Grading System

At the end of each semester the student's quality of work is graded by the instructor. The grades are indicated by letters, a four-point system being used:

*Not calculated in GPA.

Grades of 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D' carry the appropriate quantity and quality credits, and all grades calculated in the GPA affect the student's academic standing. Student's must maintain a minimum 2.0 APSU major, Minor and Overall GPA to graduate . The grade of 'I' indicates satisfactory work through most of a semester in a course which, for some acceptable reason, has not been completed. This grade may be changed by the instructor and credit allowed when the requirements of the course have been met, provided the work is completed by the instructor’s deadline and not to exceed one calendar year. If the student fails to complete the work for the course within the specified time, the 'I' grade will be converted to an 'F' grade. The letter 'W' indicates that the student has officially dropped a course without grade or credit. Regulations governing the dropping of a course or all courses (withdrawal in any form under any circumstances from the University) may be found in the BULLETIN or SCHEDULE OF CLASSES.

Grade Reporting

Students may obtain their grades through AP Self Service after each semester/term. Grade reports are not automatically mailed to students. One copy per term may be requested through AP Self Service.

Grade Changes

Errors in grades must be reported to the instructor of the course immediately. No grade changes will be made one calendar year after the grade was assigned without the approval of the college dean and Provost.

Grade Appeal

Students may appeal course grades with their instructor within one calendar year from the date the grade was submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Once a degree has been posted to the transcript, the academic record is deemed complete and changes will not be made on grades prior to the posted degree. Review the Academic Grievance Policy section in the STUDENT HANDBOOK for appeal procedures.

Pass-Fail Grading

Students will be permitted to take some courses, excluding remedial or developmental courses, in which they may receive a grade of Pass or Fail. In order to be eligible for this program, the student must have earned 24 semester hours. Other than for the exceptions listed, no student will be permitted to apply toward a degree more than 12 semester hours of traditional credit graded with Pass.

The Pass-Fail system will not apply to courses in the core requirements, the major field, or the minor field, unless listed in the BULLETIN.

Students must be enrolled as full-time on the regular letter-grade basis in order to take a course on a Pass-Fail basis. No student on academic probation may take a course on a Pass-Fail basis. Pass-Fail is limited to one course per semester/term. All such courses which are passed will count toward the hours required for graduation. The courses do not apply to grade-point average for graduation or for honors.

All students enrolled in a course on a Pass-Fail basis will meet all normal course requirements (e.g., reports, papers, examinations, lab attendance, etc.) and will be graded in the normal way. At the end of the semester, students enrolled on a Pass-Fail basis will receive a 'P' if the grade is 'C' or above and 'XF' if the grade is below 'C'. A student taking a course on a Pass-Fail basis must meet the prerequisites for that course as set forth in the BULLETIN, or have permission of the instructor.

A student may change his registration to a Pass-Fail basis in the Office of the Registrar on the Drop/Add days designated in the SCHEDULE OF CLASSES. Instructors will know who is registered on a Pass-Fail basis.

Exceptions To The Pass-Fail Grading Regulations

• In the College of Education, all Student Teaching courses and accompanying seminars will be taken under the Pass-Fail grading system. Student teaching seminar will be graded.
• Political Science 454A and B, Legislative Internship, may be taken under the Pass-Fail grading system, subject to program supervisor’s approval.
• The following courses are offered only on a Pass-Fail grading system: AGRI 3610, 3620,4610, 4620, AOM 2990, COMM 300A, 300B, 300C, COMM 470A, 470B, 470C, EDUC 4410, 4510, 4610, GB 3900, SW 4400, 4410, 499A, THEA 388A, 388B, 388C, 388D.

Applying 1, 2, and 3 above, the student need not be registered for 12 semester hours credit at the time the courses are taken, and these Pass-Fail hours will be exempted from the maximum limit of 12 semester hours a student may apply toward the degree.

Mid Term Grades

Mid Term grades are reported for all courses numbered 1000-2999 during the Fall and Spring semesters for all students. The Mid Term grades are available via AP Self Service approximately midway through the semester/term and are not counted in the final grade statistics.

Quality Points and Grade Point Average (GPA)

Students must obtain a degree of excellence higher than is indicated by a minimum passing grade. For determining the qualitative standing of a student, quality credits are used. To graduate, a student must make a 'C' average on all credits attempted - that is, earn twice as many quality points as quality credits attempted.

In determining the academic standing and grade point average of a student, the following two factors are used:

• Total quality hours of credit the student has attempted. (In the case of a repeated course, the course is counted as attempted one time only, except as stated under the 'Course Repetition' section.) Courses taken on a Pass-Fail basis and 'IP' grades are not included in the hours attempted.
• Total quality points earned in courses. (In the case of a repeated course, only the quality points earned the last time the student receives a grade in the course are included, except as stated under the 'Course Repetition' section that follows.) Quality points are not earned in courses taken on a Pass-Fail basis.

The Grade-Point Average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total quality points earned by the total quality hours attempted, including all courses attempted at APSU and at other institutions (transfer work).
Example: