Grading

A graduate student's performance will be evaluated by giving a letter grade as described below:

The A grade states that the student has shown excellent insight, competence, and great depth of understanding in attaining course outcomes in the aspect of the discipline under study. For graduate students in graduate level courses, this implies mastery of course content at the highest level.

The B grade states that the student has shown competence and an acceptable level of understanding in attaining course outcomes in the aspect of the discipline under study. For graduate students in graduate level courses, this implies an adequate level of achievement, although a B- grade indicates a marginally acceptable performance.

The C grade states that the student has shown marginal to unsatisfactory performance and understanding in attaining course outcomes in the aspect of the discipline under study.

The D grade indicates unsatisfactory performance and an inadequate level of understanding in attaining course outcomes. The D grade states that the student has given little to no evidence of understanding or ability in the discipline.

The X grade indicates unacceptable performance.

Student academic performance is evaluated in terms of quality points assigned to the letter grade achieved in a course. Based on the level of achievement associated with each letter grade, the corresponding quality point values range from a maximum of 4 to a minimum of 0 as follows:

Grade Point Value
A 4
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2
C- 1.7
D+ 1.3
D 1
X 0
Letter designations for which no quality points are assigned are given as follows:
I Incomplete
W Withdrew
N Un-graded
P Pass
F Fail
T Thesis Research

Incomplete Grade: A grade of I is given when an identifiable portion of the course remains unaccomplished at the end of the quarter. One additional quarter is granted to submit the delinquent work. If the “I” is not removed within the twelve weeks following the end of the term in which it was assigned, it becomes an X.

Pass/Fail Grade: Courses may be designated for P and F grading when approved by the Academic Department and the Academic Council. A student in a degree program who wishes to take courses not in his or her normal program may also elect to take them in the Pass/Fail mode. Approval must be granted by the student's cognizant Program Officer and Department Chairman. It is the responsibility of the student to exercise the P/F option by informing the instructor in writing at the time of enrollment that a P/F grade is desired. A copy of the approval request shall be forwarded to the Registrar. Students electing to receive the P/F grade in letter graded courses may not apply the hours toward the degree and curriculum requirements of any program.

Thesis Research Grade: A grade of T indicates that satisfactory progress is being made on thesis work (XX 0810), dissertation work (XX 5810), or on a project (XX 4090), but evaluation depends on completion of the research, thesis, dissertation or project, at which time the instructor, Academic Department, or Academic Council shall change the T grade to one reflecting the Pass/Fail evaluation.