Grades & Grading Options

Undergraduates

Catalog Reference - Grades & Grading Policies

Catalog Reference - Academic Terminology

grade grade points per unit
A 4.00
A- 3.67
B+ 3.33
B 3.00
B- 2.67
C+ 2.33
C 2.00
D+ 1.33
D 1.00
F 0.00
FX 0.00

Graduates

Catalog Reference

grade grade points per unit
A 4.00
A- 3.67
B+ 3.33
B 3.00
C 2.00
F 0.00

Grades

The grade of S denotes work of 2.00 level or higher has been completed. A grade of U denotes work below 2.00. S and U grades are not calculated in students’ GPAs.

The grade of S in graduate courses denotes that work of 3.00 level or higher has been completed. A grade of U is given to students whose work is below 3.00.

NOTE: A grade of S in the thesis/project/dissertation continuum is given when a student has a grade of IP (in progress) for thesis/project/dissertation and is making satisfactory progress, but has not completed the requirements of the thesis/project/dissertation. Once the student has successfully completed the requirements of the thesis/project/dissertation course, the IP grade for the course is changed to S.

The grade of PS (Pass) is assigned to a course selected on the Pass grading option when students earn a C grade or higher. Students who elect the Pass grading option and earn a grade of D+ or below will have that grade recorded on the permanent record and used in calculation of the GPA.

Students may use the Pass grading option for Core courses that require a C or higher unless the course is also required for their major/minor.

The grade of PE is assigned to those courses passed under the Credit for Prior Experience/Learning option. All grades are recorded on students’ permanent records, but are not calculated in students’ GPAs.

The grade of FX is calculated in students’ GPAs. A grade of FX is given to students who never attend class or who stop attending during the term without officially withdrawing. (If students have officially withdrawn, a grade of W will appear on the final class roster.) A grade of FX is given to students who stop attending before they have completed more than half of the course work. Students who attend most classes but miss the final examination without a legitimate excuse, will receive a zero or F grade for the final examination and have that value or grade calculated with other grades earned during the term to determine the final grade.

The grade of W is administrative, nonpunitive and is not calculated in students’ GPAs. A grade of W is given to students who officially withdraw from a course by the published withdrawal deadline each term. It is also given to students who obtain authorization from the Academic Standards Committee to withdraw from a course or courses after the deadline. Such withdrawals must be based on documented medical difficulties or verifiable circumstances beyond students’ control.

Selecting this option may affect financial aid. Refer to this guide for Drops & Withdrawals.

IP (in progress) - assigned for the thesis or dissertation that is in progress but not yet completed. When the thesis/dissertation is completed, the IP grades are changed to S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory). See S or U guidelines for thesis or dissertation continuum.

The grade of I (Incomplete) is given to students by their instructors when verifiable circumstances prevent students from completing a course within the term. The I grade should be given only in cases where students have completed most of the term and have a reasonable expectation of successfully completing the work required. It should not be given at a point earlier in the term when a withdrawal is appropriate. Please refer to the Incomplete Grade page for more information.

Requests for Grade Changes

Requests for late grade changes, excluding I grades and repeated courses, must be submitted by the instructor within one year. After one year, requests for grade changes will be reviewed by the Registrar's office and students may be required to petition and provide documentation to the Academic Standards Committee.

Disagreements Related to Grading

GRADE APPEALS FOR A PARTICULAR PIECE OF WORK

Students who feel an earned grade for a particular piece of work is unjust must address their disagreement first with the course instructor who is primarily responsible for assigning grades. When the student has a dispute with the determination made by the course instructor, the student may appeal to the department chair and then the dean of the academic college. The decision of the academic dean is final. Students who wish to initiate the appeal process must do so by the end of the following fall or spring term.

