Grades

(SMSU Policy A-034)

A. All courses offered by Southwest Minnesota State University shall be graded on the following:

1. The A, B, C, D, F System
   A: Excellent
   B: Above Average
   C: Average
   D: Below Average
   F: Failure
   Plus (+) or minus (-) may be used with A, B, C, or D grades.
2. The Credit/No Credit System
   CR: Credit
   NC: No Credit
3. The Optional System
   Students must inform the instructor during the first week of class whether they want to be graded on the A, B, C, D, F System, or the Credit/No Credit System if this is an option for the course they are registered in.
   a. No more than twenty (20) credits outside the major graded on the Credit/No Credit System shall be counted toward graduation.

B. In addition, the following symbols may be used with all systems: AU, W, I, IP, NA, FQ.

• NA – Never Attended- Instructors assign the NA grade to all student who have never attended their class. This grade does not have an affect on GPA but does on completion rate
• FQ- Failed Quit – Instructors assign the FQ grade to students who quit attending their course with the last date of attendance. This grade has GPA and completion rate affect.
• AU: Audited
• W: Withdrawn
• I: Incomplete. The Incomplete is used when, for reasons beyond the student’s control, the student has not completed specific course requirements, but has in other respects done passing work. The student must complete the course requirement(s) before the end of the next semester in which he/she is enrolled. If the course requirement(s) are not completed by that time, then the “I” will be changed to an “F” if graded on the A, B, C, D, F System or to a NC if graded on the Credit/No Credit System. The instructor may extend the “I” grade for one semester.
• IP: In progress. The in-progress grade, “IP,” is for use in those courses where it is expected that the student may not be able to complete the course in one semester. The student must complete the course requirement(s) within two years, regardless of enrollment. If course requirements are not completed by that time, the “IP’ will be changed to an “F” if graded on the “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” “F” System or to an “NC” if graded on the Credit/No Credit system. Subsequently, the student must repeat the course to receive credit. The instructor will file a copy of outstanding course requirements with the student, department office, and Registration and Records Office.

1. A student who receives an “I” or “IP” has the responsibility to check with his/her instructor immediately to learn the requirements necessary to remove the “I” or “IP” grade.
2. If the course is not completed within two years regardless of enrollment, then the “I” or “IP” grade will be changed to an “F” if graded on the A, B, C, D, F System or to an “NC” if graded on the Credit/No Credit System. Subsequently the student must repeat the course to receive credit.