Grade Scale

The grade of a student in any course is determined by the instructor of the course. The following grades are authorized for recording on the student's official undergraduate academic record maintained by the University Registrar's Office.

Grades	Description	Grade Points per term hour
A	Excellent Scholarship	4.000
A-	Excellent Scholarship	3.700
B+	Good Scholarship	3.300
B	Good Scholarship	3.000
B-	Good Scholarship	2.700
C+	Fair Scholarship	2.300
C	Fair Scholarship	2.000
C-	Fair Scholarship	1.700
D+	Poor Scholarship	1.300
D	Poor Scholarship	1.000
D-	Poor Scholarship	0.700
F	Fail	0.000
P, CR, S	Pass, Credit, Satisfactory	*
I	Incomplete	*
NC, U	No Credit Received, Unsatisfactory	*
X	No Grade Received in Registrar's Office	*
W	Withdrew	*

Note: Asterisks denote grades not included in a student's GPA.

Grade of F, D, W, and Missing/Blank

Failing is graded F. If the student’s work is incomplete, poor quality and not acceptable, a grade of F will be given. After such a grade, credit may be obtained only by repeating the course.

The grade of D represents performance below average expectations. Students receiving a D in a course that is a prerequisite to another course should consult with their advisers about repeating the course so that they will be adequately prepared for work in the following course. Courses passed with a grade of D, D- or D+ will generally not count toward major or minor requirements.

The grade of W cannot be recorded unless completion of the official drop or withdrawal process has occurred by the applicable deadline during the term of enrollment. Only the grade of W may be recorded if the student has officially dropped courses from the schedule or withdrawn (resigned) from the University for the term. The grade of W may not be revoked or changed to another grade because the act of officially dropping/withdrawing is irrevocable.

A final official grade must be recorded for each enrollment. An F will be assigned for a missing or blank grade indicating an official grade has not been received from the instructor. Graduation candidates must receive a grade for all course enrollments prior to the deadline on the Official University Calendar. Failure to do so can result in removal from the degree candidacy list and/or the assignment of a grade of F.

Grade Point Average

A student’s grade point average (cumulative GPA) is computed by multiplying the credit hours of each course attempted by the grade points earned in the particular course and then dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of hours attempted, excluding those hours for which grades are shown with an asterisk on the grade chart. The GPA is truncated, not rounded, at three decimal places.

For assistance estimating a student’s GPA, see the GPA calculator on the SMU website.

Undergraduate Grade Policies

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