Grades and the Grading System Policy

Applies to: Pittsburg State University students.

Policy:

A. Awarding Grades

Grades are earned by students and awarded by faculty. Grade changes can only be made by the instructor with the approval of the department chairperson and the dean of the college.

B. The Grading System

The Pittsburg State University grading system includes the following grades: “A”, "AU", “B”, “C”, “D”, “P”, “F”, “XF”, “IN”, “IP”, “W”, "WX" and “NC”.

• A -- Excellent achievement, credit given, four grade points per semester hour.
  
  
• AU -- Audit must be approved by instructor prior to beginning of class with application process. Zero credit, zero grade points. Grades are not computed into the GPA.
  
  
• B -- Above average achievement, credit given, three grade points per semester hour.
  
  
• C -- Average achievement, credit given, two grade points per semester hour.
  
  
• D -- Below average achievement, credit given, one grade point per semester hour.
  
  
• P -- Passing work (equivalent to “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” achievement), credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not used in the computation of the grade point average.
  
  
• F -- Failing work, zero credit given, this grade is given at the end of the semester or if the student withdraws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is doing failing work. Zero grade points given per semester hour. Counted as a course attempted. Included in computation of grade point average.
  
  
• XF -- Indicates the “F” was the result of academic dishonesty. Zero grade points given per semester hour. Counted as a course attempted. Included in computation of grade point average.
  
  
• IN -- Incomplete grade is to be utilized in rare instances when a student is unable to complete a course due to circumstances beyond his/her control. The student must have successfully completed most of the course work to be eligible. The instructor must state clearly in writing what is needed to successfully complete the course. This information will be provided via GUS Classic to both the student and the department chairperson. The plan cannot require the student to repeat the course as an option for removing an “IN” grade. Instructor must provide the grade the student would earn if no additional work were completed by entering a grade of “IB” “IC” “ID” “IF”, calculating the missing work as zero grades. The second letter supplies the default grade that will replace the “IN” grade at the end of one full subsequent fall or spring semester if no additional work is completed. Instructor permission may extend the semester deadline is up to one year beyond the initial deadline. If the student opts to graduate prior to the allowed deadline for removal of an incomplete, the default grade will be recorded, and the student may not complete the work to achieve a higher final grade after graduation.
  
  
• IP -- In Progress, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. Temporarily recorded as a grade when a student is enrolled in a course that requires the student to engage in projects that extend past the end of the semester. The “IP” signifies that the faculty member acknowledges the student is enrolled in a long-term project and that the project is not yet complete. Credit is postponed and the course is not included in the student’s grade point average. An In Progress course must be satisfactorily completed within one year from the date the “IP” was given. An In Progress not removed within one year shall be regarded as a failure and the “IP” grade will be changed to “F” and included in the computation of the student’s GPA. Courses to be established for the use of the “IP” grade must be legislated through department/college curriculum committees and the Faculty Senate/Graduate Council. Courses can be legislated to be excluded from the one-year regulation of changing to “F” if the course is not completed.
  
  
• W -- Withdrawal, zero credit, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not computed in the grade point average. This grade is given under two conditions: 1) when a student withdraws from a course prior to the end of the eleventh week; 2) when a student withdraws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is passing.
  
  
• WX -- Administrative Withdraw. A grade of WX is recorded for Administrative Withdrawals from the eleventh day of class and beyond. Proportionate deadlines apply to summer sessions and less than full term courses. The grade of WX is not computed in the grade point average and therefore involves no academic penalty. The Registrar must authorize the recording of this grade based on documentation provided.
  
  
• NC -- No Credit, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. No credit given (does not necessarily imply failure).

C. Grade Point Average

Earned grade points are computed by multiplying the point value of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “F” and “XF” grades earned by the number of credit hours of the course(s) in which the student was enrolled. (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0, XF=0). Grade Point Average is computed by dividing total grade points by total credit hours. Grades of “P” earned in "Pass-Fail" courses are not used in the computation of the GPA.

When a student repeats a course, only the last grade earned is computed in the student's GPA. Grades earned on the first attempt will continue to appear on the transcript but will be marked as a repeat and will not be calculated in the GPA. Grades of “P” earned in "Pass-Fail" courses are not used in the computation of the GPA. Grades of “F” earned in a "Pass-Fail" course are used in the computation of the GPA.

Grades of “IN”, "IP", “NC”, “W” and "WX" are not used in the computation of the GPA.

D. Mid-Semester Report of D and F Grades

After the eighth week of the fall and spring semester, mid-semester “D” and “F” grades submitted by faculty are reported by the Office of the Registrar to the dean of the college in which the student is completing a major. All “D” and “F” grades submitted by faculty will be reported by the Registrar to the student and the student's academic advisor through GUS Classic. No mid-semester report of “D” and “F” grades are distributed for the summer session.

E. Final Grade Report

Final grades are reported to the Registrar’s Office at the conclusion of the course. Students may access their grades via GUS Classic on their on-line transcript immediately upon grade posting.

F. Repeated Courses

Grades earned on the final attempt will be used in computing the GPA. Grades earned on all previous attempts will continue to appear on the transcript but will be marked as repeated and will not be calculated in the GPA. Students may not repeat a course failed in resident study via credit by exam.