Grading System

The School of Public Health uses a letter grading system. Letter grades are assigned numerical values called Quality Points based on semester hour. These Quality Points are used to compute the students’ Grade Point Average (GPA).  A=4; B=3; C=2; D=1; F=0; I (Incomplete) = 0.

Those courses with a Pass/Fail designation do not positively affect the CGPA, however, it should be noted a Fail designation will be calculated into the CGPA as an “F” (receiving 0 points).

Incomplete Grades

A student in good standing in a course, unable to complete the course requirements due to circumstances beyond the student’s control may request the grade of an “I” for incomplete. This grade does not imply a deficiency on the part of the student. On completion of the required course work, the grade of “I” will be changed to an appropriate grade as determined by the course director. The assignment of an “I” as the official course grade is at the discretion of the course director and requires sufficient documentation from the student as to the extenuating circumstances.

Students with Incomplete status in a course must finish all required work in a manner specified by the course director. In general, this should be done in a reasonably short period after the regular termination date of the course. The ADAA may allow a longer period of time for reasons which are considered appropriate. A student cannot proceed with further coursework until all incomplete grades have been removed. Unless there is an acceptable reason for further delay, an Incomplete grade which is not removed within two weeks of the start of the subsequent semester will be converted on the record as “F.” The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs may authorize an extension of time for removing the “I” grade. Please see Academic Affairs for assistance with this process.

Withdrawal Grades

Students should refer to the Academic Calendar which lists the dates, both with and without transcript notation, upon which they may withdraw from courses.

Grade Appeals

If a student receives a grade which he or she feels is unwarranted, the student may appeal this grade. It is the intention of the school administration and faculty that grade appeals are resolved quickly and fairly at the lowest level of the process.

1. The student must first meet with the course director and discuss the basis for appealing the grade within three working days of receiving the grade.
2. If dissatisfied with the results of this meeting, the student may submit a formal written appeal of the grade no later than five working days of the discussion with the course director. This written appeal is sent to the course director and academic program director.
3. Within five working days from receiving the student’s appeal, the course director and academic program director must examine the appeal, discuss it with the student and respond with a written decision regarding the appeal. If dissatisfied with these results, the student may submit a final formal written appeal of the grade to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs within five working days of the course director and academic program director’s decision. The document must include the basis for appealing the grade.
4. Within ten working days of receiving the appeal, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will appoint an ad hoc committee of five including two students and three faculty members, none of which will be members of the academic program to evaluate the merits of the appeal. The committee must review the appeal and advise the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of their recommendation in writing within five working days of the appointment of the committee.
5. Within five working days, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will review the findings of the committee and render a decision. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will forward the decision to the Dean as the final step of due process in the School.