47-00, 48-00, and 49-00 Grades
47-20 Basis for Grades
Grades shall be assigned to individual students on the basis of the instructor’s professional judgment of the student’s scholastic achievement as set forth in Section 47-60. The instructor should provide written (paper or electronic form) notification of the basis for grades to students on or before the first class meeting. Any changes in that basis should likewise be presented to students in writing. Instructors also should provide evaluations of student progress in advance of the late-drop deadline in order for students to make an informed decision about ways to improve their performance or, as a last option, to late drop the course.
For grade assignments related to cases of academic dishonesty, refer to Section 49-20 (sanction on grades) and G-9 academic integrity procedures.
G-10 Grade Mediation and Adjudication
R-5 Syllabus
Revised: 6/1/76
Revised: 9/8/77
Revised: 5/25/82
Revised: 5/3/83
Revised: 1/31/84
Revised: 12/4/01
Revised Editorially: 4/10/07
Revised: 9/10/13
Revised: 4/19/16 – Effective Fall 2016 – Archive
47-40 Grading System
XF grade–see 49-20 for assignment, designates a disciplinary sanction assigned due to academic misconduct.
Revised: 1/9/73 (as Rule M-2)
Revised: 10/14/75
Revised: 1/6/76
Revised: 9/11/84
Revised: 10/2/84
Revised: 4/30/85
Revised: 10/8/95
Revised: 1/23/90
Revised Editorially: 1/11/05
Revised Editorially: 4/10/07
Revised: 3/16/10
Revised: 10/27/15-Effective Fall 2016 – Archive
47-45 Grading System for M.D. Candidates
The grading system for candidates enrolled in M.D. programs shall be reported as follows:
| Honors | (H)–Honors Grades (Outstanding Work) |
|---|---|
| High Pass | (HP)–High Passing Grade |
| Pass | (P)–Passing Grade |
| Low Pass | (LP)–Low Passing Grade |
| Fail | (F)–Failing Grade |
This grading system is limited to candidates for the medical degree taking 400- and 500-level preclinical courses and 700-level clinical courses. The “Low Pass (LP)” grade is for 700-level clinical courses only (Years 3 and 4).
Initial Legislation: 10/14/75
Revised: 1/6/76
Revised: 9/12/89
Revised: 10/10/89
Revised: 10/26/04
47-60 Definition of Grades
For undergraduates and graduates the grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D, and F indicate a gradation in quality from Excellent to Failure and are assigned the following grade-point equivalents:
| Grade | Grade-Point Equivalent |
|---|---|
| A | 4 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2 |
| D | 1 |
| F | 0 |
Revised: 3/7/57 (as Rule M-3)
Revised: 4/11/72 (as Rule M-3)
Revised: 1/9/73 (as Rule M-3)
Revised: 6/1/76
Revised: 4/30/85
47-70 Online Student Progress Report
To help students evaluate and improve their academic performance, instructors should submit early progress reports for all undergraduates in courses numbered 499 and below. Prior to the late-drop deadline in a given semester, instructors should complete online early progress reports, especially noting whether a student is in danger of earning a grade of less than C. Because academic success is a shared effort, it is the expectation that students take appropriate actions as outlined in any early progress report received. Early progress reports are sent via email to students and their assigned academic adviser.
G-7 Student Progress Reporting
(Formerly Mid-semester Evaluation)
Revised: 9/13/83
Revised: 4/28/87
Revised: 4/29/08
Revised Editorially: 9/1/09
Revised: 4/29/14
Revised: 3/14/17
47-80 Repeating Courses
A student is limited to repeat a course only when a grade of less that C was obtained, for a maximum of two (2) attempts. Attempts are defined as earning a grade in a class or late-dropping the class. Any exceptions to these rules must be approved by the appropriate academic official within a student’s college of enrollment.
In situations where a student withdraws from the University (Policy 56-30) these courses will not be counted as one of the two allowed attempts on given courses.
The grades earned during all attempts in a course appear on the transcript. Any course repeated under this policy will be counted no more than once for entrance to major and graduation requirements. For up to 12 repeated credits, the most recent grade is used in the computation of the cumulative grade-point average.
