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The University Grading System
The University grading system is as follows:
A Excellent
B Good
C Fair
D Poor
F Failure (a final grade that is not subject to reexamination)
Plus and minus grades are also used. The mark of P (pass) is sometimes used in place of the letter grades.
E credit (examination credit): given to a student who has completed the required work in a course, including a final examination or paper; it is expressed on his or her record by the letter grades A, B, C, D, or P (pass).
The mark of P (pass): In courses offered for examination credit, students must request a grade of Pass/Fail from their instructor. The instructor has the right to deny the request and follow the traditional grading system. The grade of Pass counts toward the MIA degree only in elective courses. A grade of Pass is not figured into a student's grade point average. All core courses, including functional and regional requirements, must be taken for E (examination) credit. Certain courses, such as one-point mini-courses, Professional Development, and Computer Skills are offered only on a Pass/Fail basis. Requests for the Pass/Fail option must be made prior to deadlines established each semester.
The mark of R (registered for the course; no qualitative grade assigned): Courses taken for R credit do not count toward the 54 points required for the MIA or MPA degree. It is, in effect, an official auditing status. Students who wish to be given R credit for a course must request permission from the instructor during the registration period. Instructors are not obligated to grant R credit; however, if permission is granted, the student must meet course requirements established at the discretion of the instructor. No Business School courses may be taken for R credit. Once awarded, the grade is not subject to change, nor may a course that has been taken for R credit be repeated for examination credit.
The mark of W (withdrawal): If a SIPA student drops a course after the fifth week of the semester, the course will remain on the student's transcript with the designation of W.
The mark of INC (incomplete): given to a student who has satisfactorily met the requirements of a course except for the completion of certain assignments or the final examination. Incompletes can be granted only in cases of incapacitating illness, serious family emergencies, or in circumstances of comparable gravity. In rare cases, permission may also be granted so that a student can consult research materials not obtainable during the semester. To receive an Incomplete, a student must submit a request form to the Dean's Office, having first obtained approval from the Instructor. In the School of International and Public Affairs, an Incomplete will be changed automatically to a UW if not removed by the deadline agreed upon by the student and instructor and approved by the Committee of Deans. The deadline to apply for an Incomplete is the last day of classes. Students are advised to avoid incompletes as they are a counterindication of satisfactory progress toward the MIA and MPA degrees.
The mark of ABS (absent from the final examination): granted by the instructor, not later than the day of the examination, to a student whose attendance and progress have been satisfactory and who cannot be present because of sickness or some other extreme emergency. The student must make arrangements with the instructor to remove the ABS. At SIPA, the ABS will be changed automatically to an R if not removed within one year. The grade of R will be considered a final grade, not subject to change at a later date, unless other arrangements are made between the student and the instructor with the consent of the director of the degree program.
The mark of YC (year course): a temporary mark given at the end of the first term of a course in which the full year's work must be completed before a qualitative grade is assigned. The grade given at the end of the second term is the grade for the entire course.
The mark of CP (credit pending): given only in graduate research courses in which student research projects regularly extend beyond the end of the term. Upon completion, a final qualitative grade is assigned and credit allowed. The mark of CP implies satisfactory progress.
The mark of UW (unofficial withdrawal): automatically given to a student who discontinues attendance in a course but is still officially registered for it. A UW is a permanent grade and will remain on the transcript even if the student repeats the course.
Academic Progress: Satisfactory academic progress for a full-time student is defined as completing a minimum of 9 credits per term toward the degree. Full-time students who do not earn this minimum number of credits will have a Dean's Hold placed on their registration.
A Dean's Hold prevents a student from registering for classes and from receiving the degree. Students with two or more IN or UW or one or more grades of F will have their registration placed on Dean's Hold. In serious cases of unsatisfactory performances, a Dean's Hold may lead to dismissal from the School upon recommendation by the Committee of Deans. Students who are placed on Dean's Hold must be granted permission to register by the associate dean after showing adequate academic progress.