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Summer 2020 Grading Information

Student Information

The Provost has extended the Spring 2020 Credit Satisfactory/Credit Deficiency/No Credit and Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading option into the regular and special Summer 2020 terms.

Undergraduate students may apply for credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit (CS/CD/NC)” grading and graduate students may apply for "satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U)" grading on eligible courses by the deadlines promulgated on the academic calendar.

Students who wish to retain a letter grade for a course in which they are currently enrolled need not take any further action.

Process for Requesting CS/CD/NC or S/U Grading Option:

The following process is required to submit a request for a credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade this semester.

The student will:

  • Review the list of factors and frequently asked questions to consider, below, before applying to change your grading option to CS/CD/NC (undergraduate) or S/U (graduate). The factors are also enumerated on a “Request for CS/CD/NC or S/U Grading Option Form” that students must submit.  Students must confirm that they have considered these factors before applying for an alternate grading mode.
  • Contact his/her advisor or Dean's Office (undergraduate) or program director (graduate) to discuss if taking a course(s) with a CS/CD/NC or S/U grading mode, respectively, is the best choice given individual circumstances.
  • Contact any other pertinent individuals who may help guide their decision-making process, such as the Office of Financial Aid, their pre-health or pre-law advisor, or their employer.
  • Carefully think through this grading option before submitting the request form, as the University cannot anticipate all future unintended consequences of your CS/CD/NC or S/U grading selection.
  • Prepare a list of course subjects, course numbers and course “CRNs” for which the student plans to seek an alternate grading mode (i.e. ACC252, crn 31624 and T/RS122, crn 31391). This list will be needed to complete the request form, which can accommodate multiple requested courses.  Only one form per part-of-term is permitted.
  • By no later than the deadlines listed on the academic calendar (also noted in the tabs below), file a "Request for CS/CD/NC or S/U Grading Option for Summer 2020/Special Summer Form."  Please submit the form only after making your final decision.  Once submitted, your selections cannot be changed.
  • Once chosen, the Credit Satisfactory/Credit Deficiency/No Credit or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading option cannot be reversed in anticipation of a high letter grade; conversely, the likelihood of a lower grade is not grounds for a belated request for Credit Satisfactory/Credit Deficiency/No Credit or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade.

The Dean's Office will:

  • Review the Request for CS/CD/NC or S/U Grading Option Form and render a final decision on the student’s request.
  • Contact the student if a request is denied.
  • Forward the appropriate information to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services for processing.

The Office of the Registrar and Academic Services will:

  • Ensure that student records are updated to reflect approved change of grade mode requests.
  • Email each student a confirmation once the request has been processed.

Please contact your advisor, Dean's Office or Office of the Registrar and Academic Services should you have any questions.

Grading Factors to Consider

Factors to consider before electing Credit Satisfactory/Credit Deficiency/No Credit or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading: 

  • Credit Satisfactory, Credit Deficiency, and Satisfactory grades count toward the accumulated credit hours for the degree, but they are not included in a student's grade point average calculation. 
  • If you are repeating a course and choose the CS/CD/NS or S/U grading option, the CS/CD/NC or S/U will replace the former grade earned. 
  • Graduate/professional schools such as medical, dental, law and doctoral programs typically do not accept courses graded on the Credit Satisfactory/Credit Deficiency/No Credit or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading scale. Please consult with your pre-health, pre-law or graduate program director. 
  • Students who receive Veterans benefits may not be able to elect Credit Satisfactory/Credit Deficiency/No Credit or Satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading. Please consult your benefits coordinator. 
  • The Financial Aid Office should be consulted if there are concerns with making satisfactory academic progress or if merit scholarship(s) require a minimum GPA or graded credit hours.
  • Students who receive employer reimbursement for completed coursework should consult with their employer about permissible grades. 
  • A course taken with a Credit Satisfactory/Credit Deficiency/No Credit or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade will likely be ineligible to transfer to another institution.  
  • Once chosen, the Credit Satisfactory/Credit Deficiency/No Credit or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading option cannot be reversed in anticipation of a high letter grade; conversely, the likelihood of a lower grade is not grounds for a belated request for Credit Satisfactory/Credit Deficiency/No Credit or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade. Students retain the right to appeal a grade through the existing Change of Grade procedure after submission of final grades.

