Understanding the LSU GPA Scale: A Comprehensive Guide
Louisiana State University (LSU) employs a specific GPA calculation system. This article aims to clarify the nuances of the LSU GPA scale, addressing common questions and providing a detailed explanation for prospective and current students.
LSU's Core GPA Calculation
At its foundation, LSU, like many other institutions, uses a 4.0 GPA scale. However, several key specifics differentiate LSU's approach.
Core Courses
Only academic core courses are considered in the GPA calculation. These courses meet the Louisiana Board of Regents' requirements. They typically encompass subjects like English, mathematics, sciences, social sciences, and foreign languages.
Weighted GPA for Advanced Courses
LSU utilizes a weighted GPA for specific courses. Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), gifted, honors, and dual enrollment courses receive additional weight. Regular level courses are weighed on a 4.0 scale, while advanced courses are weighed on a 5.0 scale. For example, an A in an advanced course yields 5 points, whereas an A in a regular course yields 4 points. This system encourages students to undertake challenging coursework and provides a boost in GPA calculation.
Detailed Breakdown of LSU Grading Policies
LSU's grading system encompasses various aspects, including letter grades, quality points, and policies regarding incomplete grades, repeated courses, and pass/fail options.
Read also: Decoding the 5.0 GPA Scale
Letter Grades and Quality Points
Grades of “A,” “B,” and “C” are given for satisfactory work. A grade of “A” indicates distinguished mastery of the course material; a grade of “B,” good mastery; a grade of “C,” acceptable mastery. A grade of “D” indicates minimally acceptable achievement for credit. A grade of “F” is failing.
Quality points are assigned to letter grades as follows:
- A: 4 quality points
- B: 3 quality points
- C: 2 quality points
- D: 1 quality point
- F: 0 quality points
The grade-point average of a student is determined by the ratio of quality points earned to semester hours attempted. Grades of “P,” “NC,” “I,” and “W” are not used in the computation of the official grade average of a student, and, therefore, do not carry quality points.
Plus/Minus Grading
LSU employs a plus/minus grading system. Grades before Fall 2015 are letter grades without a suffix. The formula for calculating the GPA does not change.
Pass/Fail Grading Option
Some courses allow Pass/Fail grading. In undergraduate courses with pass-fail grading, the grade of “P” is given for work of “C” quality or better. Courses passed with a grade of “P” may be offered for degree credit, but the grade is not considered in computing the GPA. Through the last day to add courses for credit, students may, with appropriate approval, change from pass-fail to graded status and vice versa.
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For graduate credit, a grade of P is equivalent to the letter grade of B- or higher in courses for graduate credit. A grade of S is equivalent to the letter grade of B- or higher and a grade of U is defined as equivalent to the letter grade of C+ or lower.
"I" (Incomplete) Grades
Work, which because of circumstances beyond the student’s control, is incomplete, may be marked “I” (incomplete) with the appropriate dean’s office permission. “I” grades are only considered for approval when an extraordinary situation occurs at or after the university’s deadline to resign for the semester, as specified in the “Academic Calendar”. In addition, the student must have completed at least 75% of course requirements, including homework, exams, submissions, or any other graded material, regardless of course modality. Under normal circumstances, the request for an “I” grade must be made prior to the final examination date for the course in which the “I” grade is being requested. It is the student’s responsibility to promptly notify an authorized representative of their academic dean’s office and provide appropriate documentation to support the “I” grade request. An approved “I” grade allows the student to make up coursework that was missed due to the extenuating documented circumstances. An “I” grade is given only upon receipt by the instructor of appropriate authorization from the student’s academic dean’s office. If authorization is not received, the instructor is to consider that the delinquent work is of failing quality, and an “I” grade is not to be given. A grade of “I” will be converted to “F” unless it is removed prior to the final date for resigning without a “W” in the next semester or session, excluding intersession, as published in the Academic Calendar. In extraordinary cases, the Chancellor may authorize that the “I” grade become permanent or may authorize an extension of time for removing the grade.
