Policy Number: 46
GRADES
UNDERGRADUATE GRADING SYSTEM
Evaluation of a student's achievement shall be the responsibility of the instructor. At the beginning of the term the instructor shall give students the measures to be used in evaluations. Instructors should attempt to consult with students who are doing unsatisfactory work and are required to inform them of their level of performance at mid-term.
The following grades may be given:
|
Grade |
Description |
Grade Point Value |
|
A |
Excellent |
4 |
|
B |
Good |
3 |
|
C |
Average |
2 |
|
D |
Poor but Passed |
1 |
|
F |
Failed |
0 |
|
CR |
Credit |
|
|
NC |
No Credit |
|
|
AU |
Audit |
|
|
I |
Incomplete |
|
|
W |
Withdrew, No Grade |
|
|
WP |
Withdrew, Passing |
|
|
WF |
Withdrew, Failing |
An incomplete grade may be given for a course when a student has been unable to complete the course requirements within the official limits of the term because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control. The circumstances must be documented to the instructor's satisfaction.
When an instructor neglects to record a grade for a student on the official grade sheet, a grade of X shall be recorded. It shall be the responsibility of the instructor to send a change of grade form to the Records Office to report the appropriate grade for the student.
When the instructor fails to submit a final grade roster to the Records Office by the deadline announced, the instructor shall be responsible for submitting the original grade sheets and change of grade forms to the Records Office.
Mid-Term Grades
If, at mid-semester, students have grades of D or F in courses, instructors shall notify students, either verbally or in writing, giving appropriate counsel and advice as necessary. Such notification shall be made within one week following the mid-semester date.
In addition, instructors shall complete mid-semester grade sheets for 1000-level and 2000-level courses indicating students who are achieving grades of D or F. Grade sheets shall be distributed by and returned to the Dean of Enrollment Management, for compilation and distribution to the following student support services: Academic Advisement, Counseling Services, Reading Clinic, Housing, Student Personnel Services, and Academic Development.
Grade Changes
An instructor who wishes to change a grade because of an error in recording or calculation may obtain the appropriate form from the Records Office or the Department Chair. The form, appropriately completed, shall be sent to the Records Office with a copy retained in the department. The Records Office shall make the grade change as requested.
If a student wishes to appeal a grade, the procedures outlined in the Grade Appeals policy shall be followed. If the appeals procedures result in a grade change, the instructor shall initiate the grade change and forward it through the Department Chair to the Records Office indicating that the change is the result of the appeals procedure. The Records Office shall make the change as requested.
If the circumstances suggest that consideration be given to changing a grade to a withdrawal, the Dean of Enrollment Management shall investigate the situation and report the results to the instructor. If the instructor authorizes the change, the Dean of Enrollment Management shall notify the Records Office to make the appropriate change. The instructor shall be provided a copy of such authorization.
At the end of each grading period, the Registrar shall submit to the Vice President for Academic Affairs a summary of grade changes made during the period.
GRADUATE GRADING SYSTEM
Credit
The unit of measure is the semester hour. One semester hour approximates the effort expended in 50 minutes of class work and 100 minutes of study during each week of the semester. One semester hour also approximates the effort expended in at least 50 minute laboratory or other scheduled class activity per week (for example; art studio). Laboratories or other scheduled class activities often require more scheduled instruction and fewer minutes of study outside the time scheduled; therefore, laboratories or other scheduled class activities may be scheduled for more instructional minutes for one semester hour of credit depending on the discipline and nature of the laboratory. Any exception of these policies requires approval of the Council on Graduate Studies; exceptions will appear in the course descriptions approved through the established curricular process.
Grades
|
Grade |
Description |
Value |
|
A |
Excellent and Acceptable Credit |
4 |
|
B |
Good and Acceptable Credit |
3 |
|
C |
Limited for Graduate-Level Credit |
2 |
|
D |
Unacceptable for Graduate-Level Credit |
1 |
|
F |
Failed - No Credit |
0 |
|
CR |
Credit |
- |
|
NC |
No Credit |
- |
|
I |
Incomplete |
- |
|
DC |
Deferred Credit |
- |
|
W |
Withdrew - No Grade |
- |
|
WP |
Withdrew - Passing |
- |
|
WF |
Withdrew - Failing |
- |
|
X |
No Grade Submitted |
- |
|
AU |
Audit |
- |
Grades of A and B
Grades of A and B reflect the level of competence that is acceptable for graduate credit.
