Academic Standing
To remain in good academic standing, students are expected to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for each quarter. Programs with programmatic accreditation (e.g., nursing) may require a different GPA standard for a student to maintain good academic standing in that program.
- Academic Alert: a student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 is placed on academic alert; achieving a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher reinstates good academic standing.
- Academic Intervention: a student on academic alert whose cumulative GPA is still below 2.0 the following quarter moves to academic intervention; they remain there while their quarterly GPA is 2.0 or higher but cumulative GPA stays below 2.0, and return to good standing once cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or higher.
- Academic Break: a student on academic intervention whose quarterly and cumulative GPA are both below 2.0 is required to take an academic break of up to one year, with an option to petition for reinstatement.
Source: SVC Policy 5335, Academic Standards (rev. 7/10/24) — verified Sep 2026
Degree and Certificate Requirements
To be awarded college degrees, certificates, and/or diplomas, students must complete the requirements currently in effect as specified in the college catalog, with the provision that a student who is continuously enrolled (with the exception of summer quarter) may qualify for graduation on the basis of the requirements stated in the catalog that was in existence when the student first enrolled.
Source: SVC Policy 4300, Academic Standards And Grading — verified Sep 2026
Credit for Prior Learning and Transfer Credit
Skagit Valley College will assess and award credit for prior learning that has occurred outside the classroom and/or through previous educational endeavors, per the Washington State Community and Technical College Guidelines for Prior Learning Assessment. The college will also accept native credits and transferred-in credits according to their applicability to the student's chosen program; for advanced placement, the college evaluator determines applicability upon receipt of the completed advanced placement courses on an official transcript. Application of credits to the college's Associate in Arts University and College Transfer (AAUCT) and other transfer degrees is in accordance with requirements in the college catalog.
Source: SVC Policy 4300, Academic Standards And Grading — verified Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does Skagit Valley College (SVC) use?
Where does this SVC grade scale come from?
What are SVC's academic standing rules?
Source: SVC Policy 5335, Academic Standards (rev. 7/10/24) — verified Sep 2026
What does SVC require to graduate?
Source: SVC Policy 4300, Academic Standards And Grading — verified Sep 2026
How does SVC treat transfer credit?
Source: SVC Policy 4300, Academic Standards And Grading — verified Sep 2026
