Grades and the Grading System

Regular Grades:

A, B, C, D, and E constitute the regular grades used at the University of Arizona.  Regular grades are included in the calculation of the grade-point-average (GPA).  

The majority of courses at the University are graded with regular grades.  Exceptions include:  most house-numbered courses (independent study, colloquium, etc), and some law, medicine, pharmacy and public health courses.  Courses using alternative grades are designated as such in the course descriptions.
 

Alternative Grading:

(Policy updated 5/2/08 with the addition of S, P, F grading system)

S (superior) and P (pass) grades are used in place of regular grades A and B, respectively, for courses graded S, P, C, D, E and S, P, E, K.   S and P grades are NOT included in the calculation of the GPA, nor do they count toward meeting the criteria for dean's list, honorable mention, or academic distinctions.

S, P, C, D, E grading:  for several house numbered courses (proseminar, colloquium, etc), one of the grading systems available is the combination of special and regular grades (S, P, C, D, E).  *

S, P, E, K grading:  some 900-level house numbered courses use this grading system.  In these cases, the grades S and P are used in place of regular grades A and B, respectively, and students not attaining B level course work receive the failing grade of E.  See K Course in Progress below.

S, P, F grading:  For the majority of individual studies courses, the only grades available are the special grades of S, P, F.  Grades of S (superior), P (pass), and F (fail) are not included in the calculation of the GPA, nor do they count toward meeting the criteria for dean's list, honorable mention, or academic distinctions.

Medical grades:  all 800-level courses offered by the College of Medicine are graded on an honors/pass/fail system (S, P, F, K).  See the Medicine Catalog for more information.

Law grades:  law students please consult the College of Law.

* NOTE: For house numbered courses with a choice of grading systems (senior capstone, colloquium, etc.), an instructor may have the option of awarding regular grades only (A,B,C,D,E) or the combination of special and regular grades (S,P,C,D,E), as departmental policy dictates.  However, in any single class offering, all registrants must be graded by the same system.

K Grade, Course in Progress:

K for non-900-level courses:  if a course requires more than one term for completion, the grade of K is awarded for each term except the final term.  The final term is awarded a non-K grade appropriate to the grading scheme for the course (see regular and alternative grading above).  For example, a course that continues for 3 terms would receive the permanent grade of K for the first 2 terms, while the final term would receive a non-K grade appropriate to the grading scheme for the course.  Course re-registration is not required.

K grade for 900 through 925 house numbered courses and graduate level English writing project courses (e.g. ENGL 501, 604, & 609):  the grade of K is awarded by the instructor for each term when the course continues for longer than one term.  Once the course is completed the K grades are replaced with permanent non-K grades appropriate to the grading scheme for the course.  For example, a course that continues for 3 terms would receive temporary K grades for the first 2 terms.   When the course is completed successfully in the 3rd term all 3 terms then receive the same permanent non-K grade appropriate to the grading scheme for the course.  Students must register for these courses each term, as needed.  Time-limit for completion of such work for full credit for the master's degree is 6 years; for the doctoral degree, 10 years.

K grade for 930 house numbered courses:  the grade of K is awarded for each term except the final term.  The final term is awarded a grade of CR (credit) upon completion of degree requirements.  Example:  for a student enrolled in a 930 course for 6 terms, the first 5 terms would receive permanent grades of K, and the final term would receive a permanent grade of CR.  Students must register for 930 courses each term, as needed.

Pass/Fail Option:

NOTE: The Graduate Pass/Fail Policy changed for all students, effective Fall 2010. See the updated policy in the 2010-11 Catalog.

For certain courses, a qualified student may elect to register under the pass/fail option. Under such registration, the only final grades available to the student are P (pass) or F (fail).  To receive the grade of P, the student must be doing work comparable to a D or better.  If a course is taken under the pass/fail option, the grade of P or F will be permanently recorded.  If the course is passed, the units of credit will be applied toward graduation.  Pass/fail grades are NOT included in the GPA.

Undergraduate students may elect to take courses under the pass/fail option only after they have attained sophomore standing and only if they have earned grade-point-averages (GPAs) of 2.000 or better.  

Courses taken under the pass/fail option must be electives only, and may not be used to fulfill general education, major, minor, or other specified curriculum requirements.

Students registering for a course under the pass/fail option must meet the prerequisites or otherwise satisfy the instructor of their ability to take the course.

Undergraduate students may register under the pass/fail option for not more than 2 courses per semester up to a maximum of 12 courses.  Further, they must carry a minimum of 12 course units graded with regular grades during each term in which they take courses under the pass/fail option.  Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the student's academic dean.

Students may change from pass/fail enrollment to enrollment for a regular grade, or vice versa, only during the time period prior to the last day of the fourth calendar week (Fall and Spring) during which classes are held, except with special permission of the student's college dean.

