The following grading system applies to all graduate students.

"A," "A – ," "B+," and "B" represent satisfactory work.

"B-", "C+", and "C", represent passing but unsatisfactory work.

"F" is a failing grade. It indicates that the student has not completed all course requirements in a satisfactory manner. Students who stop attending a course without having complied with the official withdrawal procedure can anticipate receiving a grade of "F." The "F" grade becomes a permanent part of a student’s record and cannot be expunged even if the course is successfully retaken.

"I" (Incomplete) indicates a student has done passing work in a course but has not yet submitted all the outstanding work required for a formal evaluation. The "I" is awarded at the instructor’s discretion, only if the student has completed at least half of the course requirements satisfactorily at the end of the semester, and there is a reasonable expectation that all course requirements can be completed in one academic year. An "I" must be formally re-evaluated by the instructor within one academic year, resulting in an evaluation grade or an extension of the "I," or it automatically converts to an "F*."

Students must complete coursework with the original instructor. The change in the "I" grade must be made by the original instructor, and in his or her absence, by the department chair. If this is not possible, arrangements must be made through the department chair in concurrence with an assigned instructor.

"IP" (In Progress) can be issued where by nature of the course content the course may not be complete by the end of the term. IP grades automatically convert to an "F*" after one academic year.

"L" (Lost) is awarded when a student’s name appears on a roster, but the student never appears in class or disappears before being formally evaluated by the instructor.

"W" signifies official withdrawal from a course. A "W" is assigned administratively if a student:

1. Drops a course, following proper university procedure, between the end of the drop/add period and the withdrawal deadline of the semester, or
2. Drops a course or withdraws from school after the deadline of the semester with the written approval of the Students Affairs office. Permission is given only for valid cause such as debilitating illness, relocation, serious family crisis or other circumstances beyond the student’s control.

"AU" (Audit): In an audited course, a student will not receive credit or honor points; however, a student must pay the same tuition as if taking the course for credit. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that he/she is auditing the course during the first two weeks of classes. Under no circumstances may a student change from the evaluative letter grade system to audit or vice versa after the first two weeks of classes.

A student who audits a course is responsible for attending classes and completing required coursework.

"P" (Pass): Selected graduate thesis, internship, and practicum courses may be graded on a pass/fail basis.

Courses officially dropped during the add/drop period will not appear on the student’s record.