Grades of C
Grades of C are limited for graduate level credit. Grades of C may be used to fulfill the requirements for a degree program; however, a graduate candidate receiving more than nine semester hours of graduate level credit with a grade below a B is disqualified from degree candidacy. Disqualified candidates are automatically reclassified as non-degree post-baccalaureate students.
Grades of D or F
Both grades of D and F are unacceptable for graduate-level credit. Courses in which a graduate candidate earns a grade of D or F may not be used to fulfill any requirements for the degree program. A graduate candidate receiving more than nine semester hours of graduate-level credit with a grade below B is disqualified from degree candidacy. Disqualified candidates are automatically reclassified as non-degree post-baccalaureate students.
Credit/No Credit
Certain graduate courses such as thesis, independent study, field study, or internship, may be designated by a department or program as "credit/no credit." Students who successfully fulfill the requirements for a course designated credit/no credit receive a "CR" on their transcript. Students who do not successfully fulfill the requirements receive an "NC" for the course. The credit/no credit designation is only available to those courses so designated.
Incomplete for Courses
The grade "I" or "incomplete" for graduate courses is given only when, because of illness or some other valid reason, a student's progress in a course is delayed so that not all requirements for the course are fulfilled by the official closing date of the term. A student receiving a grade of "I" must prepare an instructor-approved plan which will allow completion of the work no later than the end of the next grading period in which the student is in residence but not later than one calendar year from the end of the term in which the grade of "I" was received. If the plan is accomplished, the instructor will submit a "Removal of Incomplete Grade Form" indicating the appropriate grade to the Records Office. To insure that the Graduate School can certify removal of incomplete, it is recommended that the Removal of Incomplete Grade Form be on file with the Records Office no later than the Last Class Day published in the Class Schedule. If the conditions are not met, the student will not be afforded the opportunity to complete the requirements necessary to receive a grade in the course, and the grade of "I" will be permanently recorded on the transcript. Instructors are responsible for making arrangements with the department chair regarding the execution of approved plans to change an incomplete if the instructor will be away from campus during the program completion period.
Deferred Credit
Graduate courses such as field-experience, independent study, thesis, or research may require work of a continuing nature over several terms before the final project is completed. The grade of "DC" or "Deferred Credit" will be recorded for these courses and designates that the student remain enrolled for credit throughout the term. Upon completion of the final project, the instructor will file a "Removal of Deferred Credit" form with the Records Office no later than the Last Class Day published in the Class Schedule.
Withdrawal With No Credit
Students withdrawing from a course or from the University within the first 10 class days of the semester receive no grade for the course. Students withdrawing from a course or from the University between the 11th day and the Friday of the 9th week of the term will receive the grade designation of "W" or "Withdraw" on the transcript.
Withdrawal Passing or Withdrawal Failing
Students who withdraw after the Friday of the 9th week of class but before the Friday of the 11th week of class will receive a "WP" or "Withdraw Passing" if the work in the course is passing. The "WF" or "Withdraw Failing" will be given if the work in the course is failing. Students may not initiate withdrawal from a course later than the Friday of the 11th week of the semester. Cutoff dates for intersession and summer terms are reduced proportionally. Specific withdraw dates are listed in the Class Schedule published each term.
Audit
With permission of the instructor, graduate candidates may enroll for a class as an auditor. Students must obtain an audit card from the Registration Office and return the completed card signed by the instructor of the class to the Registration Office. Deadlines to submit audit requests are listed in the Class Schedule published each semester. If the student satisfies the audit requirements established by the course instructor, then the "AU" designation will appear on the transcript. If the course instructor determines that the student's performance did not meet the audit requirements, no grade entry will appear on the transcript. Courses taken under the audit category are considered part of the maximum load. Tuition and fees for auditing courses are the same as courses taken for credit.
Approved:
President
October 17, 2001
Monitor: Vice President for Academic Affairs