GPA Calculation and Repeats
Chattanooga State reports two GPAs: an institutional GPA (college-level courses only, used to determine graduation eligibility and honors) and a combined GPA (college-level plus learning-support courses, used to determine probation, suspension, financial aid, and athletic eligibility).
When a course is repeated, only the last grade counts toward the cumulative GPA — unless the course is repeated more than twice, in which case the third and all later attempts are all included in the GPA.
Transfer credits are not used to compute a student's GPA at Chattanooga State, though they are counted toward earned hours.
Academic Fresh Start is a one-time, irrevocable academic-forgiveness option that recalculates the GPA and credit hours toward graduation based only on courses completed after the student returns to the college.
Source: Academic Regulations – Calculation of GPA, Repeating a Course, Academic Fresh Start sections — verified Aug 2026
Academic Standing
A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required to remain in good standing. A student who fails to attain a 2.0 GPA for the credit hours attempted in a semester is placed on academic probation for the following semester.
A student on academic probation who fails to reach a 2.0 GPA for that semester is suspended for a minimum of one semester (the summer semester does not count toward the suspension period). Suspended students may appeal for readmission under the college's readmission policies, and re-enrolling students are placed on post-suspension probation.
Grades of W, S, N, and AU are not used when calculating GPA for probation or suspension purposes.
Source: Academic Regulations – Academic Retention Standards, Academic Probation, Academic Suspension sections — verified Aug 2026
Graduation GPA Requirement
A minimum institutional cumulative GPA of 2.000 (all college-level work) is required for an associate degree or a Technical Certificate of Credit; the Associate of Science in Teaching degree requires 2.750. A double major requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher across all college-level work.
Students must submit an Intent to Graduate form for the term in which they will complete all requirements, and incomplete grades in required courses must be resolved before a degree or certificate is posted.
Source: Academic Regulations – Graduation Requirements, Double Majors sections — verified Aug 2026
Commencement Honors and Dean's List
Chattanooga State grants honors at commencement based on institutional GPA:
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.900–4.000 GPA (gold cord)
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.700–3.899 GPA (blue cord)
- Cum Laude: 3.500–3.699 GPA (orange cord)
Students completing 12 or more hours of college-level work with a GPA of 3.50 or higher make the Dean's List for that semester.
Source: Academic Regulations – Commencement Honors, Dean's List sections — verified Aug 2026
Transfer Credit and GPA
The college accepts transfer credit from other institutions; official transcripts are evaluated course-by-course. All grades transfer in, but a grade of "D" may or may not satisfy degree requirements or prerequisites depending on the program — a grade of "C" or better is required in all prerequisite courses and in program-directed/technical electives, Allied Health programs, the Associate of Science in Teaching, and Technical Certificates.
Transfer credits are not used in computing a student's Chattanooga State GPA, but they are counted toward earned hours. Credit from non-regionally-accredited institutions must be appealed individually by department or validated by departmental examination.
Source: Academic Regulations – Transcript Evaluations section — verified Aug 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does Chattanooga State Community College use?
Where does this Chattanooga State Community College grade scale come from?
What are Chattanooga State Community College's GPA rules?
Source: Academic Regulations – Calculation of GPA, Repeating a Course, Academic Fresh Start sections — verified Aug 2026
What are Chattanooga State Community College's academic standing rules?
Source: Academic Regulations – Academic Retention Standards, Academic Probation, Academic Suspension sections — verified Aug 2026
What does Chattanooga State Community College require to graduate?
Source: Academic Regulations – Graduation Requirements, Double Majors sections — verified Aug 2026
How are honors and awards decided at Chattanooga State Community College?
Source: Academic Regulations – Commencement Honors, Dean's List sections — verified Aug 2026
How does Chattanooga State Community College treat transfer credit?
Source: Academic Regulations – Transcript Evaluations section — verified Aug 2026