Grading Scales and Definitions

Grades at the University of Cincinnati will be determined using the following considerations.

• Each instructor is responsible for the maintenance of high standards. The instructor’s evaluation of the performance of each individual student is the final basis for assigning grades.
• Students have protection through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation. The method of grading by instructors must be made clear to students, and instructors may be required to justify disputed grades. At the same time, students are responsible for maintaining those reasonable standards of academic performance and classroom conduct conducive to the learning process, as established in each course in which they are enrolled.
• Pluses (+) and minuses (-) as appropriate to the grading scale are optional.
• The University Registrar uses grades to compute both term and cumulative grade point averages (GPA) based upon the credit level of the courses taken.

With the introduction of the “X” and “WX” grades specifically to denote non-attendance, by definition all other grades can be awarded only to students who have academically attended the class in some way.

(i.e., “A” through “F”, “P”, “U”, “T”, “I”, “I/F”, “W”, “UW”, “IP”, “IP/F”, “NP”, “NG” mark).

The incomplete grade is awarded as a final course grade (without grade point assignment) at the end of a term when a significant portion of course work has been satisfactorily completed, but not all of the course work has been completed. The incomplete grade is appropriate only when the completed course work is of passing quality and the student has had such hardship that completion of the remaining course work within the term timeline would present an additional hardship. Completion of the remaining course work does not include attending course sessions in a subsequent term.

The instructor who assigns the incomplete grade may set a specific date (up to 350 calendar days or less) by which the student must complete the remaining course work. The student must work with the instructor to develop an agreement that indicates the exact date by which the remaining course work is to be completed and submitted to the instructor. The instructor is not obligated to provide the full 350 days to complete the remaining course, but the date must be within the 350 days after the end of the term in which the “I” grade was assigned. Once the instructor receives the completed work, the final grade must be changed online through the Catalyst Faculty Center. If no specific time for completion is set by the instructor, the student has 350 days (from the end of the term in which the incomplete was assigned) to complete the remaining course work. If the course-work is not completed within the 350 day period (i.e., 350 days from the end of the term in which the “I” grade was assigned), the “I” grade automatically converts to an “I/F” grade. The “I/F” grade cannot be changed online and will require college approval.

Beginning Fall Semester 2016, the incomplete grade incurs no grade quality points (none) in the 350 days following the assignment of the incomplete grade and is not calculated into the grade point average (GPA). After the 350 day period, if the incomplete grade has not been resolved, the “I” grade is converted to an “I/F” grade which carries zero (0.00) quality points and affects the student’s GPA the same as the grade of “F”. (Prior to Fall Semester 2016, the incomplete grade incurred no grade quality points in the term following the assignment of the incomplete grade. Thereafter, zero (0.00) grade quality points were assigned and calculated into the GPA).

Students may elect to audit a course instead of receiving academic credit for a course up to the 7th calendar day of the term. Prior to the 7th calendar day of the term, a student may elect to take the course for credit. However, after the 7th calendar day of the term, the student will not be permitted to take the course for credit during that specific term.

The student must discuss the course-work expectations with the instructor (e.g., attendance only) prior to auditing the course. Students who audit a course will be designated with an “A” grade type on the class and grade lists. A passing audit grade (“T”) should not be awarded automatically by the course instructor, but rather only if the student has academically attended the course to the level of faculty expectation for passing the course. It is possible, and at times appropriate, for the instructor to assign a grade of “F” to a student who has failed the course by not meeting faculty expectations for academic attendance. The “F” grade carries 0.000 quality points and is averaged into the grade point average if the course being audited carries credit hours.

Students who audit a course must pay regular fees for the audited course. At the end of the term, the instructor should enter a grade of “T” for those students who have met course attendance expectations.

Given to those students who earned the equivalent "D-" grade or better in a designated Pass/Fail course.

Given to those students who did not earn the equivalent "D-" grade or better in a designated Pass/Fail course taken for zero credit hours.

The "SP" and "UP" grades are used only in designated courses approved by College committees to have an extended grading period. Students have one year to complete the course. If the "SP" or "UP" grade remains on the student's record at the end of one year after the SP/UP is submitted, these grades will change to the "I/F" (Failure) grade. The “I/F” grade is calculated into the GPA like the “F” grade.

The "NP" grade is used only for 1001-level and below English, Math, and Statistics courses that require a level of proficiency to move through the sequence and that are approved by the appropriate College committees.

Online Class Grading requires instructors to enter either a valid grade or the "NG" mark for all students officially enrolled in the class by the close of Online Class Grading. For classes not graded by the close of Online Class Grading for the term, the Registrar's Office will record the "NG" mark for all students. Until the instructor submits a valid grade to replace the "NG", the "NG" mark will be associated with the class on the online grade report available to the student through the One Stop Student Services web site and will be printed on the student's official transcript. Students given a “NG” mark should contact the instructor for resolution.

