Understanding Cleveland State University Grade Release Dates and Academic Policies

Navigating the academic landscape of a university involves understanding crucial dates and policies. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Cleveland State University's (CSU) grade release dates, important academic calendar milestones, grading policies, and other essential academic information, drawing primarily from the university's official announcements and policies. Please note that Academic Calendar dates are subject to change, and students should check CampusNet for the most up-to-date information about specific course dates.

Key Dates for Fall 2025 Semester

Cleveland State University publishes an academic calendar with important dates for each semester. Here are some key dates for the Fall 2025 semester:

Priority Registration Begins: Monday, March 10, 2025
Open Enrollment Begins: Monday, April 28, 2025
Term Begins: Saturday, August 23, 2025
First Weekday Class: Monday, August 25, 2025
Last Day to Join a Course Waitlist: Friday, August 29, 2025
Last Day to Add (CampusNet Registration): Sunday, August 31, 2025
Labor Day (University Holiday): Monday, September 01, 2025
Last Day to Drop with Full Refund: Friday, September 5, 2025
Course Withdrawal Period Begins - 'W' Grade Assigned: Saturday, September 06, 2025
University Census Date: Monday, September 08, 2025
Indigenous Peoples' Day / Columbus Day Observed (No Classes - Offices Open): Monday, October 13, 2025
Mid-Semester Grading Deadline: Monday, October 20, 2025
Last Day to Withdraw from Courses: Friday, October 31, 2025
Veterans Day Observed (University Holiday): Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Thanksgiving Recess (No classes Thursday to Sunday): November 27-28, 2025
Last Day of Classes: Friday, December 05, 2025
Exam Week (Monday - Saturday): December 8-13, 2025
Commencement: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Final Grades Submission Deadline (All Sessions): Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Final Grades Available to Students: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Fall Semester Student Incomplete Work Deadline: Friday, May 01, 2026
Fall Semester Incomplete Grade Submission Deadline: Tuesday, May 05, 2026

Understanding Alternative Session Courses (ALT)

Courses scheduled outside of the traditional semester schedule are indicated in CampusNet as ALT (alternative) session courses. Add/drop/withdrawal deadlines for ALT courses are adjusted according to the length of the session.

Final Exam Schedule

Cleveland State University has a specific final exam schedule. Here's how final exams are typically scheduled based on the class meeting time for Fall 2025:

7:00a-7:50a (MWF): Monday, December 8, 2025, 8:00a-10:00a
7:00a-8:15a (TTh): Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 8:00a-10:00a
7:30a-8:35a (MWF) (4-credit): Monday, December 8, 2025, 8:00a-10:00a
8:00a-9:50a (TTh) (4-credit): Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 8:00a-10:00a
8:05a-8:55a (MWF): Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 8:00a-10:00a
8:30a-9:45a (TTh): Thursday, December 11, 2025, 8:00a-10:00a
9:10a-10:00a (MWF): Friday, December 12, 2025, 8:00a-10:00a
10:00a-11:15a (TTh): Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 10:15a-12:15p
10:15a-11:05a (MWF): Monday, December 8, 2025, 10:15a-12:15p
11:20a-12:10p (MWF): Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 10:15a-12:15p
Free for off-grid (large class) exams: Thursday, December 11, 2025, 10:15a-12:15p
Free for off-grid (large class) exams: Friday, December 12, 2025, 10:15a-12:15p
12:15p-1:20p (MWF) (4-credit): Monday, December 8, 2025, 12:30p-2:30p
12:25p-1:15p (MWF): Monday, December 8, 2025, 12:30p-2:30p
12:30p-1:45p (TTh): Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 12:30p-2:30p
12:30p-2:20p (TTh) (4-credit): Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 12:30p-2:30p
1:30p-2:20p (MWF): Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 12:30p-2:30p
2:00p-3:50p (MW) (4-credit): Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 12:30p-2:30p
2:00p-3:50p (TTh) (4-credit): Thursday, December 11, 2025, 12:30p-2:30p
2:00p-3:15p (TTh): Thursday, December 11, 2025, 12:30p-2:30p
2:35p-3:25p (MWF): Friday, December 12, 2025, 12:30p-2:30p
4:00p-5:50p (MW) (4-credit): Monday, December 8, 2025, 4:00p-6:00p
4:00p-5:50p (TTh) (4-credit): Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 4:00p-6:00p
4:30p-5:45p (MW): Monday, December 8, 2025, 4:00p-6:00p
4:30p-5:45p (TTh): Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 4:00p-6:00p
6:00p-7:15p (MW): Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 6:00p-8:00p
6:00p-7:15p (TTh): Thursday, December 11, 2025, 6:00p-8:00p
6:00p-7:50p (MW) (4-credit): Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 6:00p-8:00p
6:00p-7:50p (TTh) (4-credit): Thursday, December 11, 2025, 6:00p-8:00p
8:00p-9:15p (MW): Monday, December 8, 2025, 8:00p-10:00p
8:00p-9:15p (TTh): Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 8:00p-10:00p
8:00p-9:50p (MW) (4-credit): Monday, December 8, 2025, 8:00p-10:00p
8:00p-9:50p (TTh) (4-credit): Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 8:00p-10:00p

Exams for classes that meet one day a week will be held the same day and time the class normally meets during the week of final exams.

