.01
Grading System
A. Grades
Calculated in Grade Point Average
A (Excellent)
4.0
A -
3.7
B+
3.3
B (Good)
3.0
B -
2.7
C+
2.3
C (Satisfactory)
2.0
C -
1.7
D (Poor)
1.0
F (Fail)
0.0
X (Fail:
Administrative Penalty) 0.0
The X grade
is assigned by the instructor when a student listed on the grade roster
never attended or ceased attending the course and assessment of academic
performance could not be rendered.
B. Posting
Symbols
R = Follows
grade entry indicating course has been repeated.
N = No
grade or invalid grade submitted (assigned by the dean or appropriate
administrative officer when an expected final grade has not been received
before the grade posting deadline. The dean and the Registrar are expected
to secure an appropriate final grade within one semester).
IP = Course
in progress (a temporary posting symbol to be reported by a faculty
member in lieu of a final grade for a course, research project, thesis,
or dissertation which has not been completed by the conclusion of the
semester of registration and for which a final grade is not yet due).
C. Grades
Not Calculated in Grade Point Average
I
= Incomplete
L
= Audit (no credit)
P
= Pass
ZF
= Fail (for pass/fail registration)
ZL
= Administrative withdrawal from audit
ZX
= Fail (administrative penalty for pass/fail registration)
W
= Withdrawn (assigned by the Registrar when a student, under regulations
governing changes in registration, withdraws from a course after the
final date for adding a course.)
Senate
action and Provost approval, December 1982. Effective fall 1983.
D. Grades
No degree
credit is earned by a graduate student for any grade lower than C (2.0)
which is received in a graduate‑level course. However, grades
lower than C (2.0) are used in the calculation of the grade point average.
At the undergraduate level, teaching units will not accept C‑
or D grades in major and major-related courses, in minor courses, or
toward the satisfaction of the English or mathematics requirements.
The course may be used as an elective toward graduation requirements
and the C‑ or D grade is calculated in the cumulative average.
(For courses which are repeated, see 25.10.05, Repetition of Courses)
Senate
approval, April 1979. Senate action and Provost approval, December 1980.
Effective spring 1981.
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.02
Pass/Fail Grade
A. Undergraduate
students may take up to 50 percent of their courses on a pass/fail basis.
The student's major department may approve a greater percentage of courses
for pass/fail. However, courses in the major must be taken for a letter
grade unless special permission has been granted by the dean or department
chair.
B. For
undergraduate students the grade of P (pass) indicates performance of
no less than C (2.0) on a conventional grading scale.
C. For
graduate students the grade of P indicates performance of no less than
B (3.0) on a conventional grading scale.
Senate
action and Provost approval, December 1982. Effective fall 1983.
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.03
Conditions for Auditing
Faculty
may establish standards of class participation and/or attendance for
auditing students. The posting symbol L (audit) will appear on the auditing
student's transcript unless the faculty member submits the symbol ZL
(administrative withdrawal from audit) on the final grade roster to
indicate that agreed‑upon standards were not met.
Senate
action and Provost approval, December 1987.
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.04
Incompletes
At the
professor's discretion, the grade of I (Incomplete) may be given to
a student who because of extenuating circumstances is unable to complete
the course during the semester. The grade of Incomplete may only be
given if the student is receiving a passing grade for the course work
completed. Arrangements for a grade of Incomplete must be made in advance
of the final exam. An Incomplete Contract Form detailing the work that
is to be submitted, the deadlines for such submission, and a default
grade to be substituted for the I should submission deadlines not be
met, is signed by both student and professor. Each keeps a copy and
a third copy is submitted by the professor, attached to the grade roster
of final grades, documenting the grade of I. No grade of I will be recognized
by the Office of the University Registrar without proper documentation
submitted according to the above procedure. Upon the completion of the
requirements of the course within the time specified on the Incomplete
Contract, the grade of I must be resolved to an A, A‑, B+, B,
B‑, C+, C, C‑, D, P, F, or ZF. Completion of such work may
not extend beyond the end of the regular semester following that in
which the I was given. Unless resolved by the professor to one of the
grades indicated above, the default grade specified on the Incomplete
Contract will be inserted in place of the I by the Registrar. A W may
not be given to remove a grade of I. An I may not stand as a permanent
grade. (For regulations pertaining to independent reading courses and
independent study projects, see 60.00.08, Independently Supervised Courses,
Grading.)
