Grading Policies

Grading System

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley uses a 4.0 system. The following grades are used to designate achievement in coursework. Their corresponding grade values and points for students in graduate programs are indicated below.

Total Grade Point Average (Replacing Native GPA)

The total grade point average (GPA) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is calculated on the basis of courses taken at the university and excludes transferred grades. Coursework transferred from the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College for students enrolled at UTRGV prior to Fall 2017 will be included in the calculation of the Institutional GPA.

Calculation of Graduate Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the total semester hours attempted. The Cumulative Grade Point Average is calculated using total coursework attempted. The current semester grade point average is calculated using only coursework attempted within a specific semester. Replacement of grades for courses previously taken is not allowed in the Graduate College. Attempted hours are the total number of hours for courses that a student has attempted including failing grades such as F, DR and W. Grade points are assigned based on the grade received multiplied by the number of credit hours. For example, a grade of A is equivalent to four grade points. If the course was offered for three credit hours, the grade points would be calculated as follows:

• 4 (for grade of A) X 3 (hours) = 12 grade points

An illustration of the method of calculation of the GPA follows:

TOTAL ATTEMPTED HOURS = 9 TOTAL GRADE POINTS = 33

To calculate the GPA for this example, divide the grade points by the attempted hours as follows:

• 33 divided by 9 = 3.66

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete (I) grade is a temporary grade given only during the last one-fourth of a term/ semester and only if:

1. The student is passing the course to date;
2. The student will not have completed the required coursework within the allotted time of a regular semester or summer session; and
3. The instructor determines that the reason for the work being incomplete is valid and that the grade of “I” is justified.

A written agreement between the student and the instructor specifying the work to be made up and the deadline for its accomplishment must be filed in the office of the Department Chair at the time that the “I” is submitted. The work agreed upon must be satisfactorily completed and the “I” changed no later than the end of the next regular (Fall or Spring) semester from the date the “I” was received (unless an extension is requested by the instructor) or the grade will automatically be recorded as the grade alternatively assigned by the faculty at the time of submitting the written agreement.

The Office of the Registrar must receive the complete Request for Grade of Incomplete Form with all required signatures by the published deadline for faculty to enter grades, or an NR grade will be entered.

Grade Change

If an error in computation, evaluation or recording warrants a grade change, only the instructor may process a Change of Grade Form through the Office of the Dean of his or her college. If the grade change is made after graduation for a course taken prior to graduation, the change request form must have written justification by the instructor and the approval of the college dean. Change of Grade Forms may not be released to students and must be sent directly from the appropriate academic department to the Dean of the College, then to the Office of the Registrar. A student may access his or her grades by using ASSIST.