Given to those students who did officially complete the withdrawal process but who did not academically attend any classes and did not submit any assigned work.

Appears in the Online Class Grading roster as either “EW” or “W.” The instructor may replace a “W” appearing on the Online Class Grading roster with a "WX" by clicking "no" attendance for that student. An assignment of “WX” has no impact on the student’s GPA. A “W” will appear on the student’s online grade report and on the transcript. The “WX” recognizes the student’s official withdrawal from the class and only records the fact of non-attendance.

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must officially complete the process per University guidelines; doing so is solely the student’s responsibility. In doing so, the student should refer to the appropriate term’s academic calendar posted at the Registrar’s Office website, as the withdrawal process will vary according to the chosen withdrawal date.

Given to those students who did not officially complete the withdrawal process; the lack of academic attendance is the basis for a failing grade. The "UW" carries zero (0.00) quality points. It is calculated into the GPA like the "F" grade.

Students who cease academically attending at some point in the course or who never academically attend the course are considered to be “unofficially withdrawn students.” These students will receive a “UW” or “X” grade. Both carry zero (0.00) quality points and are calculated into the GPA like the “F” grade.

Given to those students who did not officially complete the withdrawal process and did not academically attend any classes or submit any assigned work. The “X” will appear on the transcript and will carry zero (0.00) quality points. It is calculated into the GPA like the “F” grade.

Students who are considering an official or unofficial withdrawal from a course should consult the university’s policies and procedures and consider the implications of these actions with respect to financial planning including but not limited to financial aid, alternative loans and other sources of tuition funding.

Federal funds are awarded to the student with the expectation that the student will complete the course(s) for which he or she has registered in a given term. When a student does not complete the course(s), then it is necessary for the University to review the aid amount awarded to the student based on the courses that the student has dropped or withdrawn. Student who completely withdraw from courses for any term are subject to the Return of Title IV (R2T4) refund calculation as dictated by federal regulations. Instructors approached by a student wishing to discuss withdrawal from one or more courses should refer the student to the One Stop Student Service Center for information related to the student’s specific financial circumstances. Instructors are reminded that their final grade assignments must be based upon the student’s academic performance in the course and must not take into account the financial aid and/or personal financial consequences of that grade assignment on the student.

Graduate credit is indicated by a "G" next to the credit hour value.

With the introduction of the “X” and “WX” grades specifically to denote

non-attendance, by definition all other grades can be awarded only to students who have academically attended the class in some way.

(i.e., “A” through “F”, “P”, “U”, “T”, “I”, “I/F”, “W”, “UW”, “IP”, “IP/F”, “NP”, “NG” mark).

No grade quality points (none) during first year after the "I" is incurred; thereafter, zero (0.0000) quality points and the "I" changes to "I/F" (Failure).

Instructors will record a “WX” for those students who officially withdrew from the class (as denoted on the Online Class Grading roster by either “EW” or “W”) but who never attended any classes and did not submit any assigned work.

The instructor may replace a “W” appearing on the Online Class Grading roster with a "WX" by clicking "no" attendance for that student. An assignment of “WX” has no impact on the student’s GPA. A “W” will appear on the student’s online grade report and on the transcript. The “WX” recognizes the student’s official withdrawal from the class and only records the fact of non-attendance.

Instructors will record a “UW” (unofficial withdrawal) only for students who cease to attend a class following some academic attendance. The "UW" carries zero (0.00) quality points. It is calculated into the GPA like the "F" grade.

Instructors will record an “X” on the final grade roster for students who never attended any classes and did not submit any assigned work. The “X” will appear on the transcript and will carry zero (0.00) quality points. It is calculated into the GPA like the “F” grade.

The "SP" and "UP" grades are used only for those courses approved by College committees to have an extended grading period beyond the normal term ending due to the nature of the material covered in the courses. Note: the "IP" no longer is valid for courses approved for "IP" grading at the graduate level. An "SP" or "UP" grade must be submitted.

In May 2003, the Faculty Senate resolved that: "all course instructors have a professional responsibility to submit a grade for every student using only the approved UC grades."

Online Class Grading requires instructors to enter either a valid grade or the "NG" mark for all students officially enrolled in the class. For classes not graded by the close of Online Class Grading for the term, the Registrar's Office will record the "NG" mark for all students. Until the instructor submits a valid grade to replace the "NG", the "NG" mark will be associated with the class on the online grade report available to the student through the One Stop Student Services web site and will be printed on the student's official transcript.