Senate
action and Provost approval, February 1980. Effective fall 1980.
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.05
Repetition of Courses
Whenever
a course is repeated, each attempt including the final grade is entered
separately on the permanent academic record. Unless specifically indicated
to the contrary, however, only one successful attempt of a course is
counted toward fulfillment of graduation credit requirements. With the
exception of the Freshman Forgiveness Rule and of graduate‑level
courses taken in nondegree status more than
seven years prior to admission to a graduate program, the grades received
in each attempt are computed separately in the cumulative grade point
average. (For calculation of graduate cumulative grade point averages,
see 55.00.02, Evaluation of Graduate Students: Grade Point Average.)
Senate
action and Provost approval, October 1982. Effective fall 1983.
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.06
Freshman Forgiveness Rule
A. A degree
or nondegree freshman student who, during
the first two semesters of full‑time undergraduate study, receives
a grade (or grades) of F or X may repeat the course (or courses) at
American University within the calendar year thereafter or in the next
two regular semesters in which the student is registered. If the course
is not given within the calendar year following the earned F or X, the
student may use the option at the time the course is next offered. No
grade shall be removed from the transcript, but when such a course is
repeated, only the grade earned the second time the course is taken
shall be used in computation of the cumulative average for university
purposes such as making decisions concerning probation, dismissal, and
required average for graduation.
B. The
part‑time degree or nondegree first‑year
undergraduate who, during his or her first 30 credit hours of study,
receives a grade (or grades) of F or X may repeat the course (or courses)
at American University within a calendar year after the semester in
which the grade (or grades) of F or X was received, with the resulting
cumulative average benefits stated in regulation 25.10.06.A.
C. Degree
and nondegree students who are readmitted
to the university before they have begun their third semester of college
work may, within the first or second semester after their readmission,
take courses in which they received an F or X during their first two
semesters at American University, with the resulting cumulative average
benefits stated in regulation 25.10.06.A.
D. The
foregoing regulations are not applicable to students who enter the university
as transfer students, including those who enter as transfer students
with freshman status.
E. It is
understood that this regulation is applicable only when the dean's office
of a teaching unit has so advised the student in writing.
F. It is
understood that students who bring to the university course work earned
through the Advanced Placement tests of the College Entrance Examination
Board, the College Level Examination Program, college course credit
earned before graduation from high school, and course work completed
during the summer immediately following high school graduation, are
not classified as transfers.
Manual
of Information, Regulations and Procedures, Section III, Academic Regulations,
third edition, pp. 8‑8b; Vice President for Academic Affairs,
September 1975.
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.07
Grade Point Average
A. Computation
of the cumulative grade point average includes only those courses taken
for conventional grades (A, A‑, B+, B, B‑, C+, C, C‑,
D, F, or X). The following courses are not included in the grade point
average: courses taken on a pass‑fail basis, courses numbered
below the 100 level, and courses with an incomplete grade. Credits accepted
on transfer from other institutions are included in the total number
of credit hours applicable to degree requirements, but grades earned
in such courses are not recorded on the permanent record at American
University, and are not used in computing the average needed for graduation.
Senate action and Provost approval, March 1989.
B. Grade
Point Average Requirements
An undergraduate
student must maintain a cumulative average of at least 2.0 (C), and
no grade of less than C will be accepted as satisfying the requirements
of the major or minor field or toward the satisfaction of the English
or mathematics requirement. A graduate student enrolled in a master's
or doctoral degree program must maintain a cumulative average of at
least 3.0 (B) in the program. (For calculation of graduate grade point
average, see 55.00.02, Evaluation of Graduate Students: Grade Point
Average.) An undergraduate nondegree student
must maintain an average of at least 2.0 (C) at all times. A graduate
nondegree student must maintain an average
of at least 3.0 (B) at all times.
Senate
action and Provost approval, March 1989.
C. The
maintenance of the requisite academic average does not in itself necessarily
imply that a student is making satisfactory progress in terms of the
university's overall expectations. When it appears to be in the best
interests of the university or of the student, the university reserves
the right to terminate, for cause, the enrollment of a student even
though the requisite academic average at the time is maintained.
D. An evaluation
of each undergraduate student's progress toward the degree will be made
by the dean's office after each semester. In addition to the cumulative
grade point average, this evaluation will consider completion of university
requirements and the ratio of courses satisfactorily completed to all
courses attempted by the student. Students who are not making satisfactory
progress toward the degree shall be advised in writing of the result
of the evaluation and shall be offered academic advisement if appropriate.
