Grading Policy

Instructors are permitted to determine their grading procedures. These are stated in each course syllabus and distributed to students at the beginning of each semester.

Course grades are assigned on a numerical quality-point basis, with 1.0 as the minimum passing quality point in each subject. Grades are to be interpreted according to the following scale:

A - 4.0 quality points, indicates not only high achievement but also an unusual degree of intellectual initiative.
B - 3.0 quality points, well above average.
C - 2.0 quality points, the normal attainment for the average student.
D - 1.0 quality point, passing but showing deficiency in either ability or application. Students who receive a grade of D in ENG 101, ENG 102, or MAT 105 must repeat the course and attain a grade of C. Students who receive a grade of D in a required course in their field of concentration must repeat the course and attain a grade of C.
P - 0.0 quality points, indicates passing.
AU - Audit (audited courses cannot be converted to credit courses.)

Students who earn credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Proficiency Examination Program (PEP), Advanced Placement (AP), departmental examinations, or the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement Program receive the grade of P. This grade is not computed in the student’s average, carries no quality points, and cannot be translated to the grade of A, B, C, or D.

The following acronyms are used in the official recording of a student’s lack of academic achievement:

F - Failure, unacceptable work.
FN - Failure due to excessive absences. This grade is calculated in the student’s GPA in the same manner as an F.

Note: the FN is given to 1) students who never attended class but did not withdraw, or 2) students who stopped attending before the withdrawal deadline but did not withdraw. Students who stop attending after the withdrawal deadline and do not complete their course requirements receive an F not an FN.

I - Incomplete. A student may request a grade of I, based on serious and compelling reasons why the student should be allowed more time to complete the course requirements. It is the faculty member’s decision whether or not to award it, The student must have attended at least 67% of the course. There must be a reasonable likelihood that the student will successfully complete the courses requirements within the extended time allowed. The student must have passed the portion of the course completed to be eligible for an I grade. Normally, any course for which a student receives an I grade must be completed and the grade recorded within ten (10) weeks from the end of the semester in which the course was taken. After that time, a grade of F is issued in the course. A student who, because of medical or other serious factors, cannot complete the coursework with ten weeks will be withdrawn from the course and must repeat it. However, due to interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline for completion of I grades received in Spring and Summer 2020 courses has been extended to December 11, 2020.
W - Authorized withdrawal within a specified time.
WAD - Withdrawal by administrative action.
WF - Withdrawn Failing
WM - Authorized withdrawal from the University for the student’s medical reasons. The medical reasons must relate specifically to the student. Medical emergencies related to others do not qualify a student for consideration to receive the grade WM. The request for a medical withdrawal must be made within the semester of the medical emergency. If, during the term in question, the student’s course or courses are finished within the term’s calendar dates before he or she requests a Medical Withdrawal, those courses are considered completed and an appropriate final grade other than WM is awarded. The WM grade can be assigned only by the Chief Academic Officer after proper documentation is received from the student’s physician.