Grades
Faculty are encouraged to utilize the plus/minus grading system; however, its use is not required. Check your course syllabi for the professors' grading systems. A GPA of at least 3.00, equivalent to a B average, is required of all graduate students in all graduate programs.
Plus/Minus Grading System:
| GRADE | QUALITY POINTS |
|---|---|
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.00 |
| F | 0.00 |
| N | No Grade Reported - Research Work In Progress |
The grade point average (GPA) is computed by multiplying the number of semester hours specified for each course by the quality points attained in that course, adding the total of these results and dividing this total by the total number of semester hours attempted.
The temporary grade of I (for incomplete) may be assigned by the professor if a student has not completed the work of the course, either because of illness or for other reasons that the professor considers acceptable. (The professor may, however, submit a course grade on the basis of work that has been completed.) The student must arrange to complete the work necessary to remove the grade of I within one calendar year of receiving it. If it is not removed within that period, the grade of I automatically becomes a grade of I-F, which cannot be removed from the graduate student's transcript unless the course is repeated for credit. The student must register and pay for the repeated course. If the grade of I is on a student’s record in the semester or summer session when that student intends to graduate, it becomes an I-F immediately before graduation–possibly adversely affecting graduation. The department reserves the right not to permit a student to continue in a sequence of courses if the student has an incomplete grade in a prerequisite.
If a graduate student has enrolled for the master's thesis, research paper or research project, the grade of N will remain on the transcript until the thesis, paper or project is completed. A student cannot graduate with an N grade on the transcript.
The grade of P is awarded in certain courses to indicate the performance of satisfactory work in situations, such as some kinds of internships, in which it would not be appropriate to assign letter grades. The grade of P carries no quality points, and, although the course is credited toward completion of a program or degree, the credits are not used to compute the GPA. If satisfactory work is not performed in such a course, the grade of F is awarded, and it is computed into the GPA. The University does not allow graduate students a "pass/fail option" in courses in which letter grades are awarded.