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Emergency Closing Policy During Final Exams

In case of an emergency closing of the University during a final examination period, the following regulations will apply: The regular examination schedule will be observed for the day(s) remaining when the University reopens. The first missed examination day will be scheduled on the next weekday following the normal examination period, the second missed on the following weekday, etc.

Grading System at Cleveland State University

Understanding the grading system is essential for students to gauge their academic performance. Cleveland State University employs a letter grade system with corresponding quality points. Here's a breakdown:

A: 4.0 quality points
B: 3.0 quality points
B-: 2.7 quality points
C: 2.0 quality points

It should be noted that there are no grades of C+ or D for graduate (500-899) courses. Additional grades include:

S (Satisfactory): Includes SA, SB, SC grades.
U (Unsatisfactory): Includes UD, UF grades.
NR (No Record): The “NR” grade replaces failing grades earned by a Freshman student during their first two terms of enrollment as a degree seeking student. The “NR” grade does not affect the GPA.
X: For undergraduate courses, the grade of "X" can only be administratively assigned by the Office of the University Registrar to indicate a grade has not been assigned by an instructor. For undergraduate students who have stopped attending/participating without notification and have not completed all assignments for reasons that cannot be determined, instructors should assign the earned grade.
I (Incomplete): The date assigned by the faculty member for completion of the work for undergraduate courses cannot be later than the last day of classes of the next term following the term in which the Incomplete grade was received. (The time limit may extend up to four weeks into the fall semester for Incomplete grades received during the spring semester.) For all cases, the time limit applies whether the student is enrolled or not.
U (Unsatisfactory performance): Unsatisfactory performance by a graduate student in selected courses.
T (Temporary non-credit grade): The T grade can be given only in courses for which the offering department and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies have authorized its use. It is given for specialized training, independent study, or thesis/ dissertation research that is progressing satisfactorily.
S - Satisfactory: Equivalent to a B or better. May be used only for courses authorized by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
NS - Not Satisfactory: The NS grade can be given only in courses authorized by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. It is given for a thesis, dissertation, or alternate exit project that is not satisfactory.
X - The grade of "X": can be assigned by the instructor when an attending/participating student has stopped attending/participating without notification and has not completed all assignments for reasons that cannot be determined by the end of the grading period. An "X" automatically becomes an F if not resolved by the last day of instruction of the following semester.
I - Incomplete: The date assigned by the faculty member for completion of the work for graduate courses cannot be later than the last day of classes of the next term following the term in which the Incomplete grade was received. For all cases, the time limit applies whether the student is enrolled or not.

Additional Academic Policies and Information

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland State Community College provides quality instruction in Tennessee Transfer Paths, career-technical programs and learning support. Academic support services are available to assist students in the pursuit of their educational objectives. The quality of student performance in individual courses is indicated on the student’s permanent record by a letter grade. The scholastic standing and progress of a student is expressed in terms of a Quality Point Average (QPA), which is calculated for the semester and cumulatively. The semester QPA is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of quality hours (excluding withdrawals and proficiencies) attempted during the semester.

