How grading works at College of the Canyons
COC grades on a 4.0 scale with grade points assigned per unit: A (4), B (3), C (2), D (1), and F (0). Awarding grades is the responsibility of the course instructor.
An FW grade (failing because the student ceased to participate after the withdrawal deadline) also carries 0 grade points/unit and is treated the same as F for GPA, course repetition, and academic standing.
Source: COC Grades / Grading Policy page (grading system and grade point equivalents) — verified Aug 2026
Which grades count toward your GPA at COC
These grades are not used in computing your GPA: I (Incomplete), W (Withdrawal), EW (Excused Withdrawal), MW (Military Withdrawal), CR (Credit), P (Pass), NC (No Credit), NP (No Pass), IP (In Progress), and RD (Report Delayed).
Pass/No Pass courses are not counted in your GPA, though they are considered when calculating progress probation/dismissal standing. Credit toward graduation from Pass/No Pass courses is capped at 18 units (units from Advanced Placement credit are exempt from this cap), and generally cannot count toward major requirements except for Transfer Studies and General Arts & Sciences majors, which are limited to 9 units.
Source: COC Grades / Grading Policy page (grade-point exclusions; Pass/No Pass Policy) — verified Aug 2026
Pass/No Pass grades and transfer
Courses taken on a Pass/No Pass basis may not be accepted toward your intended transfer institution's major requirements. If you plan to transfer, consult with your target institution before choosing the Pass/No Pass option for a course.
Source: COC Grades / Grading Policy page (Pass/No Pass Policy) — verified Aug 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does College of the Canyons (COC) use?
Where does this COC grade scale come from?
Does College of the Canyons use plus/minus or A+ grading?
No. COC's grading table lists only whole-letter grades — A, B, C, D, F, and FW — worth 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, and 0 grade points per unit respectively. No A+, A-, B+, or other modified letter grades are listed.
Source: COC Grades / Grading Policy page (grading system and grade point equivalents) — verified Aug 2026
Does an FW grade affect my GPA at COC?
Yes. FW (failing because the student ceased to participate after the withdrawal deadline) carries 0 grade points/unit and is "treated in the same manner as an F grade for the purposes of calculating grade point average, course repetition, and academic standings for probation/dismissal." A plain W (Withdrawal, without the failing designation) carries no point value and is not counted.
Source: COC Grades / Grading Policy page (grading system and grade point equivalents) — verified Aug 2026
Do Pass/No Pass grades affect my GPA at COC?
No. Courses graded Pass/No Pass "are not counted in the calculation of grade point average," although they are considered when calculating progress probation/dismissal standing. Pass/No Pass credit toward graduation is capped at 18 units.
Source: COC Grades / Grading Policy page (Pass/No Pass Policy) — verified Aug 2026
