Understanding the ASU Grading Scale and GPA
To maintain quality degree programs, Arizona State University (ASU) has specific academic progress requirements. A key component is the grade point average (GPA), which reflects a student's academic performance. This article provides a comprehensive explanation of the ASU grading scale and GPA calculation, covering undergraduate and graduate policies.
Academic Standing and GPA Requirements
ASU requires a minimum GPA of 2.00 (a C average) for graduation. However, some majors might have higher GPA expectations. Academic standing is assessed at the end of each semester and can be viewed on Banner Web. Students are considered in good standing if their GPA meets the minimum requirements outlined in the Stages of Progress Table. Failure to meet these minimums can result in academic probation or suspension.
Academic progress is evaluated based on the institutional cumulative GPA and the number of semester hours earned. The GPA calculation considers graded academic hours, encompassing courses completed at ASU and articulated transfer courses.
Students placed on probation are required to meet with their academic advisor before registering for further courses. Registration is restricted to a maximum of 13 semester hours. Furthermore, students on probation must develop an academic success plan with their advisor and attend mandatory academic success sessions.
The semester hour serves as the unit for credit computation, representing one 50-minute class session per week per semester.
Read also: Understanding UIUC Grades
Standard Grading Options and Definitions
Typically, grades of "A+," "A," "A-," "B+," "B," "B-," "C+," "C," "D," or "E" are assigned upon course completion. Alternative grading options, such as "audit" or "pass/fail," may be selected during registration, but these options cannot be changed after the add period closes. The instructor has the final say in selecting grades from the available options on the grade roster.
Grade Values (Fall 2004 and After)
The following table outlines the grade values for undergraduate and graduate courses, effective from Fall 2004:
| Grade | Undergraduate Definition | Graduate Definition | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | Excellent | 4.33 | |
| A | Excellent | Excellent | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 | ||
| B+ | 3.33 | ||
| B | Good | Good | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 | ||
| C+ | 2.33 | ||
| C | Average | Passing | 2.00 |
| D | Passing | No Graduate Credit | 1.00 |
| E | Failure | Failure | 0.00 |
| EN | Failing Never Participated | Failing Never Participated | 0.00 |
| EU | Failing Did Not Complete | Failing Did Not Complete | 0.00 |
| XE | Academic Dishonesty | Academic Dishonesty | 0.00 |
Note: Although the plus/minus scale includes an A+ with a value of 4.33, the cumulative GPA is capped at 4.00.
Additional Grades and Marks
- Incomplete (I): Awarded when a student is performing acceptably but cannot complete the course due to illness or other uncontrollable circumstances. The student must arrange with the instructor to complete the requirements within one calendar year. Failure to do so results in a failing grade "E" for undergraduate courses (Fall 1983 onward). For graduate courses, the "I" becomes permanent, requiring re-registration and fee payment to repeat the course.
- No Report (NR): Indicates that a grade has not yet been reported. Students should contact the instructor if an "NR" grade persists from a prior semester.
- Pass (P): Signifies a passing grade when a student has permission to take a course as pass/fail. "P" grades earn hours but are not factored into the GPA. Only assigned when a student receives permission to take a course as pass/fail and is recorded on the Pass/Fail Enrollment form.
- Withdrawal (W): Assigned if a student withdraws from a class after the first week. No credit or grade is earned.
- Audit (X): Allows a student to attend a course without earning credit, subject to instructor approval and fee payment. The "X" is not included in earned hours or the GPA.
- Satisfactory (Y): Typically used for internships, projects, research, and workshops. Hours are earned, but the grade does not affect the GPA.
- Course in Progress (Z): Used for courses extending beyond one semester, such as research or thesis work. An appropriate grade is assigned upon completion.
- Failing Never Participated (EN): Indicates failure due to non-participation. Treated as an "E" for GPA, course repeatability, and academic standing. Affects financial aid eligibility. Displayed on transcripts from Fall 2016.
- Failing Did Not Complete (EU): Used when a student never officially withdraws but ceases participation, and completed work is insufficient for evaluation. Critical for federal financial aid administration. Displayed on transcripts from Fall 2019.
- Academic Dishonesty (XE): Signifies failure due to academic dishonesty. Treated as an "E" for GPA, course repeatability, and academic standing. Withdrawal from the course does not avoid the penalty.
