Grading Policies
Minimum Grade-Point Average
The Graduate School requires all graduate students to maintain a minimum, cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a scale during their studies to remain enrolled. The Graduate School reviews students’ academic performances each semester. Failure to maintain the minimum GPA requirements may result in academic dismissal. No student may graduate with a cumulative grade-point average of less than 3.00.
The Graduate School expects students to meet the highest standards of academic integrity — the success of the entire academic enterprise depends on them doing so. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or abetting the academic dishonesty of another will result in sanction and may lead to academic dismissal.
Grades
The Graduate School permits instructors to assign final grades using the “plus or minus” grading system. The available letter grades and corresponding quality point values used for grade-point average calculations are as follows:
| A |
4.00 |
| A- |
3.67 |
| B+ |
3.33 |
| B |
3.00 |
| B- |
2.67 |
| C+ |
2.33 |
| C |
2.00 |
| C- |
1.67 |
| D+ |
1.33 |
| D |
1.00 |
| D- |
0.67 |
| F |
0.00 |
All graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to remain in good academic standing and to graduate. If no grade is given to a student, the student automatically receives a No Mark (NM) on their record at the end of the term.
The NM remains on the record until a final letter grade is submitted. All No Marks and Incompletes on a student’s record must be reconciled (i.e., given the appropriate terminal grade) before the student graduates. Since graduate students must maintain an overall B grade-point average (a B- average does not constitute satisfactory academic progress), every credit hour of C in coursework must be balanced by a credit hour of A. However, a grade of A in master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation research will not balance a grade of C in a course.
Repeating a Course
Students must repeat courses in which they receive a D or F. No student may graduate with an unresolved or unrepeated D or F on their record. Students who earn a grade lower than a B may repeat the course. A student must repeat any course in which they receive a WP or WF in that policy. A WP and WF count as a grade and an attempt. The grade on any repeated course, whether it is higher or lower than the original grade, takes the place of the original grade. Students may repeat a course only once, unless the course has been designated or approved as a multiple repeat course for degree completion (e.g., lab rotations, special topics, thesis/dissertation registrations).
Pass/Fail
Programs may use a Pass/Fail (P/F) grading system at their discretion for independent field work, special projects, independent study, seminars, workshops, and departmental courses in instructional methods.
Audit
Courses taken for Audit (AU) do not count toward the minimum credit requirement for degree or postbaccalaureate certificate completion. Charges for audit courses are the same as credit courses, except for ABGA courses. ABGA courses may not be audited.
Changes to Grade Method
Changes to the method used for a student’s final course grade (i.e., letter grade to pass/fail or letter grade to audit) may not be made after the last day to drop a course (end of Week 8) for the term.
Temporary and Final Grades (Incompletes and No Marks)
Students should complete all the requirements of graduate coursework during the semester in which they take the course. The graduate faculty should issue final grades by the date listed on the final report of grades. No student may graduate with an Incomplete (I), No Mark (NM), or failing grade (F) in courses required for their degree program.
Incomplete Grades
An Incomplete grade (I) is appropriate (i.e., may be assigned by the instructor) when a student has an unexpected inability to complete a final assignment in a class. Students should not re-register for a course when an Incomplete has been assigned.
The student and the instructor/faculty member should create and sign a contract that facilitates completion of the outstanding assignment(s). Graduate faculty must change Incomplete (I) grades to final letter grades for all courses required for the degree.
They must assign letter grades within one academic year of the time at which the required course ended. If a grade has not been assigned within one year, the grade of "F" will be assigned. This policy does not apply to the 799 and 899 research grades, where the graduate faculty may assign letter grades, Pass/Fail (P/F) grades, or Incomplete grades. Incomplete grades should be replaced by appropriate terminal grades before the examining committee approves the applicable research.
No Mark Grades
A No Mark grade (NM) is put in place opposite courses in which no final grade has been posted (i.e., when a faculty member is unable to submit a grade by the grade deadline). Students should not re-register for a course when a No Mark has been assigned except in the case of lab rotations and thesis/dissertation research.
Appeal of Grade
A student who thinks that a final grade in a course is the result of arbitrary or capricious grading may appeal to the Graduate School dean. The procedural guidelines for handling allegations of arbitrary and capricious grading appear in the Policies section of this catalog.
Credit by Examination
A graduate student may obtain graduate credit by examination in courses at the 400 level previously identified as acceptable by the appropriate program. Generally, credit by examination is not available for courses at the 600, 700, or 800 levels for courses that, in the judgment of the Graduate Council, require a continuing interaction between faculty and students to achieve the educational goals of advanced study. Students may receive credit by examination only for a course in which they are otherwise eligible to receive graduate credit. Programs may establish limits on the number of credits students may earn through credit by examination. Graduate students seeking this option must obtain the consent of their advisors. The fee for each examination is equivalent to the cost of graduate tuition for 1 credit. Students must pay the nonrefundable fee upon application for the examination.