University of Delaware
Graduate Catalog 1995-1996
Academic and Registration Regulations
University Grading and Academic Standards
UNIVERSITY GRADING POLICY. At the end of each term, reports of grades
are sent to graduate students. The following quality grades are used in the
University of Delaware grading system:
A Excellent ...................... 4.00 quality points per credit
A- ................................. 3.67 quality points per credit
B+ ................................. 3.33 quality points per credit
B Good ........................... 3.00 quality points per credit
B- ................................. 2.67 quality points per credit
C+ ................................. 2.33 quality points per credit
C Fair ........................... 2.00 quality points per credit
C- ................................. 1.67 quality points per credit
D+ ................................. 1.33 quality points per credit
D Poor ........................... 1.00 quality points per credit
D- ................................. 0.67 quality points per credit
F Failure ........................ 0.00 quality points per credit
X Failure, Academic Dishonesty ...... 0 quality points per credit
Z Failure, Unofficial Withdrawal .... 0 quality points per credit
NOTE: In courses requiring a minimum letter grade, for example, a C or
better, the minus grade, for example, C-, fulfills the requirement.
Similarly, when a B or better is required, a B- fulfills the
requirement. However, the quality points per credit for a C- are
fewer than for a C (see chart), and the University requires that
graduate students achieve an overall cumulative grade point index of
at least 3.00 for graduation.
L-Listener. Registration without credit or grade. Class attendance is
required.
LW-Listener Withdrawal. A Listener who does not attend sufficient class
meetings to be eligible in the judgment of the instructor for the
grade of L will receive the grade of LW.
P or F-Passing or Failing. Used only for 969, 899, and 999
registrations. Until the dissertation is defended, the temporary
grade of S or U is given for 969; after that, a final grade of P or F
is given. For Sustaining (899 and 999), only a P or F grade is given.
P/F grades are not given for other courses at the 600 or 800 level. P
grades are not calculated in the index. F grades are calculated in
the index.
W-Official Withdrawal. Passing at the time of withdrawal.
**WF-Official Withdrawal. Failing at the time of withdrawal.
** Students permitted to withdraw after the announced deadlines for whom
the grade of WF has been reported will receive a grade of F for the
course unless the Office of Graduate Studies approves their
withdrawal "without penalty."
TEMPORARY GRADES. No student will be permitted to graduate from the
University with temporary grades pending. (Students intending to receive a
master's degree who have been given permission to continue studies toward a
doctoral degree may retain those temporary grades that do not apply to the
master's course of study.) If a student does not take steps to remove
temporary grades, these grades will be changed to F at the expiration of
the regular degree program time limits.
The following temporary grades are used:
I-INCOMPLETE. Used to indicate incompleted assignments, absences from
final or other examinations, or any other course work not completed
by the end of the semester only because of circumstances beyond the
student's control.
An I grade must be removed no later than the end of the first six
weeks of the semester immediately following, e.g., incomplete work
for the fall semester must be completed by the end of the first six
weeks of the spring semester following; incomplete work for the
spring semester must be completed by the end of the first six weeks
of the following fall semester. Incomplete work for either summer
session must be completed by the end of the first six weeks of the
following fall semester. Under extenuating circumstances, the Office
of Graduate Studies may approve extensions to these time limits if
requested to do so in writing by the instructor.
At the time of grading, the instructor who gives an I grade will
be required to report to the department chair and the Graduate
Office by the I Grade Explanation Form: (1) the nature of the
incomplete (absence from the final examination, project or paper not
completed, etc.), (2) the student's reason for the incomplete
(illness, accident or injury, serious illness or death in immediate
family, etc.), and (3) the grade earned by the student in the course
exclusive of the incomplete work. Copies of the I Grade Explanation
Form will be sent to the department chair and the Graduate Office
for file and audit.
Instructors should submit a change of grade to the Graduate
Office in order to change the temporary grade of I to a permanent
grade by the deadline for completing incomplete work. If the
incomplete work has been made up, the instructor will give the
appropriate final grade for the course. If the work has not been
made up, the instructor may give the student a final grade of F, or
may have the option of giving the student a passing grade based on
the work that was completed for the course. If the instructor has
not reported a final grade upon the expiration of either the
deadline or the extension of the deadline, the temporary grade of I
will revert to a grade of F.
S-SATISFACTORY PROGRESS. For dissertation, thesis, research, special
problems, and other courses that may carry over from semester to
semester.
U-UNSATISFACTORY PROGRESS. For dissertation, thesis, research, special
problems, and other courses that may carry over from semester to
semester.
Temporary grades of S and U are recorded where the work normally
extends beyond the regular semester periods. The time limit for such
grades is determined by the nature of the project. Final grades are
normally recorded at the completion of the project. The grade
recorded for the last course entry (a final grade) is understood to
be the grade that applies to all preceding S or U grades in that
course. If instructors wish to change individual S or U grades, they
may do so in the regular manner through change-of-grade forms. The
revised current and cumulative summaries will be posted on the
permanent record at the time of and along with the recording of
grade changes.
THE GRADUATE GRADE POINT AVERAGE. To be in good standing with the
University and to be eligible to be cleared for the advanced degree,
students must achieve a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0. In addition, the
grades in courses applied toward the degree program must equal at least
3.0. Certain graduate programs, however, may have additional requirements
that constitute good standing. A grade below a C- will not be counted
toward the course requirements for a degree even though it is calculated in
the cumulative grade point average.
REVIEW OF THE GRADUATE GRADE POINT AVERAGE. For full-time students, the
index is computed and reviewed after the first semester and for every
semester increment thereafter as long as the student is registered full
time (9 credits hours or 6 credit hours depending on contract status). For
part-time students, the G.P.A. is reviewed after each 9-hour increment.
ACADEMIC PROBATION POLICY. The cumulative G.P.A. after every 9-hour
increment determines academic standing. For students holding a teaching,
graduate, or research assistantship the increment is 6 hours. If the
cumulative G.P.A. falls below a 3.0, the notation appropriate to the
substandard index is assigned according to the chart given below.
IF A STUDENT IS ON: AND GETS AN THE STATUS
INDEX OF: WILL BECOME:
Any status (or clear) ... 3.0 or above Clear
Clear ....................... 2.99-2.5 Warning
Clear ....................... 2.49-2.0 Probation
Probation ................... 2.99-2.5 Special Probation
Probation ................... 2.49-2.0 Termination
Warning .................... Below 3.0 Special Probation
Special Probation .......... Below 3.0 Termination
Any status (or clear) ...... Below 2.0 Termination