Each department decides which of its courses will be available under the pass/fail option.  Further, the instructor of the course must approve of its being offered pass/fail. The instructor shall be informed by the Office of the Registrar which students are enrolled under the pass/fail option.

Courses that are available for pass/fail are designated as such in the Schedule of Classes as "Available: Pass/Fail."

Student Teaching:  pass/fail grades are the only grades available for FSHD 489, TTE 493A, and TTE 493B. Enrollment in these courses will not reduce the amount for which a student can otherwise enroll under the pass/fail option.

Graduate students:  the pass/fail option is not generally available to graduate students. The only exceptions to this proscription are: (a) admission deficiencies which the student has prior specific, written approval to take on a pass/fail basis (only the department head or the departmental graduate adviser may give such approval, which must be on file in the Graduate College before registration); (b) any undergraduate non-deficiency course available for pass/fail grading; and (c) any course offered by the College of Law.

I  Incomplete Grade:
(Policy updated May 26, 2004: circumstances when the “I” grade is not to be awarded; June 12, 2007:  circumstance for filing General Petition.)

The grade of I may be awarded only at the end of a term, when all but a minor portion of the course work has been satisfactorily completed. The grade of I is not to be awarded in place of a failing grade or when the student is expected to repeat the course; in such a case, a grade other than I must be assigned.  Students should make arrangements with the instructor to receive an incomplete grade before the end of the term.

Instructors are encouraged to use the Report of Incomplete Grade form as a contract with the student as to what course work must be completed by the student for the I grade to be removed and replaced with a grade. On the form, the instructor states:  (1) which assignments or exams should be completed and when; (2) how this work will be graded; and (3) how the student's course grade will be calculated. Both the instructor and student sign this agreement and both should retain copies.

After the course work is completed, the instructor should assign the appropriate grade on a Change of Grade form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar for processing. After processing, the new grade will be included in the calculation of the GPA.

If the incomplete grade is not removed by the instructor within one year (the last day of finals one year later), the I grade will convert to a failing grade. For undergraduate courses, the one-year limit may be extended for one additional year if, prior to converting to an E, the extension is approved by the instructor and the dean of the college in which the student is registered. This extension requires the instructor and dean's signature on a Petition for Extension of Course Work.  Notification of the dean's approval or denial is to be provided to the student by the dean's office.  A copy of the approved or denied Petition must then be forwarded from the dean's office to the Office of the Registrar, Administration 210, for appropriate processing.  Once the I has converted to an E, a one-year extension will only be considered if the student submits an appeal to the University General Petition Committee.  Additionally, a request for an extension of time beyond 2 academic years of the original course enrollment requires approval by the General Petition Committee.  For courses taken for graduate credit, such approval may be granted only by the Graduate College.

W  Withdrawal, Dropping a Course:

Prior to the end of the fourth week of classes (Fall and Spring), official withdrawal (drop) of a course cancels the registration for the course. A dean’s approval is not required. No grade for the course will appear on the student’s permanent record. 

During weeks five through eight, the grade of W is awarded to students who are passing at the time of withdrawal. The grade of E may be awarded to students not passing at the time of withdrawal. Either W or E will show on the student’s permanent record.

After the eighth week of classes, the grade of W can be awarded only with the approval of the student’s academic dean, and only under exceptional circumstances. The W may also be awarded in the case of complete withdrawal from the University.

WP and WF  Withdrawal, Complete Withdrawal from the University:

In the case of complete Withdrawal from the University, if a student withdraws before the end of the 4^th week of classes in Fall or Spring (end of the 1^st week in Summer), no classes show on the student's transcript for the term. If a student withdraws from the University between the 5^th week of classes in Fall or Spring (2^nd week in Summer) and the last day of classes for the term, the faculty member for each course may assign a grade of WP (withdrawal while passing) or WF (withdrawal while failing).  Withdrawal grades are NOT included in the GPA. The refund schedule is listed for each term in the Registration Dates and Deadlines calendar.

O  Audit Grade:

The grade of O is awarded for courses taken for audit.  Audit grades are not awarded unless the student is registered for audit.  (In the case of COOP 100, students are automatically registered for audit.)   Audit grades are NOT included in the GPA.  See the audit policy for details and the use of WO and XO grades.

CR  Credit:

The grade of CR is a passing grade awarded for courses taken by Special Examination for Credit.  Failing grades are not recorded.  The CR grade is NOT included in the GPA.

CR grade for 930 house numbered courses:  the grade of CR is awarded upon completion of degree requirements.  Also see K grade for 930 courses above.

(Blank)  No Grade Submitted:
(Policy updated May 13, 2004: Change 'Y' to Blank indicator for no grade submitted.)

Related Topics:

• Access Your Grades
• Grade-Point-Average (GPA) Calculation
• Change of Grade
• Grade-Related Policies