Grading System
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Grading Options
Courses are offered under one of the following grading options:
Differentiated (A-F) Only
Regular letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F are used to indicate academic performance in a course. A-F grades are included when calculating G.P.A.
Undifferentiated (P/NP) Only
Pass Grades (P)
The grade of P is used to indicate successful completion (C- or better for undergraduate, B- or better for graduate) of a course. A grade of P carries credit but is not included when calculating G.P.A.
No-Pass Grades (NP)
The grade of NP is used to indicate unsatisfactory performance in a course. A grade of NP results in no credit earned and is not included when calculating G.P.A.
P/NP Option
Some courses are offered under both differentiated and undifferentiated grading options. The default grading option is A-F but students may choose the P/NP option instead.
Students may choose the P/NP option, if available, during the pre-term registration period and first seven weeks of a term.
Restrictions:
Students may not choose P/NP if they are:
- repeating a course for which they received a differentiated grade. See Repeat Policy for more information.
- prohibited from doing so by academic major or degree requirements. Undergraduates are limited to 45 Pass credits. No more than 20 of those Pass credits can be earned within the final 45 degree credits. The P/NP grading option is limited at the graduate level.
Grades
| Grade | Grade Points | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.00 | Excellent | Excellent |
| A- | 3.67 | ||
| B+ | 3.33 | ||
| B | 3.00 | Good | Satisfactory |
| B- | 2.67 | ||
| C+ | 2.33 | ||
| C | 2.00 | Satisfactory | Below Standard |
| C- | 1.67 | ||
| D+ | 1.33 | ||
| D | 1.00 | Inferior | Failure |
| D- | 0.67 | Failure | |
| F | 0.00 | Failure | Failure |
| Other Grade Marks Used | |||
| Grade | Undergraduate | Graduate | |
| I | Incomplete | Incomplete | |
| IP | In-Progress | In-Progress | |
| W | Withdrawal | Withdrawal | |
| P | Pass (C- or better) | Satisfactory Completion | |
| (B- or better) | |||
| NP | No Pass/No Credit | No Credit | |
| (Unsatisfactory) | |||
| AU | Audit | Audit | |
| X | No Basis for Grade | No Basis for Grade | |
| M | Missing Grade | Missing Grade | |
Incomplete Grade (I)
The instructor may issue a grade of I (for Incomplete) when certain criteria have been met and satisfactory student-instructor arrangements have been made. (See "Incompletes" in the 2006-07 PSU Bulletin/Catalog.) I grades are not included when calculating GPA.
The deadline for completion of an Incomplete in an undergraduate course is one calendar year. The instructor may set a shorter deadline, which is binding. An agreement to a longer period is by petition to the Scholastic Standards Committee. Failure to make up the Incomplete by the end of one year will result in the mark of I automatically changing to a grade of F or NP, depending on the grading option chosen by the student at registration.
For graduating students, Incompletes awarded in undergraduate courses taken in Fall Term 2006 or later will automatically change to a grade of F or NP before conferral of the degree. The faculty of record must file supplemental grade changes no later than 30 days after the degree is awarded. Grades of F or NP will remain on the academic record after the degree is awarded and cannot be removed.
In cases when a student's inability to complete the work by the deadline is due to extraordinary circumstances, such as catastrophic injury or illness, petition may be made to the Scholastic Standards Committee, which will review the case to determine appropriate action.
To view the complete policy, click here.
In-Progress Grade (IP)
The grade of IP is issued only in the special circumstance of a course registered for in one term is to be completed by registering for the companion course in a subsequent term. Upon successful completion of the final course, the instructor changes the IP grade to the appropriate grade. IP grades are not included when calculating G.P.A.
Withdrawal Grade (W)
A grade of W is issued when a student formally withdraws from a course. The withdrawal must be initiated by the student in accordance with the procedures and deadline dates published in the Schedule of Classes. W grades carry no credit and are not included when calculating G.P.A.
Audit Grade (AU)
A grade of AU is issued when a student's attendance in an audited course is deemed adequate. AU grades carry no credit and are not included when calculating G.P.A.
No Basis for Grade (X)*
A grade of X is issued when the instructor feels there is no basis for a grade, such as non-attendance. X grades carry no credit and are not included when calculating G.P.A.
Missing Grade (M)*
A grade of M is issued when no grade has been reported to the Office of Admissions, Registration, and Records. M grades carry no credit and are not included when calculating G.P.A.
*New Grading Policy for X and M Grades
The PSU Faculty Senate approved the following definition and rules regarding assignment of X grades and M Grades, effective fall 2011.
The X grade definition: Non-attendance and No Basis for Grade. The X grade is used when there is little or no attendance and no work/performance upon which to base an academic evaluation.
New Rule for X grades: X grades cannot be changed after initial submission and other grades cannot be changed to an X.
New Rule for M grades: M (missing) grades will change to a grade of X, one term after the initial term. Once converted to an X, cannot be changed.