This policy does not apply to courses designated as “repeatable.”
Revised: 12/11/73 (as Rule M-3B)
Revised: 2/5/74 (as Rule M-3B)
Revised: 10/14/75
Revised: 11/11/75
Revised: 12/9/75
Revised: 10/6/81
Revised: 10/27/15 – Effective Fall 2016 – Archive
Revised: 4/24/18
Revised: 4/24/18 – Effective Summer 2021 (three attempts to two attempts)
Revised: 4/28/2020
C-7 Course Repeats
H-2 Undergraduate Grade Forgiveness (effective Summer 2020)
48-20 Failure to Complete a Course
- When a student officially drops a course after the course drop period, a symbol of LD, according to the policies of Sections 34-89, is to be reported.
- When a student registers for a course but ceases to attend class without officially dropping the course, the student is to be given a grade of F in the course.
- When a student officially withdraws from the University in accordance with Section 56-30, the symbol W shall be reported for each course, unless an accusation of academic dishonesty has been made against the withdrawing student. In such a case, Section 49-20 supersedes the assignment of the symbol W in that course.
- A symbol of AUU shall be recorded for unsatisfactory attendance in an audited course in accordance with Section 48-80.
Revised: 1/9/73 (as Rule M-4)
Revised: 9/8/77
Revised: 3/16/10
Revised: 10/27/15 – Effective Fall 2016 – Archive
48-30 Corrected Grades
A corrected grade may be submitted by the instructor for a course taken in a previous semester to correct a mistake made in calculating or recording a grade for a particular student. Each student is responsible for checking the semester grade report for accuracy immediately upon receipt and for informing the instructor of any course in which the student suspects an error has been made in grading. Each instructor is responsible for checking the semester grade list after grades have been recorded for a previous semester.
If an error in calculating or recording a grade is brought to an instructor’s attention, the instructor may request a grade change authorization form to correct the error. This form must be signed by the instructor. No grade change can be made more than one year after the end of the semester in which the course was taken.
When a course instructor is no longer available to resolve an error in calculating or recording a grade, the instructor’s department head is authorized to take the necessary action.
Initial Legislation: 1/6/76
Revised: 10/6/81
Revised: 5/25/82
Revised: 10/17/17
48-40 Deferred Grades
A student who is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, may request permission from their instructor to defer their grade. If approved, the student and instructor should develop a course completion plan, stating expectations of required coursework, deadlines/due dates, and/or other necessary aspects of the outstanding requirements which need to be completed and met in order to satisfy the academic objectives of the course and comply with the student’s major requirements. Students should also meet with their academic adviser to discuss potential implications on their academic progress. Students will have up to ten weeks from the final grade reporting deadline to complete outstanding course requirements.
The symbol DF appears on the student’s transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started.
Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization from the academic unit which offered the course and assigned the instructor is required from one of the following: the dean, appropriate associate dean, or academic officer of the student’s commonwealth campus.
In certain courses where normal work of the course extends beyond the scheduled period, deferment may be granted routinely for all students in the course if prior approval of the Senate Committee on Curricular Affairs has been obtained. If an entire course’s work cannot be accomplished due to an emergency circumstance, such as a prolonged campus closure, and said work cannot be completed online, the instructor may opt to assign the entire class a deferred grade and create a completion plan.
Ten weeks after the grade reporting deadline, a deferred grade that is not changed to a quality grade by the instructor is automatically changed to an F by the Registrar’s Office and is factored into the semester and cumulative GPA. A deferred grade that is automatically converted to an F can later be corrected in accordance with Senate Policy 48-30. An instructor may request an extension of the DF deadline by submitting the Deferred Grade Extension form prior to the DF deadline.
Students are strongly advised to research and discuss all implications that selection of the Deferred Grade option may have upon entrance to major requirements, major, minor, general education and other degree requirements, financial aid eligibility, international student visas, honor roll, scholarship and graduation distinctions, graduate school applications, job and internship applications, and any other scenarios in which academic records may impact future life scenarios. Students should always work with academic advisers (whether faculty or primary-role) within their respective college, campus, or unit as well as with career and graduate school counselors and others student support professionals in considering use of the Deferred Grade option.
