Explanation of Grades

Graduate Grading

Grading Scheme

 Type of Course Grades
Graded Academic course grades: These grades will compute into student grade point average (GPA). A+(4.0), A(4.0), A-(3.7), B+(3.3), B(3.0), B-(2.7), C+(2.3), C(2.0), and F (0.0).
PNP Projects and Seminars: Grades will not compute into student GPA. S - completed at a satisfactory level: B or better

U - unsatisfactory, no credit toward degree requirements

SUS Thesis/Dissertations: Grades will not compute into student GPA. PR - for satisfactory progress made toward completion of the thesis/dissertation during the semester

S - given only for the last semester of thesis/dissertation research and only after successful defense of the thesis/dissertation.
Only the Registrar's Office can issue this grade.

U - unsatisfactory, no credit toward degree requirements

NC - given if the student has made no progress on thesis/dissertation research.

AUD The grade sheet will identify the students registered with the audit option. AU - designates that the student has registered for a course on an audit basis and has maintained an attendance record throughout the semester which is sufficient to warrant an official recognition of course attendance.
Incomplete: The grade of INC is a temporary notation which is assigned for incomplete work in courses when the records of students justify the expectation that they will obtain a passing grade but for emergency reasons they have been absent from the final course evaluation. Any missed final examination or other final course evaluation requires a student explanation within 48 hours. Courses that have been assigned the grade of INC will be changed to a grade of  “F” at the end of the following semester if the instructor does not submit a grade change to the Registrar’s Office.
Withdrawal: The student's permanent record will indicate a grade of W for the course(s) from which he or she has withdrawn according to the published Graduate Academic Calendar unless the withdrawal has taken place within the 1st 10 class days of the semester during which time no record will be kept. Only the Registrar's office can issue this grade.

Audit: The grade sheets will identify the students registered with the audit option. AU designates that the student has registered for a course on an audit basis and has maintained an attendance record throughout the semester which is sufficient to warrant an official recognition of course attendance.

Please note: Academic records are confidential. Faculty may not post grades in a manner which would identify the student.
 

Undergraduate Grading

Grading Scheme

 Type of Course Grades
Graded Academic course grades: These grades will compute into student grade point average (GPA). A(4.0), A-(3.7), B+(3.3), B(3.0), B-(2.7), C+(2.3), C(2.0), C-(1.7), D+(1.3), D(1.0) and F (0.0).
PNP Pass-no credit: Grades will not compute into student GPA. The grade sheet will identify students registered with the pass/no credit option. P- designates completion with credit of an unrestricted elective or physical activities course which was taken on a pass-no credit basis. The grade of "P" indicates a grade of "C" or above. 

NC- indicates failure of an unrestricted elective which was taken on a pass-no credit basis.

SUS Practicum Experience: Grades will not compute into student GPA. S- designates satisfactory completion of a practicum experience course with a final course grade of or better.

U- indicates unsatisfactory performance in a practicum experience course with a final course grade of less than C.

AUD The grade sheet will identify the students registered with the audit option. AU - designates that the student has registered for a course on an audit basis and has maintained an attendance record throughout the semester which is sufficient to warrant an official recognition of course attendance.

Incompletes: The grade of INC is a temporary notation which is assigned for incomplete work in courses when the records of students justify the expectation that they will obtain a passing grade but for emergency reasons they have been absent from the final course evaluation. Any missed final examination or other final course evaluation requires a student explanation within 48 hours. Courses that have been assigned the grade of INC will be changed to a grade of “F” at the end of the following semester if the instructor does not submit a grade change to the Registrar’s Office.

Withdrawal:  The Registrar’s office will issue these grades.
W:designates student withdrawal from the University prior to the 50th class day of a semester or from a course during the period from 5th to 50th class day.

X: designates student withdrawal after the 50th class day of a semester for administratively approved reasons of an emergency or medical nature.

Y: designates administrative dismissal for other than academic reasons.

Please note: Academic records are confidential. Faculty may not post grades in a manner which would identify the student.

Office of the Registrar - 883 Broadway Street, Room 101, Lowell, MA 01854-5129
Phone: 978-934-2550 Fax: 978-934-4076 Contact us