Grades and Grading Policies
University Grade Point Average (GPA)
The GPA appearing on the University transcript at the end of each semester of enrollment will be the official GPA for determining academic standing. The GPA will be based upon all courses taken while the student is enrolled as a graduate student, including undergraduate courses. Courses taken at the 500-level and above will be counted as graduate courses. While possibly including undergraduate coursework, this transcript will determine the overall Graduate GPA. The program faculty and unit dean will monitor this Graduate GPA to ensure students maintain at least a 3.0 to remain in good standing.
Grading System
Graduate programs at University of Louisville utilize a plus/minus grading system.
The following is the grading scale:
| Grades | Quality Points |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
C Grades
The student's academic program may approve six (6) credit hours of coursework in which a grade of C+, C, or C-minus was received to count toward the completion of degree requirements.
Approval of the Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs must be secured in order to count additional hours with any grade of C in any course that is part of the degree program. In no case may more than nine (9) credit hours of C be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements. Units or programs may choose not to permit any courses in which a grade of C+, C, or C-minus has been earned to be used in fulfillment of degree requirements. Although grades below C-minus will be calculated in the graduate student's grade point average, courses in which these grades have been earned will not be counted towards the fulfillment of degree requirements.
Other Grades
W - means Withdrew and carries no quality points. No student may withdraw from any course after the published drop date. In exceptional cases, the unit dean may grant a student's request to withdraw from courses because of illness or conditions beyond the student's control. Poor performance is not a valid reason to grant an exception.
I - means Work in Course Incomplete. If the work is not completed by the end of next term, regardless of whether the student is enrolled, the I automatically becomes an F.
X - means course work has not been finished because of the nature of the research or study involved, e.g., thesis or dissertation work. This grade is reserved for courses that by their nature extend beyond one semester. This grade may not be used for coursework that is confined to a semester but not completed by the student.
Graduate students enroll in courses on a term basis. Graduate courses may not be extended beyond the enrollment term, except as noted for open-ended courses eligible for the X or deferred grade. An I grade does not extend the course, but rather extends the time a student has for completion of work assigned in the course. The I must be removed within one semester and the new grade assigned for the term in which the student was originally enrolled or the I is changed to an F.
Pass/Fail Grading Option
Each program has the discretion of extending a Pass/Fail option to any or all of its graduate students and graduate courses.
When using the Pass/Fail option for graduate students enrolled in graduate courses, A+ through C-minus will be passing grades and D+ through F will be failing grades.
Changes of Grades
No changes of grades can be made without a request and explanation on the part of the faculty member giving the grade and the approval of the unit dean.
Missing Grades
All missing grades will be changed to failing grades one year after the completion of the semester in which the course was taken.
Repetition of Courses
A student who has received the grade of C (in a course that is a degree requirement), D, or F may repeat that course upon the approval of the graduate program advisor and the unit dean. When a student repeats a course, the grade point average will be calculated on the basis of the last grade earned, although all previous grades will remain on the transcript.
