Grading System
The grading system is as follows: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F, FA, NC, NG, I, W, XF. (A plus or minus attached to a grade indicates achievement slightly above or below the grade level as described below.)
A - Indicates work of superior quality, showing originality, constructive thinking or special ability in handling the subject.
B - Indicates work distinctly above average in quality and thoroughness and marks a maximum fulfillment of the requirements of the course.
C - Indicates a faithful and creditable fulfillment of the requirements of the course to a minimum standard.
D - Indicates barely passing work.
F - Indicates failure.
FA – An “unofficial withdrawal” (Change of Registration form not filed and student stops attending class) is not recognized and will result in the assignment of a permanent grade of FA. An FA counts as a failure in the GPA and all tuition and fees apply. If a student is unable to complete any of his/her classes and is physically unable to come to campus to file the Change of Registration, a letter or email to this effect should be sent by the student to the Registrar’s Office prior to the withdrawal deadline. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on how this impacts their aid.
NG - Indicates an allegation of academic dishonesty and only assigned as a final grade option. Students should contact the instructor of record for information.
I - Indicates incomplete work at the time the final grade is due. This grade is given only for extenuating circumstances outside of the student’s control. Incompletes are not guaranteed and may be granted upon request at the sole discretion of the instructor on a case-by-case basis. It is not given for work that is below passing or for failure to submit work on time through negligence. Students must complete the coursework within 30 calendar days of the end of the semester in which they earn the incomplete. An “I” will be removed upon completion of the work specified by the instructor. All Incompletes must be reported to the Registrar’s Office no later than the day on which final grades are due for the first regular semester following the assignment of the incomplete. Failure to resolve the incomplete by the specified time will result in computing the grade of the work not completed as an F.
W - Indicates withdrawal from class. This grade does not count in computing the grade point average and will not be accepted by the Registrar after 5 p.m. on the seventh-class day after publication of mid-semester grades.
XF – Indicates an Administrative Withdrawal (not initiated by the student) may be initiated by the College to remove a student from a class (or classes) in which he/she is registered. This action may be taken when a student has failed to follow the procedures, regulations or requirements of the College or when the student has gained registration in a particular class or classes by misrepresentation. This can also occur when a student fails to attend classes and doesn't withdraw on his/her own.
The awarding and receipt of any financial aid may be negatively impacted by this non-attendance. If a recipient of Title IV funds withdraws or stops attending courses (including academic dismissal or expulsion) after beginning attendance for any reason, he/she may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds. This may result in debt owed to the University by the student
Grade Reports
Final grades are available online in the Bulldog Dashboard to students and advisors. Mid-semester grades are also available online. Students with a financial hold on their account will not be able to view posted grades.
Grade Change Policy
Any grade change, other than makeup of an “I” (Incomplete), must be made within 30 calendar days of the first day of classes in the next regular semester. A grade change must be reported in writing by the instructor. All grade changes are subject to review by the Academic Status Review Committee.
Dealing with Problems-Student Complaint Process
- When a “W” does not appear for a withdrawn course on a transcript, students should contact the Registrar’s Office.
- When an added course does not appear on the student’s schedule, they should contact the Registrar’s Office.
- When there is an error in the grade point average or credit hours, students should contact the Registrar’s Office.
- When “NG” is awarded for suspicion of academic dishonesty students should contact the professor who awarded the mark.
Grade Change Policy
Any grade change, other than makeup of an “I” (Incomplete), must be made within 30 calendar days of the first day of classes in the next regular semester. A grade change must be reported in writing by the instructor. All grade changes are subject to review by the Academic Status Review Committee.
Grade Appeal Policy
Grade Appeal Policy Students have 30 days after final grades are posted to submit an appeal for a final grade to an instructor. Appeals submitted after the 30 days may not be reviewed. Students must provide supporting documentation when disputing a grade. This documentation should clearly demonstrate a valid reason for a grade change, such as a miscalculation, an assignment graded in error, or a deviation from stated syllabus policies that affected the final grade. Grade appeals must be based on factual evidence, not personal disagreement or dissatisfaction Students are required to follow the process below - The Academic Affair’s Office will not review a grade appeal until this procedure has been followed:
a. Email the instructor and request a review of your final grade.
b. If a resolution is not achieved with the instructor, the student should send their appeal to the department chair.
c. If a resolution is still not reached after speaking with the department chair, undergraduate students may contact the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies; graduate students may contact the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Students should expect to prove to the Assistant Dean or Dean of Graduate Studies that they reached out to the instructor no later than 30 days after final grades are posted.
If a grade change is warranted, it must be reported in writing by the instructor to the Registrar. The assignment of grades is the sole responsibility and prerogative of the instructor and will not be changed by chairpersons, Deans, the Registrar, or the Academic Status Review Committee.
Repeating Courses
A student may repeat any course where the grade of C-, D+, D, D-, or F is earned. The course may be repeated one time. When a course is repeated, both grades will remain on a student's official transcript and will be calculated in the semester and cumulative GPA calculation. Students who want only the better grade to be used in the GPA calculation must submit the "Repeat Grade Form" to the Registrar's Office. Students must turn in this form no later than 30 days into the semester immediately after the repeated course was taken. The grades of all courses attempted will remain on a student's official transcript and used in the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) calculation. Grades of I, W, NG or NC do not replace an earlier grade.
If a "Repeat Grade Form" is not turned into the Registrar's Office prior to the 30 day deadline, the student may appeal for a grade forgiveness to the Vice President/Dean of Academic Affairs.
Important notes: The Course Repeat Policy will go into effect Fall 2024. This policy does not impact course retakes prior to the Fall 2024 semester. Many undergraduate secondary admission programs and post-graduate professional programs routinely recalculate students' undergraduate GPAs to include repeated coursework. The inclusion of repeated grades may lower your overall GPA when applying to such programs. Students should consult with prospective programs regarding their policies before applying.