Credits and Grading
The following grading system and policies have been standardized for all academic units of the university.
Grade Symbols
The instructor is responsible for whatever grade symbol (e.g., A, B, C, D, F, I or IP) is to be assigned. Special symbols (NC and W) are indications of registration or grade status and are not assigned by the instructor. Pass/fail (e.g. P+, P, F) designations are not assigned by the instructor but are automatically converted by the grade application system, as explained under “Pass/Fail Procedure.”
| Standard Grades | Quality Points |
|---|---|
| A = superior/excellent | 4 |
| A(-) = | 3.7 |
| B(+) = | 3.3 |
| B - good/better than average | 3 |
| B(-) = | 2.7 |
| C(+) = | 2.3 |
| C = competent/average | 2 |
| C(-) = | 1.7 |
| D(+) = | 1.3 |
| D = | 1 |
| D(-) = minimum passing | 0.7 |
| F = failing | 0 |
Note: Instructors may, at their discretion, use the plus/minus system but are not required to do so.
| Grade | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I | Incomplete - converted to an F if not completed within one year |
| IP | In progress thesis at the graduate level only |
| NC | Indicates registration on a no-credit basis |
| W | Indicates withdrawal without credit |
| P+ | Awarded when the standard letter grade earned for the course would have been C- or above. P+ grade does not impact the student's GPA |
| P | Awarded when the standard letter grade earned for the course would have been D+, D, or D-. P grade does not impact the student's GPA |
| F | Fail with an impact to the student's GPA |
| S | Satisfactory - Course requirements are satisfied or expectations are met. Does not impact the student's GPA |
| U | Unsatisfactory - Course requirements are not satisfied or expectations are not met. Does not impact the student's GPA |
- Effective Summer 2023 courses that were previously graded on the basis of Pass/Fail (P/F) are now graded with Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U). This is based on faculty approval of APS 1025 in May 2022. Students still have the option to use the P+ grading system (P+/P/F) by student selection for elective courses up to the maximum allowed by their program.
Pass+/Pass/Fail
- Students who wish to request a course be graded on a pass/fail basis (or to revert from pass/fail to graded status) may do so up until the tenth week of the term for 16-week fall or spring session, or until the withdraw deadline of the eight-week or five-week fall or spring session, or summer session.
- Up to 16 semester hours of course work may be taken on a pass/fail basis and credited toward the bachelor’s degree. Only six hours of course work may be taken pass/fail in any given semester. (Note: Individual schools and colleges may have additional restrictions as to pass/fail credits. See the specific school/college specific policy.)
- Instructors will not be informed of pass/fail registration. All students who register for a pass/fail appear on the regular class roster, and a normal letter grade is assigned by the professor. When grades are received in the Registrar’s Office, those registrations with a pass/fail designation are automatically converted by the grade application system. Courses taken pass/fail will be included in hours toward graduation. Grades of C- and above convert to P+. Grades of D+, D, and D- convert to grades of P. Pass grades (P+ and P) are not included in a student’s GPA. An F grade in a course taken pass/fail will be included in the GPA.
- Pass/fail registration records are maintained by the Registrar’s Office.
- Exceptions to the pass/fail regulations are permitted for specified courses offered by the School of Education & Human Development, the extended studies programs and study abroad programs.
- Graduate degree students can exercise the pass/fail option for undergraduate courses only. A grade of P+ or P will not be acceptable for graduate credit to satisfy any degree requirement.
Students who register for a course on a pass/fail basis may not later (after the stated deadline) decide to receive a letter grade.
To request the P+/P/F grading scale, students must complete and submit the pass/fail form.
Notes:
- Effective Summer 2023 courses that were previously graded on the basis of Pass/Fail (P/F) are now graded with Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U). This is based on faculty approval of APS 1025 in May 2022. Students still have the option to use the P+ grading system (P+/P/F) by student selection for elective courses up to the maximum allowed by their program.
- In the event of a transfer, the receiving institution may not accept a P+ grade for transfer credit.
No Credit
Students may register for a course on a no-credit basis. Up until the tenth week of the term, for 16-week fall or spring sessions, or until the withdraw deadline of the eight-week or five-week fall or spring session, or summer session. No grade or credit is awarded but full tuition and fees will be charged. The transcript reflects the name of the course taken and a N/C notation.
Incomplete Grade
An I is an incomplete grade. Policies with respect to I grades are available in the individual college and school dean’s offices.
An I is given only when students, for reasons beyond their control, have been unable to complete course requirements. A substantial amount of work must have been satisfactorily completed before approval for such a grade is given.
The instructor who assigns an I sets the conditions under which the course work can be completed and the time limit for its completion. The student is expected to complete the requirements by the established deadline and not retake the entire course.
It is the instructor’s and/or the student’s decision whether a course should be retaken. If a course is retaken, it must be completed on the Denver Campus or in extended studies classes. The student must re-register for the course and pay the appropriate tuition.
The final grade, if retaking the course, does not result in deletion of the I grade on the original course from the transcript. A second entry is posted on the transcript to show the final grade for the new attempt.
At the end of one year, I grades for courses that are not completed are changed to an F.
Good Academic Standing
Degree Seeking Students
Students at the University are expected to maintain progress in their degree program, as defined by being in “good academic standing.” Good academic standing requires minimally a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on all University of Colorado course work.
Non-degree Seeking Students
Continuation as a non-degree graduate student is contingent upon maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0.
Failure to maintain the required average will result in a non-degree student being suspended. The suspension is for an indefinite period of time and becomes part of the student’s permanent record at the university. While under suspension, enrollment at the university is restricted. For more information contact the dean’s office of the school /college you are enrolled in.
Final Grades
Final grades are available approximately within one week after the end of the semester and can be accessed by logging into the UCDAccess portal or by ordering an official transcript. If a final grade is not reflected by the posted deadline, contact the Instructor of the course.
By default, all of our instructors award letter or incomplete grades. Click here for more information regarding Grades at CU Denver.
GPA Calculation
GPA is computed by multiplying the credit points per hour (for example, B = 3) by the number of semester hours for each course. Total the hours, total the credit points and divide the total points by the total hours. Grades of P+, P, NC, S, U, ***, W, IP, and I are not included in the GPA. I grades that are not completed within one year are calculated as F in the GPA.
If a course is repeated, all grades earned are used in determining the GPA. Grades received at another institution are not included in the University of Colorado GPA.
Undergraduate, graduate and non-degree graduate GPAs are calculated separately. Enrollment in a second undergraduate or graduate program will not generate a second undergraduate or graduate GPA.
Students should refer to their academic dean’s office for individual GPA calculations as they relate to academic progress and graduation from their college or school.
Sample GPA Calculation
| Grade Earned: | Credit Points per Hour: | x Credit Hours: | = Credit Points in Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.000 | 4.000 | 16.000 |
| A- | 3.700 | 4.000 | 14.800 |
| B+ | 3.300 | 4.000 | 13.200 |
| P | - | 3.000 | (excluded) |
| F | 0 | 3.000 | 0 |
Total of 15 credit hours with 44 credit points, so 44/15 = 2.930 GPA