Dec 21, 2024  
2012-2013 University Catalog 
    
2012-2013 University Catalog [Archived Catalogue]

Grading Policies


Policies 
Change of Grade     Computing the Grade Point Average     Grading System     Incomplete Courses     Repeating Courses     Thesis Grading
 


 

Change of Grade

A request for a change of grade is a form of an academic grievance. The full text of the Academic Grievance policy can be found in the Academic Standards section of this Catalog . Please note that a student may request the assistance of any staff member of the University at any stage of the grievance process.

Students seeking a change of grade must submit a written request for a change of grade to the instructor no later than the end of the seventh week of the semester following the one in which the grade was given. Requests for a change of grade for graduating students must be submitted no later than three days after the last grades required to fulfill the degree requirements are posted.

Students and instructors are reminded that an instructor may change a grade only if an error occurred in computing or recording the final grade, or if re-evaluation of previously submitted work is warranted. Extra work, beyond that required of other class members during the period when the class met, or work handed in after the completion of the course, may not be offered as reasons for a grade change.

Any change of a final grade should be made by the course instructor, who should submit the signed Change of Grade form, including the signature of the appropriate dean, to the Office of the Registrar no later than the end of the semester following the one in which the grade was given.

Computing the Grade Point Average

The GPA is computed by multiplying the number of credits earned for a course by the numerical value of the grade. The resulting figures from all courses for that semester are then totaled, and this figure is divided by the total number of credits attempted that semester. The grades of I, IP, NC, W, OP, OF, P, and AU are not entered in this computation.

Grading System

A
4.00   B-
2.67   D+
1.33
A-
3.67   C+
2.33   D
1.00
B+
3.33   C
2.00   F
0.00
B
3.00   C-
1.67      

Grades excluded from GPA calculations

AU
Audit
I
Incomplete
IP
In Progress (Graduate thesis only)
NC
No Credit
OP
Optional Pass (Grade of C or better)
OF
Optional Fail (Grade less than C)
P
Pass
T
Transfer Credit
W
Withdrawal
X
Credit by Examination
Z
Preliminary

 

Incomplete Courses

An incomplete grade may be granted only in extraordinary circumstances, either personal or academic, that prevent the student from completing coursework by the end of the semester. An incomplete grade is given only when the completed portion of the student’s coursework is of a passing quality. To receive the grade of incomplete, the student must obtain approval on the Incomplete Form from the course instructor, their program director, the Dean of the Student’s College, and the Dean of Liberal Arts (if a Liberal Arts course) prior to the conclusion of the semester.

Incomplete grades not cleared by the end of the sixth week of the following semester will be automatically assigned the grade of F.

Students should review policies regarding the impact of Incomplete grades on Academic Censure in the Academic Standards  page.

Repeating Courses

When a course is repeated, the original grade will remain on the transcript, but will be removed from the calculation of the grade point average. The most recent grade will enter into the calculation of the grade point average - even if it is lower than the grade originally earned. A grade for a course taken at the University of the Arts may not be replaced by a grade from a course taken at another institution. Only credit is transferred from courses at other institutions, not the grades earned in those courses. A successfully completed course can be applied to graduation requirements only once, no matter how many times it may be taken and passed.

This policy does not apply to courses that are designated as “repeatable for credit.” All grades for such courses will be calculated in the grade point average, with each successful attempt being applied to graduation requirements.

Students who earn an F grade or a grade below the minimum required by their program, are strongly advised to repeat the same course during the next term in which it is offered. A student will be allowed to enroll in a course for a second time without conditions, regardless of the grade earned in the course previously. A student will not be allowed to re-enroll for a course for a third time without written permission of the appropriate College Dean.

This policy applies to courses taken Fall 2010 and forward.

Thesis Grading

The grade of In Progress “IP” signifies that the student is making satisfactory progress toward completing the graduate thesis. This grade will apply only to graduate thesis courses where the student’s thesis is still in progress.

The IP grade is available for the following courses only:

An IP grade acknowledges the fact that the final course product (thesis) may require some period of time past the semester of registration to complete. The IP grade will remain on the student’s record until a final thesis grade is submitted by the instructor. In some cases, a student will be registered for thesis courses as a sequence (e.g., MSEM 781). When the final grade is submitted by the instructor, it will replace the IP grade. The IP grade is not computed in the grade point average.

To remain in good standing while the thesis is “in progress,” the student must register for the thesis continuation fee for each semester he or she is not enrolled in coursework. For more information refer to the Thesis and Graduate Project Continuation Fee section located on the Enrollment and Registration  page.