. It does not count towards college credit or the GPA.
- "WF" (Withdrawal Failing): This grade may be assigned if a student did not complete enough of the course to be graded and did not achieve a passing grade while in attendance. It does not count towards college credit or the GPA.
Grade Changes
Only the instructor can change a grade, and the change must be submitted within the next term (excluding Summer Term) after the grade was officially given to the student.
Grade Forgiveness
Former Olympic College students who have not been in full-time enrollment status at any college for two or more years may petition to amend their GPA. This requires successfully completing at least 12 term credits at Olympic College with a 2.0 GPA or higher. If approved, a "cut-off" line is drawn across the transcript, and grades prior to that date are not used in GPA calculations, although credits can still be used for graduation if specified.
Course Repetition
A student may repeat a course up to two times (for a maximum of three attempts). If a grade of 2.0 or the required prerequisite grade is not achieved after three attempts, the student may request another opportunity to repeat the course with a written rationale and an unofficial transcript submitted to a full-time professor in the subject.
Course Substitution
Faculty in professional-technical programs may substitute one course for another in degrees and certificates, including AAS and ATA degrees.
Honors and Academic Standards
Olympic College recognizes academic achievements through quarterly honors designations and graduation honors.
Quarterly Honors
These designations recognize scholastic achievement at the associate level. Students who qualify receive a letter of commendation.
Graduation with Honors
This designation recognizes students who have achieved a specific college-level GPA. The honors notation appears with the graduate's name in the Commencement Ceremony program and on the student transcript. At least 24 GPA credits of 100-level coursework or higher must be earned at Olympic College for an associate designation.
Academic Standards Policy
This policy aims to identify and assist students experiencing academic difficulty. Students whose quarterly GPA falls below 2.0 are alerted to their academic status and provided with resources to improve their performance. A minimum quarterly GPA of 2.0 must be maintained when 6 or more credits are attempted to remain in good standing. The Office of the Registrar monitors the Academic Standards Progress Policy.
Academic Suspension
Students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress may face academic suspension. A student may appeal a One-Term Academic Suspension. If the appeal is unsuccessful and the student does not achieve a quarterly 2.0 GPA in the subsequent term, they will be suspended for four consecutive terms. Students on Academic Suspension are blocked from registering for classes.
Grade Appeal Procedure
Olympic College provides a formal process for students to appeal final grades if they believe the grade was arbitrary or capricious.
Informal Resolution
Before initiating a formal appeal, students must meet with the instructor to discuss their concerns and the reasons for requesting a grade revision.
Formal Appeal Process
If the issue remains unresolved, the student may submit a written appeal to the instructor's dean, with a copy to the instructor, within the first three instructional weeks of the subsequent term. The dean forwards the appeal to the instructor, who must provide a written response within 10 instructional days. The dean reviews the documentation and meets with the student and, if necessary, the instructor. The dean's consideration is limited to whether the instructor's grade was arbitrary or capricious.
Appeal of Dean's Ruling
A student may appeal the dean's written ruling by submitting a notice of appeal to the dean, identifying specific grounds for further review, within 10 days of receiving the dean's ruling. The dean then appoints a review team of 3 faculty members from the discipline or related disciplines to review the documentation and the dean's ruling. The faculty review team provides a written ruling to the student and instructor within 15 instructional days, with a copy to the dean. If the team does not find the instructor's grade arbitrary or capricious, the team's ruling is the final step in the appeal process.
Additional Information
Olympic College is an open-door institution that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds. Most students must complete the admissions steps before enrolling in classes, and some programs may have additional requirements. Beginning Winter 2026, all students must sign the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement (SFRA) in ctcLink before registering for classes.
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