Note: American University does not rank its students.

The grade point average (GPA) listed at the end of each semester is for that semester only. The cumulative grade point average is shown only when a degree has been granted. The cumulative grade point average does not include course with grades other than A through F or courses covered by the Freshman Forgiveness Rule.* The graduate cumulative grade point average includes only graduate-level courses.

To calculate the cumulative grade point average, divide the sum of the quality points by the sum of semester hours:

GPA = Total Quality Points divided by Hours Attempted

Quality Points = Grade Point Value multiplied by Course Credit Value

Undergraduate and Graduate Grading System for Fall 2012 Forward:

Grade	Grade Point Value	Grade	Grade Point Value
A	4.00	C+	2.33
A-	3.67	C	2.00
B+	3.33	C-	1.67
B	3.00	D	1.00
B-	2.67	F, FX	0.00
The following grades are not calculated in the grade point average: I, IP, L, N, P, ZF, ZL, ZX

Washington College of Law Grading System for 1978 Forward:

Undergraduate and Graduate Grading System for 1978 - Summer 2012:

Grade	Grade Point Value	Grade	Grade Point Value
A	4.0	C+	2.3
A-	3.7	C	2.0
B+	3.3	C-	1.7
B	3.0	D	1.0
B-	2.7	F, X	0.0
The following grades are not calculated in the grade point average: I, IP, L, N, P, ZF, ZL, ZX

* During the first two semesters of full-time study a freshman or Washington Mentorship student may request Freshman Forgiveness for any two courses that have resulted in a grade of C- or lower. Part-time students may request Freshman Forgiveness during the first 30 credit hours. Only the second grade is computed in the cumulative grade point average. Students are not eligible for Freshman Forgiveness if they received a sanction of a grade of F in the course due to a violation of the Academic Integrity Code.

Sample Semester Calculation (Fall 2012 forward)

Total Quality Points = 51.66
Hours Attempted (not including 2 credits for P grade) = 15

51.6 / 15 = 3.44

GPA = 3.44

Note: The GPA is truncated after the second digit. It is not rounded off.

Sample Semester Calculation (1978 - Summer 2012)

Total Quality Points = 51.6
Hours Attempted (not including 2 credits for P grade) = 15

51.6 / 15 = 3.44

GPA = 3.44

Note: The GPA is truncated after the second digit. It is not rounded off.

 

Between fall 1970 and fall 1978

Transcripts include undergraduate courses taken under the course unit system. Total all the course units and multiply by four, and then add to the total number of semester hours:

GPA = quality points divided by semester hours + (course units x 4)

Before fall 1970 

A 3-point grading scale was used. Also all work attempted (as distinct from satisfactorily completed) was included in the calculation as "hours attempted." To combine the 3-point and 4 -point systems, the following formula is used:

GPA = [quality points + hours attempted (3 point systems) + quality points (4-point system)] divided by [hours attempted (3-point system) + hours attempted (4-point system)]