300 Grading Policies
Using the official school grading policy, instructors are expected to assign grades on the basis of a critical and fair assessment of the student’s work. It is the right and obligation of the instructor to assign the grade they deem appropriate.
Students are responsible for attending to academic progress criteria, monitoring their own learning performance against those criteria, identifying problems in meeting course criteria, and initiating timely efforts to address them.
300.1 Grades for Coursework
All courses will be graded on a Pass/Marginal Pass/Fail basis in accordance with the course rubric. Grades are kept indefinitely as part of the student’s permanent record (Section 700.2).
Letter grades are assigned in accordance with the categories defined below:
- P – Pass: performance reflecting an acceptable mastery of graduate level course content. A pass in this system should be viewed as the equivalent of the work in the “B” or better category in an A to F grading system.
- MP - Marginal Pass: performance of a marginal quality, falling below the mastery of graduate level course content. A marginal pass in this system should be viewed as the equivalent of the work in the “C” category in an A to F grading system.
- F – Fail: performance that fails to demonstrate creditable mastery of graduate-level course content.
- I – Incomplete: used for cases in which the student has not completed all assignments for a course but has obtained written permission, following the established procedures, for additional time to complete those assignments. The grade of Incomplete is a temporary grade designation.
- W - Withdrawal: used when a student withdraws from a course, following all established procedures (see section 200.11).
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pass | 83 to 100 |
| Marginal Pass | 75 to 82 |
| Fail | 0 to 74 |
300.2 Appeal of Grade
A student who receives a grade that they believe is inaccurate according to the rubric, should discuss with the course instructor. If the issue cannot be resolved in discussion with the instructor, the student may petition the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (ADAA) if they believe the grade was awarded in violation of the School’s stated grading policies. The ADAA’s decision shall be final. The following procedures regarding appeals shall govern.
- The petition must be submitted to the ADAA in writing no later than seven (7) days following the publication of the final grade by the Registrar’s Office.
- If the ADAA determines that the School’s grading policies have been followed, the student shall be so notified and the grade will stand.
- If the ADAA determines that the School’s grading policies have not been followed, the ADAA, in consultation with the appropriate Course Coordinator or Ph.D. Program Director will grant to the student a remedy which may include an opportunity for re-assessment, submission of another paper/ assignment, or the possibility of re-taking the course.
300.3 Failing Grades
300.3.1 Master’s Program
A grade of F will result in Academic Probation. See section 500.4 Academic Probation for additional information.
300.3.1.1 Options for Making Up Failing Grades
When a student fails a course, several options exist for making-up the credits:
- Retake the failed course (mandatory for required courses); a course can only be retaken one time
- Make up the credits by taking and successfully completing another elective
- Make up the failed course at another institution; prior approval of the course by the ADAA, see policy on Transfer Credit.
- At the discretion of the ADAA a substitute course may be identified (required courses only)
300.3.2 Doctoral Program
A grade of F in any required course would disallow a student from continuing in the Program. See section 500.5 Dismissal for additional information.