Graduate Handbook

1. The Graduate College requires that students graduate with at least 18 semester hours of graded (A-F) credit. The remainder may by S-U.
2. Some classes, most notably the academic core courses of the department are ONLY graded by letter grade, A-F. Classes taken in other departments may be taken on the S-U basis if desired and allowed.
3. For those classes using the S or U, students may opt for a letter grade if they so desire. By the first day of class each semester, you need to indicate which system you wish to use. If you opt for a letter grade rather than S-U, you may not change the grading system for that particular course during that semester.
4. No matter which grading system is employed, criteria for grading should be made known to you in the class syllabus at the beginning of the semester. Requirements for satisfactory progress toward the degree should be spelled out to you by your program's faculty or by your adviser. If you are unclear about what your program's faculty considers satisfactory progress toward the degree, contact your adviser for clarification.
5. To graduate from the department, you must have at least a 3.00 GPA. Be aware that S-U grades are not figured into your overall GPA. Furthermore, if you have any U grades, you must either (1) petition the instructor to make up the course next semester or (2) petition your program faculty to substitute another acceptable class. Be aware that the faculty is under no obligation to grant these petitions.
6. If you do receive a U grade, an explanation of the criteria for the grade will be placed in your file by the instructor. This explanation may be needed for future reference if you petition to change the grade.
7. A low GPA will jeopardize your standing with the Graduate College and can affect financial aid.
8. You should realize that if you should wish to transfer grades to another institution you may have trouble getting equivalency for S-U grades. Credit is sometimes not given by other institutions for these courses.