Graduate Studies Grading System
Graduate courses are graded in an alphabetical system with the following interpretation:
| Grade | Description | per Credit |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 | |
| B+ | 3.33 | |
| B | Good performance | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 | |
| C+ | 2.33 | |
| C | Passing, but below expected performance | 2.00 |
| D+ | 1.33 | |
| D | Unsatisfactory performance | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.67 | |
| F | Failing | 0.00 |
| IN | Incomplete | |
| S | Satisfactory | |
| IP | In progress | |
| U | Unsatisfactory | |
| W | Withdrawal | |
| WN | Withdrawal for nonpayment | |
| NC | No credit |
Students may apply no more than six semester hours of work with a grade of C/C+ toward graduation requirements. Only grades of A through C, and S fulfill graduation requirements for graduate programs.
Graduate Studies Academic Standing
The cumulative graduate GPA will be determined from all approved coursework attempted at the 500 level or above. Coursework must be approved by the student’s graduate program coordinator or director. To remain in good academic standing, a student’s graduate GPA must remain at 3.000 or better. If the graduate GPA falls below 3.000, a graduate student will be placed on probation. Students have one semester to show progress toward good standing as measured by increasing the graduate GPA from the previous semester. Probationary students will be dismissed whenever progress toward good standing is not achieved; after a probationary student has accrued 15 credits; or whenever the graduate GPA falls below 2.500. Graduate students may repeat a maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit. When a course is repeated, both the subsequent grade and the original grade are included in the graduate grade point average.
In addition, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or better in all courses attempted after achieving graduate status. If a student is in the degree plus program or admitted conditionally, all required leveling courses must be completed at a minimum GPA of 3.000. Graduate program directors/coordinators will notify the Director of Admissions if and when there is a change in academic standing for a graduate student based upon required leveling courses for a conditionally admitted student.
A student may appeal dismissal by submitting a written petition to his/her program director/coordinator. This petition must provide a justification for continued registration. The program director/coordinator will forward a recommendation through the appropriate college dean, and the Office of the Provost. The Provost or his/her designee will make a final decision on the appeal and inform the student of that decision. Decisions by the Provost are final.