Other grades

AU (Audit): Indicates that the student elected to enroll in the course for no grade or credit.
I (Incomplete): Indicates that the student has not completed all the work of the course for a reason acceptable to the instructor. The instructor will complete an agreement outlining the assignments, examinations or other work that must be completed by the student in order to remove the Incomplete. The student and the instructor will sign the agreement, both will receive a copy for their files and the original will be filed in the division dean’s office. A student may not be granted an Incomplete unless he/ she has a reasonable expectation of passing the course when the Incomplete is requested. A student who receives an Incomplete should not re-register for the course but must contact the instructor no later than two weeks from the beginning of the succeeding semester, excluding summer, and must make up the incomplete within eight weeks from the beginning of the succeeding semester, excluding summer. Upon the student’s completion of the required work, the instructor will calculate the student’s grade, complete a change of grade form and file it with the Office of Admissions and Records. The hours for the “I” grade will not be calculated into the student’s quality points or GPA until removed or until the time limit for removal has expired. Failure to resolve the “I” grade by the end of the subsequent semester (excluding summer) will result in automatic failure, and a grade of “F” for the course will be recorded on the student’s permanent record.
P (Pass): Indicates that the student has successfully completed a course. Credit indicated by “P” counts toward meeting graduation requirements but has no effect on the QPA.
NP (No pass): Indicates a student did not earn credit. This grade is not computed in the gradepoint average.
PR (Proficiency): Indicates that the student earned credit by taking a proficiency examination. The grade is not computed in the QPA. Effective with the 2001-2002 catalog, a grade of “A” or “B” will be assigned and will be computed in the QPA.
E (Excluded Course) or I (Included Course): Indicates that the student has repeated a course. When computing the GPA of a student who has repeated one or more courses, the college will count only the last grade received in the repeated course(s) and count hours attempted only once provided that the number of repeats in any single course does not exceed two (three attempts totaled). If a student repeats a course more than twice, the grade in the third and subsequent attempts shall be used in determining the GPA.
W (Withdrawn): Indicates that a student has officially withdrawn with the approval of the advisor from a course or courses during the official withdrawal period as published in the Academic Calendar. Beginning with the second week of classes, and not later than the end of the 10th week of the semester, a student may officially withdraw from a course(s) and receive a “w” grade. Beyond the date specified in the Academic Calendar, a student may only withdraw with approval of the Late Withdrawal Committee if it can be demonstrated and documented that an unusual condition or hardship exists. Unusual conditions or hardships may include severe illness, sudden change in work requirements or other legitimate reasons that may be approved by the Late Withdrawal Committee. Late withdrawal forms are available in the Office of Admissions and Records Office and must be returned to that office after proper approvals have been received.

Academic Fresh Start

The “Academic Fresh Start” is a plan of academic forgiveness provided for students who have demonstrated academic responsibility following their re-entrance to college. Readmitted students who were formerly enrolled at Cleveland State Community College, as well as transfer students, who meet institutional requirements for admission and who have been separated from all institutions of higher education for a minimum of four years are eligible for the Fresh Start. In order to be granted a Fresh Start, the student, at the time of readmission or admission as a degree-seeking student, must make formal application to the Office of Admissions and Records requesting the Fresh Start and describing an academic plan. After satisfying the requirements, the student will be granted the Academic Fresh Start. The student’s permanent record will remain a record of all work; however, the student will forfeit the use for degree or certification purposes all college or university degree credit earned prior to the four-year separation upon the granting of the Fresh Start. Previously satisfied placement test requirements will not be forfeited. The student may be granted the Academic Fresh Start only once. All Tennessee Board of Regents institutions will honor a Fresh Start provision granted at another TBR institution.

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Academic Recognition

Each semester the President will recognize students achieving a 4.0 average by placing their names on the President’s List. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will recognize outstanding students each term by placing their names on the Dean’s List (3.50-3.99) or the Honor Roll (3.0-3.499). To qualify for these awards, a student must have completed at least 12 credit hours of college-level courses during the term. This status is recognized only once per semester and status is granted based on the GPA as of the finalization of grades.

Awards

The Distinguished Graduate Award will be given at spring Commencement ceremonies to the graduating student who has contributed most to the advancement and betterment of Cleveland State Community College. The Distinguished Faculty Award is bestowed annually upon the instructor judged to reflect the highest standards of professional excellence in service. The Distinguished Staff Award is given to the college staff member who is judged to have contributed most to maintaining the highest standards of excellence in service to the institution and its constituencies. Several Student Awards are given to students who have distinguished themselves in their major areas of study or service.

Honors Program

The Honors Program is for students who excel in academics and have a desire to explore in greater depth the major topics covered in the curriculum. The Honors Program, designed to augment the course work required for a degree, is open to all students who meet qualifying criteria.

Honors Achievement Designation

To receive the Honors Achievement Designation, a student must complete 18 hours of Honors course work (including four hours of honors program specific courses which may be any combination of Honors Colloquium, Leadership Development, or Interdisciplinary Prespectives.) with an overall average of 3.0 or better while meeting the associate degree requirements and have a 3.25 GPA at graduation.

Honors Recognition

To receive the Honors Recognition Award, a student must complete 12 hours of Honors course work (including one hour of honors program specific courses which may be Honors Colloquium, Leadership Development, or Interdisciplinary Perspectives.) with an overall average of 3.0 or better while meeting the associate degree requirements and have a 3.25 GPA at graduation.

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Honors Sample

Students who meet qualifying criteria may sample a few Honors courses. All applications are reviewed by the Honors Review Committee. For information about Honors course descriptions, please see the catalog index for page numbers. Contact the Honors Program Director at (423) 472-7141, Ext. may be substituted for any of the above-listed courses.

Degree Requirements

For the AA, students should take six credit hours of Foreign Language. For the AS, students should also take six credit hours of Foreign Language if they are planning on taking a second year of Foreign Language. A maximum of nine credit hours from the list may be transferred to CSCC from another college. A minimum of nine credit hours, therefore, must be completed at CSCC. The minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) required to achieve the associate degree or certificate is 2.0.