Students with DF on their transcripts will not be allowed to graduate.
Definitions:
Deferred Grade – DF; assigned by instructor in place of course grade until outstanding work is completed; students have up to 10 weeks from the final grade reporting deadline to complete work
No Grade – NG; no official grade assigned by instructor; should be reconciled within five weeks following the grade reporting deadline
Revised: 1/9/73 (as Rule O-4)
Revised: 1/6/76
Revised: 1/29/85
Revised: 3/26/85
Revised 4/30/85
Revised Editorially: 2/4/05
Revised Editorially: 3/12/08
Revised: 10/20/09
Revised: 3/15/11
Revised Editorially: 8/30/11
Revised: 4/29/14
Revised: 12/6/16
Revised: 4/26/22
Revised Editorially: 10/18/22
48-50 No Grade (NG)
If an instructor does not submit a grade for a student by the grade-reporting deadline and a deferred grade was not requested and approved (see policy 48-40), the symbol NG (no grade) appears on the student’s transcript until a grade is submitted.
The NG is to be reconciled within five weeks following the grade reporting deadline. If a grade is not forthcoming by that deadline, the registrar’s office shall automatically change the NG to an F.
A NG grade that is automatically converted to an F can later be corrected in accordance with Senate Policy 48-30. Students with NG on their transcripts will not be allowed to graduate.
Definitions:
Deferred Grade – DF; assigned by instructor in place of course grade until outstanding work is completed; students have up to 10 weeks from the final grade reporting deadline to complete work
No Grade – NG; no official grade assigned by instructor; should be reconciled within five weeks following the grade reporting deadline
Initial Legislation: 4/26/88
Revised: 3/15/11
Revised Editorially: 8/30/11
Revised: 12/6/16
Revised Editorially: 10/18/22
48-80 Symbols for Course Audit
Revised: 10/27/15-Effective Fall 2016 -Archive
49-20 Academic Integrity
Definition and expectations: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University’s Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.
Academic integrity includes a commitment by all members of the University community not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.
To protect the rights and maintain the trust of honest students and support appropriate behavior, faculty and administrators should regularly communicate high standards of integrity and reinforce them by taking reasonable steps to anticipate and deter acts of dishonesty in all assignments (Senate Policy 44-40: Proctoring of Examinations). At the beginning of each course, it is the responsibility of the instructor to provide students with a statement clarifying the application of University and College academic integrity policies to that course.
Committee on Academic Integrity: Each College Dean (or Chancellor as determined by College policy) shall appoint a Committee on Academic Integrity made up of faculty, students, and academic administrators with faculty being the majority. This committee shall:
Promote expectations for academic integrity consistent with the definition in this policy.
Ensure fairness and consistency in processes and outcomes. To ensure University-wide consistency, College Committees will work with the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response and the Office of the Provost of the University to develop procedures for handling and sanctioning dishonesty infractions.
Review and settle all contested cases in which academic sanctions are applied. If necessary, further disciplinary action will be taken by the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
Record all cases of academic dishonesty within a college and report them to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
Revised: 3/6/58
Revised: 9/8/77
Revised: 1/31/84
Revised: 2/28/84
Revised: 4/27/99
Revised: 10/26/99
Revised: 2/29/00
Revised Editorially: 4/10/07
Revised Editorially: 7/6/11
Revised Editorially: 11/17/22 (Office of Student Conduct name change)
49-40 Research Grades
In specifically designated variable-credit courses in which it is expected that students register for more than one semester, the instructor may report the symbol R (Research) in place of a grade. This symbol indicates that the student has devoted an adequate amount of time and effort to the work, but has given no indication of its quality. Upon completion of the work, the instructor reports an appropriate grade that applies to all prior credits so scheduled and will replace the R symbol(s) on the transcript. All affected grade-point averages are recomputed and entered. A course with an unresolved R grade may remain on the transcript after graduation, but may not be used to fulfill graduation requirements.
