Grades

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The following are University of Minnesota Policy:


Grading Basis and Values 

Courses may be designated as having either A–F or S/N grading basis. Most uAPS courses require A–F grading, encompassing + and – designations. If you are unsure about the grading basis for your course, refer to the Faculty Center in MyU and click on your class. Grading basis is specified in the Class Detail. The University Grading and Transcripts Policy is provided for your reference.

A-F Grades 
For courses designated as A–F, one of five permanent grades may be awarded. A-B-C-D-F grades including pluses and minuses carry the indicated grade points.

For courses designated as S/N, the S grade carries no grade points, but the credits count toward the student's degree program.

Students earn credit for the following grades:

A (4.00) Represents achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.
A- (3.67)
B+ (3.33)
B (3.00) Represents achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.
B- (2.67)
C+ (2.33)
C (2.00) Represents achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect.
C- (1.67)
D+ (1.33)
D (1.00) Represents achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.
F (-0-) Zero. Represents failure. The F carries 0 grade points and the credit hours for the course shall count in the grade point average. F signifies that the work was either (1) completed but at a level of achievement that is not worthy of credit or (2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student for a work completion plan (an Incomplete grade.)

S/N Grades 
For a course designated as S / N (Satisfactory / Not Satisfactory) grading:
S - For undergraduate students, a C or better grade equals a grade of S on the S-N grading scale. (According to this policy, an instructor cannot set a higher standard for earning a grade of S for undergraduate students.)
N - Represents no credit. The N carries no grade points and the credits for the course do not count toward any academic degree program. The credit hours for the course do not count in the grade point average. N signifies that the work was either (1) completed but at a level of   achievement that is not worthy of credit, or (2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an I.

NOTE: If a letter grade of C- or better is entered into the final or supplemental grades entry system for an undergraduate student registered S-N, the grade will automatically convert to a grade of S. If a letter grade of D+, D or F is entered into the final grades entry system for an   undergraduate student registered S-N, the grade will automatically convert to a grade of N. Automatic conversion of letter grades to the corresponding S–N grade will only occur for undergraduate students.

Grades and Class Syllabus 
The syllabus for every course which enrolls undergraduates shall include the definitions of grades and workload expectations set forth in the University policy on Expected Student Academic Work per Credit.

Grades in Major Coursework 
According to University policy, no grade of "D" is allowed in meeting any major requirement, both upper division uAPS major requirements AND specific required lower division prerequisites. Students must earn at least a C-. No exceptions are allowed, even by scholastic committee appeal. A student earning less than a C- must retake that course, earning a C- or better, to meet the major requirements.  Instructors are expected, however, to grade each student solely on the basis of evaluation criteria set for the course without consideration of this policy. In the long run, doing so better prepares the student for professional success.


Grade Inflation

According to University of Minnesota policy, a grade of C indicates that a student has met all of the course requirements. A higher grade indicates that the student has surpassed the requirements. For example, beyond content knowledge, evaluation criteria may reflect in increasingly complex levels of analysis, communication, or evaluation of resources. If more than half of the students in a class earn an A, the U of M questions whether grade inflation is present.

All uAPS courses are expected to be academically rigorous, holding students to high standards of excellence. If you have any questions or concerns about course expectations, uAPS faculty directors and staff can assist you in reviewing course requirements and evaluation criteria.


Incomplete — Grade of I

When you and the student have discussed and agreed to an Incomplete grade, the student is required to complete an Incomplete Grade Contract to establish what work remains in order to finish the course, and a timeline and deadline to complete the work. The final deadline must be within one term from the last day of final exams of the term in which the Incomplete grade was assigned. Depending on the extenuating circumstances, the student may be required to provide documentation.

Course requirements must be completed and a grade change submitted within one year from the end of the initial class term. After one year, an I automatically converts to an F on the student's academic record.

An I grade is to be assigned only after careful evaluation of the student's situation. If a student did not participate in a class throughout the semester, and is not listed as having withdrawn from the class, a grade of F is appropriate. It is best to be proactive within the semester to avoid assigning either an I or an F.  Often it is helpful as a preventive measure to provide feedback and consultation to students early on if they appear to be struggling.  In some cases early Withdrawal (grade of W) may be the student's best option.  Occasionally the Mid-Term Alert system (see below), especially for large classes, might be employed.  


Grade Submission

Final grades for classes, including seven-week classes, are due in the Office of the Registrar no later than three business days after the last final exam. Final grade submission may have a major impact upon student academic standing and finances, so timeliness is, in many cases, critical. 

Final class grades for all uAPS classroom and online classes can be submitted by the instructor using either the functionality in the Canvas site for the class, or the Faculty Center in MyU, where you will go to your class and click on the middle icon to bring up the grade roster.  The roster will be available about one week before the last day of class.  For more information about the grade entry process, click here. 

Grade Changes

Once the final roster has been submitted, all changes to student grades, including changes from I to the final grade, are submitted by going to the grade roster for your class in MyU.  (Departmental approval for grade changes is not required by uAPS.)  Go to the yellow Request Grade Change button near the top of the roster and click through to the change panel. Be sure to click on the Comment link to access the drop-down box for the reason, and include any clarifying comments. When the entry is complete, click Submit.

Grade Disputes

If a student has concerns about the final grade earned, those questions should be discussed with the course instructor. According to the Grade Accountability Policy, students have a right to receive a timely explanation of the rationale for grade assignment. However, the instructor is not obligated to change the grade. If resolution cannot be reached, contact your faculty director or the Undergraduate Programs director for assistance. Be sure to document the issue with background information on the student's performance, and exchanges between you and the student about resolving the situation. Then you won't have to remember at a later date what happened.

If you and the student are unable to resolve the issue, the student may contact the Student Conflict Resolution Center. The center consults with the student about their options, and may or may not decide to explore the issue with you. The center offers these tips for students to avoid grading issues, as well as tips for instructors.


In-Progress Notifications

Each student's academic success is our priority. Instructors are expected to be in communication with students struggling with the course. Students in danger at the mid-term point of failing your course should be advised to seek remedial help. uAPS recommends that instructors with 40 or fewer students discuss performance issues with a student individually.

The University has provided a system for mid-term in-progress notifications. University policy requires that instructors in all 1XXX courses provide a mid-term alert for students who, on the basis of performance in the course through the sixth week of the semester, appear to be in danger of receiving a grade of D, F, or N. The in-progress notification is encouraged for all other courses.

The mid-term alert should be given during the 4th through the 8th week of each term. When an alert is sent, the student's adviser is automatically copied in order to provide additional support for students. This notification is not included in the student's transcript. 


Student Academic Probation

All uAPS students are held to University and CCAPS satisfactory academic progress policy and procedures. As with all CCAPS students, if they do not meet the standard University satisfactory academic progress GPA, they are placed on probation (a PB hold placed upon their record in PeopleSoft). In addition, they are placed upon an academic contract for their next term of enrollment, which requires three things: a 2.00 GPA for that term, 100% completion of their registration, and all courses taken on the A/F grading system (unless a course is only offered S/N). Failure to meet any term of that contract results in suspension for one academic year.