(See 25.10.11 Academic Good Standing for Undergraduates.)
Manual of Information, Regulations and Procedures, Section III, Academic
Regulations, third edition, pp. 8b‑8e.
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.08
Submission of Grade Reports
Faculty
members are expected to report grades to the Office of the University
Registrar through their dean's office within 72 hours after the scheduled
final examination period in each course and in any case, no later than
the due date for reports published as a part of the schedule in the
Schedule of Classes each session. The grade
reports are submitted via the faculty member's dean's office. It is
the responsibility of all dean's offices to secure grade reports from
instructors in their academic units, to ensure that these grade reports
are filled out completely and accurately, and to submit these grade
reports to the Registrar's Office by the designated deadline.
Faculty
are expected to report mid‑term warnings for any student registered
in an undergraduate‑level course whose progress in the course
is unsatisfactory due either to academic performance or non‑attendance
in class. Mid-term warnings conveyed by the course instructor to the
Registrar will be reported to students and their teaching units.
Senate
action, April 2000. Provost approval, May 2000.
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.09
Communication of Grades to Students
Final grade
records are maintained by the Office of the University Registrar and
are made available to students as early as possible. Instructors may
release grade results to their students in any manner which preserves
the confidential nature of grade information.
Senate
action, April 2000. Provost approval, May 2000.
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.10
Changes in Grades
A. A request
from a faculty member to change a grade which has been reported to the
University Registrar may be honored only under the following conditions:
1. When
there is certification in writing to the University Registrar that the
original grade was a clerical or computation error on the faculty member's
part. Such certifications will be routed through the teaching unit head
and that unit’s dean to the University Registrar.
2. When
a grade of I (Incomplete) has been given, the instructor may change
the grade to A, A‑, B+, B, B‑, C+, C, C‑, D, P, F,
or ZF (but not to W) upon completion or failure to complete the requirements
of the course within the time allowed, as described above. A request
from a faculty member to change a grade which has been reported cannot
be considered unless it is received by the University Registrar before
the closing date of the session after the one in which the course was
offered. (See 25.10.04, Incompletes.)
B. Grades
reported by faculty members are entered on the student's permanent record
and, once entered, they may not be removed or changed except under the
circumstances and within the time limits stated above. In the event
a grade change is authorized in accordance with university regulations,
the new grade will replace the former grade on the student's cumulative
record. Any comments or notes entered on the transcript to explain a
grade change may not be removed at a later time. (See also Academic
Regulation 50.00.02 Student Academic Grievances.)
Senate
action, April 2000. Provost approval, May 2000.
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.11
Academic Good Standing for Undergraduates
To be in
academic good standing means that a student maintains at least a 2.0
(C) grade point average at American University and is making satisfactory
progress toward a degree, i.e., is completing the course work for which
he or she has registered. Excessive unresolved incompletes constitute
grounds for discharging a student not in good standing, by action of
the appropriate dean.
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.12
Academic Probation and Dismissal
A. General
Regulations
1. A student
who fails to maintain the academic average required by the university
and/or fails to make satisfactory progress toward a degree (i.e., complete
satisfactorily in a reasonable time the courses necessary for graduation)
is subject to dismissal. An undergraduate student who does not fulfill
these criteria but who gives evidence of probable substantial improvement
may, under certain circumstances and at the discretion of the student’s
dean, be placed on academic probation for a specified period of time
in lieu of being dismissed. Nondegree students
are subject to dismissal at the end of any session during which their
cumulative grade point average falls below the required minimum. Graduate
students are subject to dismissal for failure to maintain the required
cumulative grade point average according to provisions detailed in regulations
55.00.02 and 55.00.11.
2. A student
who is dismissed may not be readmitted to the university or any of its
colleges and schools until a waiting period equivalent to a full calendar
year after the effective date of dismissal has passed.
3. Actions
involving academic probation and dismissal (but not academic warnings)
are entered on the student's permanent record and the removal of these
entries after they are made is not authorized.
B. Probation
and Dismissal of Undergraduate Students
1. An undergraduate
student who fails to achieve and maintain a 2.0 (C) average during the
first semester of full‑time study (or the equivalent in part‑time
study), is not in good academic standing and is subject to the academic
action of probation or dismissal. A student whose cumulative grade point
average after attempting or completing 24 credits (excluding courses
in which the recorded grade is W) falls below 1.0 (D) will be dismissed.