Revised editorially: 12/7/10
49-60 Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory--Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Candidates
Revisions to this policy were approved at the September 14, 2021 Senate meeting. These revisions are pending implementation procedures. View Report.
A limited number of courses may be taken for credit by any baccalaureate or associate degree candidates under the satisfactory/unsatisfactory (SA/UN) grading system, subject to regulations of the college and the limits of the degree program in which the candidate is enrolled. General Education courses may not be taken under the satisfactory/unsatisfactory option. Certain courses may be designated to be offered only under the SA/UN grading system at the request of an academic unit and after the approval of the Senate Curricular Affairs Committee.
- Each candidate, depending on the requirements and limitations of the candidate’s college, may schedule courses under the SA/UN grading system up to a maximum of 12 credits for baccalaureate degree candidates and 6 credits for associate degree candidates.
- A candidate in the Division of Undergraduate Studies may take courses under the SA/UN grading system. The candidate should confirm that the regulations of the proposed program of study are not violated.
- No candidate may take more than two courses per semester on this basis.
- Once the SA/UN grading system form is submitted, the candidate cannot revert to a conventional (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D, F) grade after 21 calendar days.
- Conventional grades submitted by the instructor to the Office of the University Registrar are recorded as SA, meaning satisfactory achievement or better (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C), or UN, indicating unsatisfactory achievement (D, F), where applicable.
- If the grade is UN, a course may be taken again but only under the conventional grading system.
- Courses abroad may not be taken under the SA/UN grading system except under highly unusual circumstances and then only with the advance authorization of the Office of Education Abroad Programs.
- Credits taken in courses offered only under the SA/UN grading system will not be counted toward any SA/UN credit limit imposed elsewhere in these rules.
G-6 Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Initial Legislation: 1/16/68 (as Rule M-12)
Revised: 5/6/69 (as Rule M-12)
Revised: 1/11/72
Revised: 4/11/72
Revised: 5/5/75
Revised: 10/14/75
Revised: 11/11/75
Revised: 1/6/76
Revised: 5/5/81
Revised: 9/13/83
Revised: 3/25/86
49-70 Supplemental Satisfactory Grade/Passing Grade/No Grade Grading System - Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Candidates
Senate Policy 49-70 may be temporarily enabled by the University Faculty Senate to supplement Senate Policy 49-60 “Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory–Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Candidates” under a situation of special Senate concern. When enacted, there is no limit to the number of courses that may be taken for credit by any baccalaureate or associate degree candidates under the satisfactory grade/passing grade/no grade (SAT/V/Z) optional and temporary grading system, subject to regulations of the college and the limits of the degree program in which the candidate is enrolled; the SAT/V/Z grading system option also applies to General Education courses; the SAT/V/Z grading system option is available only for the designated semester to candidates after conventional grades have been submitted by instructors. Courses may not be offered under the SAT/V/Z grading system.
- Each candidate, depending on the requirements and limitations of the candidate’s college or unit of enrollment, may select the SAT/V/Z grading system option for any currently enrolled course. The candidate should confirm that the regulations of the proposed program of study are not violated.
- Once the SAT/V/Z grading system option is selected, the candidate cannot revert to a conventional (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D, F) grade, except by petition to the Faculty Senate.
- After conventional grades are submitted by the instructor to the Office of the University Registrar, candidates have to option to have their conventional grades for each eligible class recorded as SAT, replacing a satisfactory grade or better (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C), V, replacing a passing grade (D), or Z, replacing a failing grade (F) and being treated as a late drop/no grade, where applicable.
- If the grade is SAT, V, or Z, a course may be taken again.
- The SAT/V/Z grading system option applies to courses taken abroad.
- This policy applies to courses taken for credit by any baccalaureate or associate degree candidates in the same (single) semester in which the policy is passed as formal legislation by the University Faculty Senate. Some programs, including IUG programs, may have specific requirements on which courses are eligible for the SAT/V/Z grading option. Students should discuss the requirements of their program with their academic adviser.
- If the grade is SAT, V, or Z, it will not be used in computing grade points.
Initial Legislation: 4/7/20
Enabled: Spring 2020
Enabled: Fall 2020
Enabled: Spring 2021