Graduate Grading Policies

Grades given for credit-bearing classes are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C- and F (for failing work). No Ds are awarded for graduate work. Students may not take required courses pass (P)/no-pass (N), except for their 590 (capstone/thesis) course.

All 590 registrations are taken on a pass (P)/no-pass (N) basis. A grade of K ('in-progress') is given by the instructor while the project is in progress, and is later changed to a P ('Pass') when work is satisfactorily completed. A one-time only registration for 590 is allowed.

Visiting Scholars receive grades of S ('Satisfactory') or U ('Unsatisfactory'). A 'Satisfactory' grade indicates that the student has participated in a manner appropriate for a visitor to a class. Visiting Scholars must receive a mark of 'Satisfactory' in order to be allowed to register for additional courses.

Each faculty member sets his/her own guidelines for how attendance and participation are graded. In general, however, students are expected to commit the time and effort to attend all class meetings. If you are likely to miss classes for any reason, you should not register for the course as it may not be possible for you to earn a passing grade. The faculty member may, at his or her discretion and in keeping with the course syllabus, lower your final grade due to any absences.

Grades may not be changed except in cases of errors in calculating grades. If a student has not yet turned in all the required work, only a grade of Y (incomplete) or F may be given and later changed. It is inappropriate for students to ask an instructor to change a grade for reasons of financial reimbursement, reassessment of coursework, or any other reason. Please let SCS know immediately if you are pressured in any way to alter a grade.

Granting of Incompletes

In rare circumstances, students may be granted a grade of incomplete, which is designated with a grade of "Y." Students must get advance permission from you to receive a grade of incomplete.

Before you grant an incomplete, discuss the situation with the student to determine whether an incomplete grade is appropriate. Incompletes should not be routinely granted to allow more time to improve a grade, but may be given when a student's circumstances change and he/she is prevented from finishing a large portion of work. Students do not need to petition SCS for incompletes.

When you grant an incomplete, you determine the amount of time the student has to finish the work, which must not exceed the official time of one year determined by the university. All incomplete work must be turned in within one calendar year, regardless of registration status during that year.

Students are not allowed to have more than one outstanding incomplete at any given time. Before granting an incomplete, you must notify the academic coordinator for your program, that the student's status can be checked.