Pass/No Pass Grading and Non-Evaluative Symbols
Students may elect a Pass/No Pass (Credit/No Credit) grading option on eligible courses, declared within the first 30% of the class. A "Pass" (P) indicates C-or-better work; units are earned but not counted in the GPA. A "No Pass" (NP) indicates D or F work; no units are earned and it is not counted in the GPA, though it counts toward pace of progression for financial-aid purposes.
Several non-evaluative symbols – Incomplete (I), In Progress (IP), Report Delayed (RD), Withdrawal (W), Excused Withdrawal (EW), and Military Withdrawal (MW) – carry no grade-point value and are not used in calculating the GPA.
Source: Catalog 2026-2027, Grading Policy, pp.706-708 — verified Sep 2026
Course Repetition and Academic Renewal
When a student repeats a non-repeatable course to replace a substandard grade (D, F, NP, or W), only the most recent grade is used in computing the GPA; up to two prior substandard grades per course may be disregarded this way, though the original grade remains on the transcript.
Under Academic Renewal (Board Policy BP 4240), a student may petition to have up to 30 units of substandard coursework (grades of D, F, FW, or NP) disregarded from their cumulative GPA once at least two academic terms have passed and specified subsequent coursework thresholds are met. Academic Renewal actions are irreversible.
Source: Catalog 2026-2027, Course Repeatability and Repetition / Academic Renewal, pp.712-716 — verified Sep 2026
Academic and Progress Probation, Dismissal
A student who has attempted at least 12 semester units is placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, and is removed from probation once it returns to 2.0 or higher.
A student is placed on progress probation when the cumulative proportion of enrolled units recorded as W, I, NC, or NP reaches 50% or more.
A student on academic probation is subject to dismissal after three consecutive semesters with a cumulative GPA below 2.0; a student on progress probation is subject to dismissal after three consecutive semesters at or above the 50% threshold. Dismissed students may apply for readmission after one semester of non-attendance.
Source: Catalog 2026-2027, Probation, Dismissal, and Readmission (BP 4250), pp.715-716 — verified Sep 2026
Associate Degree GPA and Unit Requirements
The Associate Degree (AA/AS) requires a minimum of 60 units, a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all units attempted at Saddleback College, and at least 12 units completed in residence.
The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T) requires a minimum of 60 transferable units and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all transferable coursework, with major coursework completed at a grade of C or better (or "P").
Source: Catalog 2026-2027, Graduation Requirements, p.684 — verified Sep 2026
Dean's List and Graduation Honors
Students earning a 3.25 GPA or higher in 12 units, or 3.5 GPA or higher in at least 6 units, of letter-graded coursework in a single semester are placed on the Dean's List.
| Honor | GPA |
|---|---|
| Summa Cum Laude | 4.0 |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.75–3.99 |
| Cum Laude | 3.50–3.74 |
Graduation honors are calculated on all academic work, including transcripts from other accredited institutions, and require at least 24 semester units of letter-graded work completed at Saddleback College.
Source: Catalog 2026-2027, Scholarship Standards / Academic Honors at Graduation, p.715 — verified Sep 2026
Credit from Prior Institutions
Full reciprocity exists for courses completed at either Saddleback College or Irvine Valley College within the South Orange County Community College District. Saddleback College grants credit toward its local degrees and certificates for coursework from institutionally accredited colleges and universities; credit intended for CSU/UC transfer or an Associate Degree for Transfer must come from a regionally accredited institution.
Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited foreign-transcript evaluation service, with a detailed course, unit, and GPA breakdown, before credit toward an associate degree can be considered.
Source: Catalog 2026-2027, Credit from Prior Institutions, p.23 — verified Sep 2026