Instructors are required to publish the grading rubric or basis for evaluation in their course syllabus. Grades should be submitted prior to the deadline for each term. Failure to grade by the deadline can have serious repercussions for students related to academic standing, graduation, financial aid, academic honors or distinction, job searches or pending wage increases.
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Portland State University Grading Scale
Grades
| Letter Grade |
Grade Point Value |
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 |
Grading Options
Courses are offered under one of the following grading options:
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.
A-F (Differentiated) 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.
Pass Grades (P)
The grade of P is used to indicate successful completion of a course. In the majority of instances, a pass grade is equated to a C- or better for undergraduate courses and a B- or better for graduate courses, although some departments may differ. 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.
Other Grade Mark Descriptions
An Incomplete grade may be assigned if the student meets the incomplete eligibility criteria and there is a clearly defined incomplete contract outlining how the coursework will be completed.
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.
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.
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.
To register for an Audit grade option, the student must first register for the course during the registration period, then submit a Special Registration Form with Instructor's signature to the change the grading option to Audit. Registered courses may be changed to audit through the 7th week of the term.
Audit courses are not included in total credits for financial aid or enrollment verification purposes. Regular tuition and fees apply to courses taken for audit. Courses taken for audit do not fulfill requirements for a degree.
A grade of X is issued when there is little or no attendance and no work/performance upon which to base an academic evaluation. X grades carry no credit and are not included when calculating G.P.A.
A grade of M is issued when no grade has been reported to the Office of the Registrar. M grades carry no credit and are not included when calculating G.P.A.
Grading Policy for X and M Grades
The PSU Faculty Senate approved the following definition and rules regarding the 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.