Grading FAQ's

How will Summer 2020 classes be graded? 
Why are you offering these grading options? 
Are all courses in the Summer 2020 regular term eligible for a change in grading? 
Do I have to elect a different grading scale for my courses? 
What is the deadline to decide on an alternate grading scale? 
How do I request a change in grading scale for a course? 
What factors should I consider when deciding whether or not to change my grading scale for a course? 
Will I hear whether or not my request for "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grading is approved? 
Will I receive academic credit for a course taken in the "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grading mode? 
What constitutes passing? 
Can I  declare more than one course "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory"? 
If an undergraduate course in a future term requires a C or better as a prerequisite, will a grade of CS (credit satisfactory) satisfy the C or better requirement? 
How will "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grading impact my grade point average (GPA)?
Can I change the grade mode for a completed course? 
Can I change my mind once I've chosen the "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grading option? 
What is the Change of Grade Procedure?                                                                                                                             

Q: How will Summer 2020 classes be graded?                                                                          Back to Top

 A: Faculty will continue current grading practices in their courses. Beginning on  however, undergraduate students may elect to change their grading mode from traditional letter grades to the "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" grading scale. Graduate students may elect to change their grading mode from traditional letter grades to the "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grading scale.

Q: Why are you offering these grading options?                                                                        Back to Top

 A: We are offering students registered in the regular and special Summer 2020 terms these grading options in response to current national circumstances. As courses will be conducted via remote instruction, we want to acknowledge the uncertainties of grading for both students and faculty within this environment.  We believe this grading option will provide flexibility to those who need it. 

Q: Are all courses in the Summer 2020 regular and special terms eligible for a change in grading? Back to Top

 A: No. Not all courses are eligible for this change in grading scale. Faculty and Deans have determined which courses are not eligible for these grading options due to accreditation concerns or other long-term issues that may not be in the best interest of students. A list of eligible and ineligible courses can be found here. 

Q: Do I have to elect a different grading scale for my courses?                                                  Back to Top

 A: No. Students who wish to retain a letter grade for a course need not take any further action. 

Q: What is the deadline to decide on an alternate grading scale?                                             Back to Top

 A: Students may request a change in grading scale by the deadlines published in the academic calendar. 

Q: How do I request a change in grading scale for a course?                                                     Back to Top

 A: Students must apply for the credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading mode. To begin the process, students will complete a request form that should be forwarded to the student's home Dean, who will take further action on their application. Students will be contacted by their Dean's Office in the event a request is disapproved.   The Office of the Registrar and Academic Services will email each student a confirmation once the approved request has been processed.  

Q: What factors should I consider when deciding whether or not to change my grading scale for a course?                                                                                                                                                                         Back to Top 

A: There are many considerations, as noted below. If you have any concerns, we encourage you to speak to your academic advisor, program director or Dean. Considerations: 

  • Graduate/professional schools such as medical, dental, law and doctoral programs typically do not accept courses graded on the credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading scale. Please consult your pre-health advisor, pre-law advisor or graduate program director. 
  • If you are repeating a course, and choose the CS/CD/NC or S/U  grading option, the CS/CD/NC or S/U grade will replace the former grade earned.
  • Students who receive Veterans benefits may not be able to elect credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading. Please contact your benefits coordinator. 
  • Students in the ROTC program should consult with their program director before electing credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading.
  • The Financial Aid Office should be consulted if there are concerns with making satisfactory academic progress or if merit scholarship(s) require a minimum GPA or grading credit hours. 
  • Student who receive employer reimbursement for completed coursework should consult with their employer about permissible grades. 
  • A course taken with a credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade will likely be ineligible to transfer to another institution. 
  • High School dual-enrollment students may not be allowed to apply courses graded on the credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit grading scale to their high school program

Q: Will I hear whether or not my request for "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grading is approved?                                                             Back to Top

A: Your Dean's Office will contact you if a request is denied. The Office of the Registrar and Academic Services will email each student a confirmation once the approved request has been processed.