A student whose cumulative grade point average is at any time between
1.0 (D) and 2.0 (C) may be dismissed or, at the discretion of the student’s
dean, be placed on academic probation for one semester or one year.
Students on academic probation will be informed in writing of their
status, the period of probation, and any conditions imposed by the student’s
dean. Conditions may include, but are not limited to, regular meetings
with academic support staff members, successful completion of specific
courses, minimum grades in courses and/or the overall grade point average
to be achieved in the semester or year of probation. Students who fail
to meet the conditions of probation may anticipate dismissal at the
end of the probation period.
2. A student
on probation may be subject to restrictions as to the load for which
he or she may register. Such a student is ineligible to hold office
in student organizations or to participate in intercollegiate activities.
The student may, however, be permitted to participate in intercollegiate
athletics programs as of the end of a session in which the cumulative
grade point average is raised to 2.0 (C), even though technically still
on probation (as when probation is stated for a two‑semester term).
Also, a student may with permission of the student’s dean complete the
season of any collegiate sport in which he or she is participating at
the time he or she falls below a 2.0 cumulative average.
C. Decisions
with respect to probationary and dismissal actions are made by the colleges
and schools each January, June and August based on the student's academic
performance.
Senate
action, April 2000. Provost approval, May 2000.
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.13
Academic Honors
A. Each
college or school may issue a dean's list of its undergraduate honor
students at the end of each semester. The minimum standard for listing
is a 3.50 grade point average for the semester, earned in a full‑time
undergraduate program of not fewer than 15 completed credit hours of
which at least 12 hours must be completed for A‑F grade credit.
B. Graduation
honors will be of two kinds—Latin Honors based on cumulative grade point
average, and University Honors based on a combination of Honors course
work and cumulative grade point average. Undergraduate students are
eligible to graduate with honors provided they have completed at least
one‑half (at least 60 of the 120) of the credit hours required
for the degree in residence at American University and have achieved
the requisite grade point average. No more than 15 credit hours taken
on a pass/fail basis may be included in American University work applied
toward the degree with honors.
1. Latin
Honors will recognize general excellence based on the cumulative grade
point average, as follows:
summa
cum laude 3.90
or higher
magna
cum laude 3.70–3.89
cum
laude 3.50–3.69
2. The
University Honors Program is a comprehensive program of Honors options
drawn from the General Education curriculum and offerings of individual
departments.
a. Qualified
entering freshmen, transfer students, and current students are eligible
for admission to the program. Entering freshmen are admitted to the
program based upon excellence in their high school academic performance
and documented potential for high performance as undergraduate students.
Other students, including transfers, may be admitted to the program
at the discretion of the director of the University Honors Program if
they have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 on a 4.0
scale for the equivalent of at least one full academic year (30 credit
hours).
Senate action, May 2005. Provost approval, June 2005.
b. Students
entering the program as freshmen are required to complete a minimum
of 30 hours in designated Honors course work with a grade of B or better
in each of the Honors courses and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.
University Honors students take 12 to 18 hours of foundation-level work
from Honors sections of English, mathematics, statistics, General Education,
or department introductory courses. Six to 12 hours of advanced level
(300 or above) specialized Honors work is drawn from the Honors sections
of major or major-related courses, Honors supplements linked to courses
in the major or related fields, University Honors seminars, and Honors
independent study. All students complete an Honors senior capstone project
(3 to 6 hours).
Senate
action, December 2004. Provost approval, April 2005. Effective for students
admitted to the University Honors Program beginning fall 2005.
c. Students
who enter the University Honors Program after the freshman year are
not required to complete the full 30 hours of Honors course work. The
number of required hours is determined by the director of the University
Honors Program and reductions will be subtracted from foundation‑level
requirements. All students earning University Honors at graduation will
have completed both the advanced‑level requirement and the senior
capstone project.
d. Students
who complete all other requirements for University Honors including
12 hours of advanced‑level Honors work in the major department
(which may include capstone project credits) will, upon recommendation
by the department, receive University Honors in their major or majors.
Alternatively, students who fulfill the requirement of 12 hours of advanced
Honors work through University Honors seminars or through interdisciplinary
course work will graduate with University Honors.
C. Both
Latin Honors and University Honors will be designated on the diploma
and the student's permanent record.
Senate
action, April 2000. Provost approval, May 2000.
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