Grading System
Letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) carry a quality point value and are used in the computation of semester and cumulative grade point averages. Letter grades and their corresponding quality point values are as follows:
| A |
= 4.0 |
|
B+ |
= 3.3 |
|
C+ |
= 2.3 |
|
D+ |
= 1.3 |
| A– |
= 3.7 |
|
B |
= 3.0 |
|
C |
= 2.0 |
|
D |
= 1.0 |
|
|
|
B– |
= 2.7 |
|
C– |
= 1.7 |
|
F |
= 0.0 |
Credits and Quality Points. A student’s cumulative grade point average is determined by dividing the number of quality points earned by the number of credit hours attempted in which quality points may be earned (graded total). Credits transferred from other institutions do not carry quality points and are therefore not computed in the grade point average.
Repeating Courses. A student may repeat any course in which a grade of D+, D, or F was received. With repeated courses, the second grade and credits count in the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA, but the original grade and course will remain on the student’s transcript. All repeat courses must be taken at Messiah College, including approved off-campus program, subject to the assessment of course equivalency.
Grade Appeal Procedures.
If a student disagrees with a grade which has been given in a particular course, and it has been determined that the grade recorded was not in error, the student may initiate the grade appeal process. A student’s final grade may not be raised by doing additional assignments after the course has concluded or by revising previously submitted assignments.
- Informal discussion between student and instructor. If the discussion results in a grade change, a grade change request form is submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the instructor. If the matter is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student is referred to the department chair.
- Informal discussion between student and department chair. The student should informally discuss the matter with the department chair. The department chair should discuss the concern with the instructor. If the discussions result in a grade change, a grade change request form is submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the instructor. If the matter is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student is informed that there is a formal appeal procedure. The first informal contact with the department chair must be before the end of the semester following the semester in which the grade was earned
- Formal discussion between student, instructor, and department chair. The department chair should arrange a meeting to discuss the matter with the student and instructor together. If this discussion results in a grade change, a grade change request form is submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the instructor. The student should be informed in writing of this decision. If the matter is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student should be informed in writing of this decision, along with options available to the student.
- Student appeal in writing to department chair. This written appeal must be made within ten working days of the written notification of the student by the department chair of the outcome of the formal discussions. Within ten working days of the student’s appeal, the department chair must inform the instructor of the appeal and provide a copy of the student’s appeal. The instructor has ten working days to provide a written explanation of the student’s grade. The department chair has ten working days to convene a departmental meeting (without the instructor or student present) to review the case and come to a decision based on the student’s written appeal and the instructor’s written response. The department chair will inform the student of the departmental decision in writing, with copies to the instructor and the School Dean. If the decision results in a grade change, the department chair will submit a grade change request to the Registrar’s Office with a copy of his/her response to the student attached.
- Student appeal in writing to the School Dean. If the decision of the department is not to the student’s satisfaction, the student may appeal the decision to the School Dean. This appeal must be made in writing, within ten working days of the department chair’s letter to the student. The School Dean shall investigate carefully and render a decision in writing within thirty days, which shall be final.
- Cases involving the department chair. In any case where the instructor is the department chair, another member of the department will serve in the role of the chair in these proceedings.
Pass/Fail Grades
During a college career, students may take a maximum of four courses on a Pass/Fail (P/F) basis with these conditions:
- The course cannot be used to meet a major, minor, or QuEST requirement. It must be a free elective.
- The cutoff for Pass shall be C–.
Pass/Fail grades do not carry a quality point value and are not used in the computation of semester and cumulative grade point averages.
P = Pass. Used only for a passing grade in a Pass/Fail course or when a student selects to register for a course on a Pass/Fail basis. The cutoff for pass is C–. Semester credits in which the student receives a P count toward the total required for graduation, but not toward the grade point average.
F = Failure. The grade of F is a failing grade and is included in the computation of both the semester and cumulative GPA. F applies under the following conditions:
- The student has not done passing work for the term;
- The student drops the course in the final third of the term;
- The student does not do passing work (earning a D+ or less) in a course graded on a Pass/Fail basis;
- The student fails to clear an Incomplete within the specified time frame;
- The student unofficially withdraws from a course.
Approved Pass/Fail Only Courses. The following courses may only be taken as Pass/Fail:
Approved Letter Grade Only Courses. The following courses may only be taken for a letter grade:
Auxiliary Symbols.
W = Withdrawal. During the middle third of the semester, students may withdraw from courses with a grade of W. The grade will be posted on the academic transcript but it will not affect the student’s GPA.
I = Incomplete. The grade of I is given when, for some major reason such as illness, a student has been unable to complete the prescribed course on schedule. It should be given rarely and never to accommodate the student who through carelessness or poor planning does not complete his/her work on time. For credit, an I must be removed according to the following time schedule; otherwise, an F will be recorded. Fall semester: Before opening of Spring term. All other terms: By the end of the fourth week following term.