Law Grading Scale (Fall 2009 and After)
| Grade | Definition | Additional Grades |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.33 | CR Credit |
| A | Excellent 4.00 | NR No Report |
| A- | 3.67 | P Pass |
| B+ | 3.33 | X Audit |
| B | Good 3.00 | W Withdrawal |
| B- | 2.67 | I Incomplete |
| C+ | 2.33 | H Honors |
| C | Average 2.00 | HH High Honors |
| D | Deficient 1.00 | XE Academic Dishonesty |
| E | Failing 0.00 | EN Failing Never Participated |
| EU Failing Did Not Complete |
Repeating Courses
Undergraduate courses with grades of "D," "E," "EU," "EN," "XE," "W," or "X" can be repeated for credit. To remove "D" or "E" grades from GPA calculations, the course must be repeated at ASU. This is done automatically after grades are reported each term. Courses can be repeated only once, and students who have already graduated are not eligible for grade deletion. If a "C" or higher is required in a course where a "D" was received, an equivalent course from elsewhere can demonstrate mastery.
Grade Appeals
ASU provides both informal and formal processes for students to appeal a grade.
Read also: Hunter College Grades Explained
Graduate School Academic Policies
Graduate credit is awarded only for courses listed in the Graduate Bulletin under Course Descriptions. Master's degree programs typically consist of courses numbered 5000 and 6000, with courses 7000 and above reserved for specialist and doctoral programs. Master's candidates must complete at least 18 semester hours in courses at the 6000 level; programs exceeding 30 hours require at least 50% of credit hours at the 6000 level. Undergraduate courses at the 4000 level cannot be retaken at the 5000 level for graduate credit.
Special courses can be organized at any level to meet group needs, with course numbers ending in 9. All students auditing a course pay the regular audit fee and must meet all course requirements except for examinations and formal papers. Only admitted graduate students can audit graduate courses.
Students who miss traditional classes or do not participate in online courses during the first eleven class days of a fall or spring semester, or the first five class days of a five-week term, will be assigned a grade of WN (withdrawal for non-attendance) and are administratively withdrawn from the class. The WN grade does not impact GPA calculation. Students who initially attend, but discontinue attendance or completion of assignments without officially dropping a class are assigned a grade of FN (failure for non-attendance.) The FN grade is equivalent to a grade of F for calculating GPA and academic standing.
A maximum of nine semester hours of credit with a "B" grade or better from another approved institution may be transferred, subject to advisor and program director approval. No grade below “C” will be accepted for graduate credit. Any Grade Change Report form will be accepted only if submitted prior to the close of the semester immediately following the one in which the original grade was recorded. Any graduate student whose cumulative GPA on all courses taken for graduate credit falls below 3.00 at the end of a semester will be placed on probation. Students may be removed from probation by raising their cumulative GPA to 3.00 or better at the end of a semester. Failure to make a grade of “B” or better in each course taken while on probation will result in suspension from further graduate work.
Full-time graduate students may not exceed 15 semester hours per regular semester or the full summer term, including any undergraduate courses, without special permission. Nine graduate hours or more for Fall and Spring terms are considered full-time; six hours or more cumulative over all summer terms are considered full-time. Graduate students enrolled in an accelerated on-line degree program are considered full-time when enrolled in at least three graduate hours. Master’s and Specialist level graduate assistants must complete a minimum of 6 hours of graduate credit during a regular semester and will not be permitted to enroll for more than 12 hours of credit including both graduate and undergraduate courses. Students enrolling for fewer than six hours of graduate credit in a regular semester are not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship. Graduate assistants will be permitted to enroll in a maximum of seven semester hours at the graduate level in a five-week summer term and must complete at least three semester hours at the graduate level in the combined summer terms if they hold an assistantship during any summer term.
Read also: Understanding UTK Grades
GPA Calculation Examples
4.0 Scale with Credit Hours
- Multiply each grade value by the number of credit hours for the course.
- Total the credit hours and grade points.
- Divide the total grade points by the total credit hours.
Example:
| Course | Grade | Credit Hours | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGT 402 | A | 3 | 4 x 3 = 12 |
| BUS 415 | B | 4 | 3 x 4 = 12 |
| CIS 419 | A | 4 | 4 x 4 = 16 |
| ABC 123 | C | 3 | 2 x 3 = 6 |
| Totals | 14 | 46 |
GPA = 46 / 14 = 3.29
4.0 Scale without Credit Hours
- Total the grade points for all courses.
- Count the number of courses.
- Divide the total grade points by the number of courses.
Example:
| Course | Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 402 | A | 4 |
| BUS 415 | B | 3 |
| CIS 419 | A | 4 |
| ABC 123 | C | 2 |
| Totals | 13 |
GPA = 13 / 4 = 3.25
Grading Systems Used by International Institutions
Many international institutions use a 100-point, 10-point, or percentage system. ASU does not convert these systems; it uses the scale provided on the transcript.
Additional Factors in ASU Admissions
While GPA and standardized test scores are important, ASU considers other factors in admissions, including:
- Coursework difficulty
- Extracurricular activities
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statements
tags: #ASU #grading #scale #GPA #explanation