Academic Standing

Consistent with the standards of good academic practice and in compliance with Tennessee Board of Regents policy No. 2:03:01:01, Cleveland State Community College reviews the academic standing and progress of students at the close of each semester. Graduation. Progression. Min. Sem. Min. Academic Probation. When a student re-enrolls at Cleveland State following a suspension, his/her status will be considered post-suspension probation.

Appeal of Academic Suspension

A student may appeal his/her suspension. Appeals must be submitted in writing along with supporting documentation to the Director of Admissions and Records who may convene the Admissions and Records Subcommittee for deliberation. If the appeal is successful, the student will be placed on post-suspension probation. Repeated Suspensions.

Degree and Certificate Requirements

NOTICE: Degree and certificate requirements shall remain in effect for a maximum of seven years from the beginning of the first academic term covered by this catalog. Subject to the seven-year limit, students may choose to graduate under the provisions of the catalog in effect the year they entered Cleveland State Community College or under a later catalog in effect for any term they are enrolled.

Intent to Graduate

Intent to Graduate Form-Students are encouraged to complete the intent to graduate form during the semester preceding the semester of anticipated graduation. The cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA ) in all college credit course work must be at least 2.0 or higher. The minimum number of semester credit hours required for a degree is 60. Certificates may vary in credit hour requirements.

Course Substitutions

Substitutions for required courses in student’s curriculum must have the advisor clearly state in writing the desired substitution and reason for the request. Course substitutions must be approved by the student’s advisor, the appropriate department dean, Director of Admissions and Records, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Required Testing

Required Testing-All graduates in degree programs must take a graduation exit exam. In addition, any or all students may be required to take one or more tests designed to measure general education achievement and achievement in major areas as prerequisites to graduation and for the purpose of evaluation of academic programs. Unless otherwise indicated in an individual program, no minimum score or level of achievement for exit testing is required for graduation. Participation in testing may be required of all students, of students in selected programs and of students selected on a sample basis.

Multiple Degrees or Certificates

Multiple Degrees or Certificates-Students cannot receive multiple AA or AS degrees at a TBR institution. However, students may receive multiple AAS degrees and/or certificates either simultaneously or at separate times provided all requirements are met. Students may also receive a combination of degrees such as AS and AA, AA and AAS or AS and AAS. At least 16 hours of additional credit that is not applied to the first major, must be completed for each additional degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Commencement Ceremony

Commencement Ceremony-Commencement is the formal conferring of a degree or certificate upon the student who has satisfied all requirements. The ceremony is conducted once each year at the conclusion of the spring term and is open to students who have completed all requirements since the previous commencement and to those who have filed proper notice to graduate in the summer term following the current commencement.

Academic Advising

Advisors are assigned through the Office of Admissions and Records to assist students in establishing and pursuing academic objectives. However, it is the full responsibility of all students to read the catalog and meet the requirements of their programs. Some mandatory course placement is possible if tests and/or counseling indicate needed improvement through developmental courses.

Semester System

Cleveland State Community College operates on the semester system with the standard academic year consisting of two terms of 15 weeks each. There are selected accelerated alternatives provided throughout the year. Any scheduled class may be cancelled by the college. A degree-seeking student will be classified as a Freshman until the completion of 30 semester hours, after which the student will be classified as a Sophomore. The normal credit load for a full-time student is 15-18 credit hours per semester. The maximum full time student load without special permission is 20 credit hours per semester.

General Education Core

The purpose of the Tennessee Board of Regents’ general education core is to ensure that college students have the broad knowledge and skills to become lifelong learners in a global community that will continue to change. Because courses in general education should emphasize breadth, they should not be reduced in design to the skills, techniques or procedures associated with a specific occupation or profession. As a fundamental element of the baccalaureate degree essential for full completion of all majors and minors, the general education core is included in lower-division courses; but universities may add general education courses at the upper-division as well. General education provides critical thinking skills for analysis to continue to seek truths, to discover answers to questions and to solve problems. Specifically, educated people practice and are literate in the various methods of communication. They recognize their place in the history, culture and diverse heritages of Tennessee, the United States and the world. They appreciate the web of commonality of all humans in a multicultural world and are prepared for the responsibilities of an engaged citizenship. They recognize the ethical demands of our common lives. They demonstrate the skills and knowledge of the social and behavioral sciences to analyze their contemporary world. They are familiar with the history and aesthetics of the fine arts. Finally, Tennessee’s general education core provides for its citizens the means to make a better living. The goal of the Humanities and/or Fine Arts requirement: To enhance the understanding of students who, as citizens and educated members of their communities, need to know and appreciate their own human cultural heritage a…

Final Exam Policies

Faculty planning to hold final exams at a specified time for all students in their class are expected to offer the exam during the regularly scheduled final exam day and time per the existing exam schedule in order prevent scheduling conflicts for students.

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