Awarding of Grades
Grades are earned by students and awarded by faculty. Grade changes can only be made by the instructor with the approval by the department chairperson and the dean of the college.
The Grading System
The Pittsburg State University grading system includes the following grades: A, B, C, D, P, F, XF, IN, IP, W and NC.
- A Excellent achievement, credit given, four grade points per semester hour.
- B Above average achievement, credit given, three grade points per semester hour.
- C Average achievement, credit given, two grade points per semester hour.
- D Below average achievement, credit given, one grade point per semester hour.
- P Passing work (equivalent to A, B, C, D achievement), credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not used in the computation of the grade point average.
- F Failing work, zero credit given, this grade is given at the end of the semester or if the student withdraws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is doing failing work. Zero grade points given per semester hour. Counted as a course attempted. Included in computation of grade point average.
- XF Indicates the F was the result of academic dishonesty. Zero grade points given per semester hour. Counted as a course attempted. Included in computation of grade point average.
- IN Incomplete, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. Temporarily recorded as a grade when a student is granted an extension of time to complete course work because course work could not be completed for reasons beyond the student's control. Credit is postponed and the course is not included in the student's grade point average. An incomplete course must be satisfactorily completed within one year from the date the IN was given. An incomplete not removed within one year shall be regarded as a failure and the IN grade will be changed to F and included in the computation of the student's GPA. Graduate independent study courses (theses, problems, readings, etc.) are excluded from the one-year regulation.
- IP In Progress, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. Temporarily recorded as a grade when a student is enrolled in a course that requires the student to engage in projects that extend past the end of the semester. The “IP” signifies that the faculty member acknowledges the student is enrolled in a long term project and that the project is not yet complete. Credit is postponed and the course is not included in the student’s grade point average. An In Progress course must be satisfactorily completed within one year from the date the IP was given. An In Progress not removed within one year shall be regarded as a failure and the IP grade will be changed to F and included in the computation of the student’s GPA. Courses to be established for the use of the IP grade must be legislated through department/college curriculum committees and the Faculty Senate/Graduate Council. Courses can be legislated to be excluded from the one-year regulation of changing to F if the course is not completed.
- W Withdrawal, zero credit, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not computed in the grade point average. This grade is given under two conditions: 1) when a student withdraws from a course prior to the end of the eleventh week; 2) when a student withdraws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is passing.
- NC No Credit, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. No credit given (does not necessarily imply failure).
Grade Point Average
Earned grade points are computed by multiplying the point value of A, B, C, D, F and XF grades earned by the number of credit hours of the course in which the student was enrolled.
When a student repeats a course, only the last grade earned is computed in the student's GPA. Grades earned on the first attempt will continue to appear on the transcript but will be marked as a repeat and will not be calculated in the GPA. Grades of P earned in "Pass-Fail" courses are not used in the computation of the GPA. Grades of F earned in a "Pass-Fail" course are used in the computation of the GPA. Grades of IN, NC, and W are not used in the computation of the GPA.
Mid-Semester Report of Low Grades
After the eighth week of the fall and spring semester, mid-semester “D” and “F” grades submitted by faculty are reported by the Office of the Registrar to the dean of the college in which the student is completing a major. All “D” and “F” grades submitted by faculty will be reported by the Registrar to the student and the student's academic advisor through the on-line student information system (GUS). No mid-semester report of “D” and “F” grades are distributed for the summer session. Final Grade Report
Final grades are reported to the Registrar’s Office at the conclusion of the course. Students may access their grades via GUS (see page 24) on their on-line transcript immediately upon grade posting. Grade reports are mailed by the Registrar’s Office upon the student’s request.
Grade Appeals
Final course grades are to be awarded upon criteria communicated to the student at the beginning of the semester. Additional work after a final grade was submitted cannot be used to change the grade.
If the student believes that an error has been made in the assignment or recording of a final grade, the student should first confer with the instructor. If such a conference does not resolve the problem, a grade appeal form must be submitted to the head of the academic department that offers the course in question. This appeal form must be submitted no later than six weeks after the beginning of the fall or spring semester immediately following the semester in which the grade being appealed was received.
The appeal form is available online on the Registrar’s Office and Graduate School’s webpage under forms.
Repeated Courses
Only courses in which “C”, “D”, or “F” grades have been earned may be repeated. Students may not repeat a course failed in resident study via an on-line course or credit by exam.
Grades earned on the final attempt will be used in computing the GPA. Grades earned on all previous attempts will continue to appear on the transcript, but will be marked as repeated and will not be calculated in the GPA.
Pass-Fail System of Grading
The Faculty Senate adopted the pass-fail system of grading certain courses under certain conditions.
I. Courses legislated on a pass-fail basis only may not be taken for a letter grade. These are noted in the course description.
II. Other courses:
Students may elect to take other courses with only a “P” or “F” grade being recorded. Such a system is advantageous to students since they may take courses that they may not otherwise attempt because of competition. Only free electives may be taken under this system of grading. The following conditions or restrictions apply:
A. Eligible students:
1. Those with at least junior standing (60 hours).
2. Those not on academic warning.
3. Those who have declared a major.
B. Courses which would be ineligible:
1. Courses used to fulfill the general education requirements.
2. Courses used to fulfill the student's major
or minor requirements.
3. Supporting courses required by a student's
major department.
4. Courses which have been attempted for a
letter grade.
C. Other regulations:
1. A student is allowed one course per semester with a maximum of four courses on the pass-fail basis.
2. At the time of enrollment a student must apply to the registrar for approval to take a course on a pass-fail basis. The grading option may not be changed after the last day for adding new classes.
3. A student taking a pass-fail grading option would receive a grade of “P” or “F” for the course with a “P” (pass) being given for any grade of “D” or higher with respect to the rest of the class.
4. Grades of “P” earned under pass-fail are not used in the computation of a student's grade point average. Grades of “F” earned under pass-fail are used in the computation of a student's grade point average. Courses passed are counted in the total courses required for graduation.
5. A student who has received a pass in a course may not repeat the course for a letter grade.
Transcripts
A transcript is a certified, official copy of a student’s permanent academic record. The transcript reflects courses and grades in accordance with academic regulations as listed in the University Catalog. The transcript cannot be altered at the request of a student. The entire transcript will be prepared each time a transcript is requested.
Transcripts may be requested from the Registrar’s Office. Transcripts are charged at the rate of $5.00 for mailed transcripts and $4.00 for transcripts picked up at the Registrar’s Office. No transcript will be provided if the student has not met their financial obligations to the university. Disciplinary actions are not recorded on academic transcripts. Additional information may be found at: http://www.pittstate.edu/office/registrar/transcripts.dot
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