GRADE APPEAL FOR GRADES AS OUTLINED ON THE COURSE SYLLABUS

Students who feel an earned grade was inconsistent with the terms set forth by the instructor at the beginning of the term, normally outlined in the course syllabus, must address their disagreement first with the course instructor who is primarily responsible for assigning the grades. When students have a dispute with the determination made by the course instructor, they may appeal to the department chair, the dean of the academic college, then the Academic Standards Committee via the Registrar's Office. The decision of the Academic Standards Committee is final. Students who wish to initiate the appeal process must do so by the end of the following fall or spring term.

Unsuccessful Term/Academic Clemency

The following guidelines determine approval of the declaration of an Unsuccessful Term:

  • Five full academic years must have elapsed since the term in question and graduation has not occurred.
  • Students must have completed at least 24 units of 2.00-level work at TU since the term in question.
  • Only one Unsuccessful Term can be granted in a student’s academic career.

Students wishing to request an unsuccessful term on their academic record must submit an appeal to the Academic Standards Committee.

Repeating Courses

Catalog Reference - Repeating Courses

The lower grade will remain on the record with a repeat included or excluded message, whichever is appropriate. Students may not make a third attempt of a course except with prior approval. Students must complete a Petition for a Third Attempt Form and submit it to the Registrar’s Customer Service Center, Enrollment Services, Room 223, before registering for the course. Grades of W are administrative and are not considered as part of the repeated course procedure. Courses that have been accepted previously for transfer credit by TU or have been attempted or completed for units at TU may not be repeated at other institutions.

When courses are repeated, students will receive credit for the course only once. Only the higher of the two grades will be calculated in the GPA. The lower grade will remain on the record with the letter R preceding (e.g., RF, RX, RD, etc.) to indicate the course has been repeated.

Courses in which low or failing grades were earned at TU MUST be repeated at TU in order for the record to be adjusted and the GPA to be recalculated.

GPA Calculator

The GPA calculator allows you to determine how your current term will affect your overall GPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average - CGPA). You use it before grades are posted in order to predict your CGPA.

Catalog Reference - Pass and Auditing Options

Pass and Audit options can be selected through the end of the withdrawal period for each term. Refer to the Academic Calendar for deadlines.

Pass Grading Option

Students may request to enroll in certain undergraduate courses with the Pass (PS) grading basis. The Pass (PS) option is intended to provide students with the opportunity to explore a broad range of coursework, with no effect on the cumulative grade point average (GPA) provided that they earn a minimum grade of C (2.00) in the courses for which they have requested this option.

The Pass Option is subject to the following conditions:

  • Students who earn a minimum grade of C (2.00) will have a grade of PS (Pass) assigned for courses in which they have selected the Pass (PS) grading option. Students who earn a grade of D+ (1.33) or below will have the appropriate regular letter grade (D+, D or F) assigned.
  • Regular letter grades of D+, D or F earned for courses in which the Pass (PS) option is selected are calculated into and affect the cumulative grade point average (GPA). Grades of PS (Pass) are not calculated into and do not affect the cumulative GPA.
  • A maximum of 13 units of coursework graded PS (Pass) may be applied toward an undergraduate degree.
  • The Pass (PS) option is not available for courses required for completion of a student’s declared major, minor, or Honors College coursework.
  • Students may request the Pass (PS) grading option for free electives and Core courses (including those that require a minimum C (2.00) grade) that are not required for their major or minor.

To request the Pass (PS) option, students must submit a Change of Schedule DocuSign Form - Pass Grading Option to the Registrar’s Office before the withdrawal deadline for the term or session.

Auditing Option

Students may audit a course with the permission of the instructor. An audited course will be graded AU and will not apply toward the degree. Students may elect the audit option at any point up to the withdrawal deadline in the term the course was taken by submitting a completed Audit Grading Option DocuSign Form. A student can request to rescind the audit grade by following the same procedure, including obtaining the instructor’s signature, to remove the option up to the withdrawal deadline within the semester the course was taken. Rescinding an AU grade to reflect a letter grade is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the course instructor.