Grades

You can earn course credit by achieving qualifying scores on tests approved for EM credit. You can also earn credit through exams offered through the Testing Center (585 Student Academic Services Building) or the academic department offering a particular course. Students may also arrange with departments and faculty members to test for credit in courses that are not listed in the EM brochure, if the department thinks it appropriate. The department that offers the credit determines the score you will need to to earn credit for a course. Make sure you understand, going into the exam, the minimum score you will need.

See the Examination Credit website for detailed information about credit by exam and how to register.

If illness or an emergency prevents you from finishing a course, you may request an "Incomplete" from the instructor. If the instructor agrees, you should arrange to complete the course requirements no later than the sixth week of the following term - sooner, if the instructor will need it sooner. If the work is not made up by the due date, the "I" mark will be changed to an alternate grade that the instructor reported at the time the "I" was assigned.

You can take up to 20 credit hours of electives using the pass/non-pass (PA/NP) grading option. In courses graded PA/NP, you will earn credit hours for a mark of PA, no credit for a mark of NP. Neither mark is included in your GPA. See your advisor in early in the semester to discuss whether this is an appropriate option for you.

* In the Spring and Autumn of 2020, the university approved the use of Pass/Non-Pass as a response to the global health crisis.

This emergency grade scheme was createded in Spring 2021, to recognize when exceptional circumstances may negatively affect students' academic performance (such as a global health crisis or natural disaster). When the PE grade scheme is activated, D+ or D grades will automatically change to PE for undergraduate students, and E will be automatically changed to NP. PE and NP marks do not impact your GPA, but you will still earn credit hours for PE marks (no credit hours are earned for NP).

You can audit a course to refresh your understanding of the material (in a course you have already taken) or to learn more about a subject without earning a letter grade. Fees are assessed for auditing a course, but no credit hours are earned. Auditing a course requires the permission of the instructor and the permission of your college, through your academic advisor. You may not audit a course and then repeat it for credit.

• Since you will not earn credit for an audit, the hours do not count toward eligibility for financial aid.

This is a grading basis chosen by the department teaching the course, not a grading option. (Pass/Non-Pass is a grading option that the student selects and is available on courses normally graded A - E.) In courses with an S/U grading basis, you will earn credit hours for a mark of S, no credit for a mark of U. Neither mark will be counted in your GPA.

Courses dropped after the deadline for "Dropping without a W" (typically the 4th Friday of a full semester) will receive a mark of W. If you are planning on dropping a course, be aware the date for dropping without a W.

• A W is not calculated into your GPA; it simply indicates that you remained in the course beyond the deadline before you decided to drop it
• Too many Ws on your record will affect your satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for financial aid
• Graduate programs might consider a pattern of repeated Ws in their admissions decision