Q: Will I receive academic credit for a course taken in the "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grading mode?                                                                      Back to Top

A: If you receive a grade of credit satisfactory, credit deficiency or satisfactory, you will receive full academic credit for the course. If you receive a grade of no credit or unsatisfactory, you will receive no academic credit for the course. 

Q: What constitutes passing?                                                                                              Back to Top

A: Undergraduate students will receive the following transcript notations under the credit/credit deficiency/no credit options: a grade of C or higher yields a CS (credit satisfactory) notation; a passing grade less than C (C-,D,D+) yields a CD (credit deficiency) notation; a grade less than passing (F) yields a NC (no credit) notation. Courses receiving a "credit" or "credit deficiency" grade count toward the accumulated credit hours for the degree, but they are not included in the grade point average calculation. 

Graduate students will receive the following transcript notations under the satisfactory/unsatisfactory credit options: a grade of C or higher yields a S (satisfactory) notation. A grade less than C yields a U (unsatisfactory) notation. Courses receiving a "satisfactory" grade count toward the accumulated credit hours for the degree, but they are not included in the grade point average calculation. 

Q: Can I declare more than one course "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory"?                                                                                              Back to Top

A: Yes. For the Summer 2020 semester only,  undergraduate and graduate students may declare as many (or as few) courses as they choose in these grading modes as long as the course is deemed eligible for that grading mode.  These courses, as with the courses that may have been selected for CS/CD/NC or S/U grading in Spring 2020, will not count towards the maximum number of classes undergraduate students may elect for CS/CD/NC grading.

Q: If an undergraduate course in a future term requires a C or better as a prerequisite, will a grade of CS (credit satisfactory) satisfy the C or better requirement?                                                              Back to Top

A: Yes, an undergraduate grade of CS will satisfy a prerequisite requirement of C or better. Grades of CD (credit deficiency) or NC (no credit) will not satisfy a prerequisite requirement of C or better. 

Q: How will "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grading impact my term grade point average (GPA)?                                                                                          Back to Top

A: Courses taken under the credit/credit deficiency/no credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading option count toward the accumulated credit hours for the degree, but they are not included in the term GPA calculation. Credits earned in these grading scales will not help to improve your GPA. Before choosing one of these options, please carefully consider the potential impact on your GPA and ensure you will meet GPA minimum standards related to financial aid requirements and your program of study.

Q: Can I change the grade mode for a completed course?                                              Back to Top

A: No.

Q: Can I change my mind once I've chosen the "credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit" or "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grading option?                                                                  Back to Top

A: Once chosen, the credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading option cannot be reversed in anticipation of a high letter grade; conversely; the likelihood of a low letter grade is not grounds for a belated request for a credit satisfactory/credit deficiency/no credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade. Students retain the right to appeal a grade through the existing Change of Grade procedure after submission of final grades. 

 Q: What is the Change of Grade Procedure?                                                                        Back to Top

 A: A student who believes the grade received for a course is inaccurate should first appeal the matter to the professor, whose decision is normally final. The student has the right, however, to appeal to the faculty member's chairperson, who will make a recommendation in writing to his or her dean. The student may request the dean to review the matter. The decision of the dean is final. Ordinarily, no grade change will be considered unless it has been reviewed by the dean's office within one month from the time the original grade was available to the student.

Undergraduate Request for CS/CD/NC Grading Option Deadlines

Course Part-of-Term  Deadline
Full-Term Friday, June 5 
M1 Tuesday, June 2 
M2 Tuesday, July 7 
M6 Wednesday, May 27 
M8 Friday, June 19 
M10 Friday, June 12

Graduate Request for S/U Grading Option Deadlines

Course Part-of-Term 
Deadline 
Full-Term 
 Friday, June 5 
M1
 Tuesday, June 2 
M2
 Tuesday, July 7
M6
 Wednesday, May 27 
M8
 Friday, June 19 
M10 
 Friday, June 12
Special Summer 2A
 Monday, May 25
Special Summer 2B  Friday, July 3 
Special Summer 4B  Wednesday, June 3 
Special Summer 4C  Wednesday, July 1 
Special Summer 4D Wednesday, July 29

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