Grades and Grade-Point Average
A graduate student must maintain a 3.00 average or better in all graduate work attempted with no more than two grades of C. A grade below C is not acceptable in the graduate program and will not earn credit on the student’s degree plan.
Grade-Point Calculations
| Grade | Description | Grade Points per Semester Hour |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 4 |
| B | Good | 3 |
| C | Average | 2 |
| D | Below Average | 1 |
| F | Failure | 0 |
| P | Passed | GPA Neutral |
| NP | No Pass | GPA Neutral |
| S | Satisfactory | GPA Neutral (zero-level courses only) |
| U | Unsatisfactory | GPA Neutral |
Other Grade Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I | Incomplete. May be used at the instructor’s discretion when a student has satisfactorily completed a substantial portion of the coursework but is unable to finish due to extenuating circumstances. The “I” becomes permanent within one year of its posting. GPA neutral. See the Request for Incomplete (I) Grade form. |
| AU | Audit. For students not seeking a grade but enrolled to gain course information. Requires departmental permission. Enrollment status may be changed to or from audit within the first ten class days of a regular semester or first five days of summer. GPA neutral. |
| N | Grade not submitted by the instructor by the appropriate deadline. Must be replaced by the appropriate letter grade prior to the end of the subsequent semester. GPA neutral. |
| W | Withdrawal. Withdrawals during the first two weeks of a regular semester or the first week of a condensed term are not recorded on the transcript. A “W” is recorded for withdrawals occurring during weeks three through twelve of a regular semester or weeks two through six of a condensed term. No withdrawals permitted during the last two weeks of the term. GPA neutral. |
| AW | Administrative Withdrawal. Assigned by the Office of Academic Affairs for involuntary withdrawal due to disciplinary or financial reasons or inadequate attendance. GPA neutral. |
| X | Thesis or dissertation in progress. Will be replaced by the appropriate grade upon completion. GPA neutral. |
Appeal of an Assigned Grade
The Graduate Council acts upon appeals received in writing from students who seek to have grades or records altered. The decision of the Graduate Council is final. The procedure for submitting a grade appeal is as follows:
- Complete the Application for Graduate Appeal located in Self-Service.
- Submit the requested information, a letter addressing the Council explaining the reason for the appeal and the desired outcome, and any other supporting documents.
- After the application is received, the student will receive correspondence via email of the next available Graduate Council meeting date.
- The student may address the Council during the virtual meeting or have their files reviewed via an online vote.
- The decision of the Graduate Council will be submitted to the student by email. All Graduate Council decisions are final.
Thesis and Research Project
A thesis or research project option may be undertaken at the recommendation of an academic department in a master’s or doctoral program. There is no thesis option in the Master of Business Administration program. Guidelines for preparation, qualifying for, and completion of the thesis or research project may be obtained from the program-specific coordinator and/or appropriate degree program handbook.