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Academic performance is evaluated by letter grades that are assigned quality points.

Grade Standard Quality Points
A Excellent 4
B Good 3
C Average* 2
D Below Average* 1
F Failing 0
I Incomplete 0
NG No grade 0
P Pass 0
R Repeat 0
S Satisfactory 0
U Unsatisfactory 0
V Validation Credit 0
W Withdrawn (officially) 0
X Audit 0
T Transfer credit 0

* For graduate students: Grades of C show minimum expectations have been met and will jeopardize your good academic standing. Grades of D will not apply to graduate program requirements.

 

Grade Point Average

At the end of each semester, your grade point average is computed to indicate the general level of your academic standing. The first GPA calculated is for the semester or term, which is based only on grades from the most recently registered classes. The second is your cumulative GPA, which indicates the level for all coursework taken at the university.

If you retake a course, only the highest grade is used to calculate the cumulative GPA. The lower grade remains in your record as information only. To graduate from the undergraduates programs, you must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA, and at least a 2.0 in your degree program. Graduate students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and at least a 3.0 in their current degree program.

 

Credit

A semester credit hour is the amount of credit given for one hour per week of classroom time or two hours per week of laboratory time during a 16-week semester.

Repeating a Class

A course may be repeated in order to raise a grade. Only the higher grade is used to calculate the cumulative GPA. All grades are recorded on your transcript.

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade (I) may be given due to unavoidable and verifiable circumstances only at the end of a semester or term to those students whose work is current, up until the day of the emergency, but who have left unfinished a small amount of work - for instance, a final examination, a paper, or a term project which may be completed without further class attendance.

When a grade of incomplete (I) is assigned, the professor will specify the work necessary to complete the course and receive a grade, the deadline date for completion, and the grade to be assigned if the work is not completed by the specified date. The latest date for the deadline is the fourth week of the next term. It the student does not make the deadline the incomplete will be converted to the grade the professor specified. After six months, the VPAA must approve changes in grades.

In the event that the instructor from whom students receive an incomplete is no longer available, the disposition of students’ eventual grade resides with the appropriate department chairperson.

Incompletes need department chair approval.

No Grade Mark

When it is not appropriate to award a grade, a mark of NG will be given. NG grades are not calculated in term or cumulative GPAs.

Grade Reports

Grade reports are no longer mailed to you each semester. Grade reports and unofficial transcripts are available through myCapitol. If you want to have grades sent to any sponsors, you must complete the proper request form in the Office of Registration and Records. Federal regulations prohibit the use of phone, email or fax for official grade distribution.

Grade Appeal

If you think your posted grade is incorrect, you should first speak directly to the professor. If you and your professor cannot satisfactorily resolve the issue, you may submit a written appeal to your academic department Chair. The Chair will review the situation and may seek the advice of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs. The decision of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs is final and no further review will be granted. All appeals must be filed by the fourth week of the next term.

Grade Changes

Occasionally, errors occur and a grade must be changed. However, grade changes will not be accepted later than six months after a term has ended. If you think that a mistake has been made, you must investigate the matter as soon as possible after the grade is issued and contact the professor.

Dean's List

Dean’s List status is awarded to undergraduates one week following the completion of final grading every semester. To qualify for Dean’s List, students must:

  • Earn a minimum of 6 semester credits
  • Achieve a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Have no disqualifying grades for the semester (Incomplete, W, NG, or F) at the time of Dean’s List determination

Dean’s list designation is included on the student’s transcript.