How GPA is calculated
Letter grades indicate the quality of a student's work. Grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total quality points earned by the total credit hours attempted.
Grades of I (Incomplete), AU (Audit), W (Withdrawal), P (Pass) and NP (No Pass) are not included in the standard calculation of GPA. FA indicates the student failed due to stopped attendance and, like F, carries 0.0 quality points.
Source: PSTCC 2026-2027 College Catalog, Academic Information section — verified Sep 2026
Repeating a course
A student may repeat a course to increase mastery or to raise their GPA. In computing the GPA, only the highest grade earned in a repeated course is counted, and hours attempted are counted only once, provided the course is not repeated more than twice (three attempts total). If a course is repeated more than twice, the grade from the third and later attempts is used in the GPA. Repeating a course in which a grade of B or higher was earned requires approval from the chief academic officer.
Source: PSTCC 2026-2027 College Catalog, Academic Information section — verified Sep 2026
Academic probation and suspension
A student who fails to attain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for credit hours attempted in any term is placed on academic probation for the following term. A student on probation who does not reach a cumulative 2.0 GPA but earns at least a 2.0 term GPA has the probationary status extended. A student on probation who fails to meet either standard is suspended for a minimum of one term; a second suspension results in a three-term suspension. The summer term does not count as a term of suspension, though it is included within a longer suspension and a suspended student may not attend summer classes.
Source: PSTCC 2026-2027 College Catalog, Academic Information section — verified Sep 2026
Graduation GPA and residency requirements
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on all college-level coursework is required for graduation (2.75 for the Associate of Science in Teaching). At least 25% of the credit hours for an associate degree or certificate must be completed at Pellissippi State, including at least 12 hours in the major preceding graduation with an Associate of Applied Science. A minimum of 60 credit hours is required for an associate degree. A student may graduate under the requirements of any single catalog in effect during their attendance, provided it is within six years of the date of graduation.
Source: PSTCC 2026-2027 College Catalog, Academic Information section — verified Sep 2026
Graduation honors and Dean's Honor List
Students graduating with the following cumulative GPAs in college-level courses receive an honors designation on their diplomas: 3.90-4.00 Summa Cum Laude, 3.70-3.89 Magna Cum Laude, and 3.50-3.69 Cum Laude. Pellissippi State also recognizes outstanding students through the Dean's Honor List (3.50-4.00 GPA), for which students become eligible upon completing 12 college-level hours per term.
Source: PSTCC 2026-2027 College Catalog, Academic Information section — verified Sep 2026