Repeated Courses
When a student, having taken a course in the LSU System, is permitted to repeat the course in the LSU System for credit, the latter of the two grades earned shall be the one which determines acceptability of the course for degree credit. All instances of repeated courses are included in grade-point average calculations; however, credit will be awarded only for the last repetition. A student may not repeat a course in which a grade of “C” or better has been earned unless the catalog description indicates that the course may be repeated for credit or the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs approves the repetition for some special reason. If a student registers for a course in violation of the above policy, the student may be denied degree credit for the course. Students who receive a grade of “F” in a course must repeat the course in the LSU System in order to receive credit for it.
"W" Grades
A “W” will be entered on the student’s record for any course dropped within the dates specified in the “Academic Calendar”. After that time, students may not drop courses unless authorized to do so by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. A student who stops attending or never attends a class for which the student is registered will not be assigned a “W’” unless the course(s) are dropped prior to the deadline in the Academic Calendar. The student will normally receive an “F” for such a class and may, as a result, be ineligible for further financial aid and/or for readmission for a semester or longer. A “W” grade will be entered on a student’s record for any course dropped as indicated in the last column in the table above. A “W” grade will be entered on a student’s record for any course dropped between the deadline for dropping courses without receiving a grade of “W” and the final date for resigning from the University and/or dropping courses. “W” grades do not affect a student’s GPA; however, an excessive number reflects negatively on a student’s record and involves substantial cost by way of tuition, books, room and board, and lost opportunities. Students are allowed a maximum of 10 course withdrawals during their academic career.
GPA and Rounding
For all academic purposes, grade-point averages shall be specified to three significant figures (two decimal places), with the last figure to reflect rounding from a four-significant-figure (three decimal places) average where such is available. If the third figure after the decimal point is a five or higher, upward rounding shall occur. If the third figure after the decimal point is less than five, it shall be dropped, regardless of what the fourth or subsequent figures may be. Thus, 3.9550 becomes 3.96, and 3.9549 becomes 3.95. Regardless of the results of rounding, no student shall be deemed to have graduated with a 4.0 average if any grade other than A or Pass for courses completed appears on the transcript.
Read also: GPA for Purdue Admission
Academic Standing
Academic Standing is calculated at the culmination of the fall and spring academic periods. With the exception of students failing to complete the Scholastic Drop - Summer Only program, no negative academic action will be taken during the summer term. LSU Online students will have their academic standing calculated at the culmination of second fall, second spring, and second summer modules.
At the end of any academic term in which totals are being calculated, students will be placed on University Scholastic Warning if their LSU or overall GPAs are below a 2.00. A notation to that effect will be recorded on their transcripts. At the end of any academic term in which academic standing is being calculated, students will be placed on University Scholastic Probation if their semester or paired module GPA is below a 2.00 and they are currently on University Scholastic Warning. A notation to that effect will be recorded on their transcripts. Students on University Scholastic Probation that do not increase their LSU and overall GPAs to a minimum of 2.00 will have the opportunity to return to University Scholastic Warning. At the end of any academic term in which academic standing is being calculated, students on University Scholastic Probation will be dropped from the university if their semester or paired module average is less than a 2.00. A notation to that effect will be recorded on their transcripts. On-campus students that are scheduled to be scholastically dropped at the end of the spring semester may enroll in the sum…
Academic Probation and Drop
Students who have attempted a minimum of 15 semester hours will be placed on academic probation whenever their cumulative grade point averages fall below 2.000. Students who transfer to LSU Eunice with less than 24 semester hours and who have a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.00 will be admitted on probation and subject to the scholastic requirements listed above. Students can be placed on academic probation or dropped from LSUE on the basis of unsatisfactory grades only at the end of a regular semester. Students cannot be placed on probation or dropped from LSUE on the basis of work taken during the summer term. Students who are dropped for the first time for academic performance may not be considered for readmission until they have been out of LSU Eunice for one regular semester. However, students may apply for readmission through the academic appeal process in the Office of the Registrar. Students who have been dropped twice for academic performance must remain out of LSU Eunice for at least two regular semesters. Students may apply for readmission through the academic appeal process in the Office of the Registrar. Students who have been dropped three times or more for academic reasons will be dropped indefinitely. These students will not be considered for readmission for one year. Students who have been dropped may enroll in summer school at LSU Eunice. Students who remove all quality point deficiencies during the summer term may enroll in the fall semester. Removal of all quality point deficiencies means that, because of credit earned during the summer, the student’s LSU and overall grade-point average is now 2.00 or greater.
Graduation with Honors
GPA plays a crucial role in determining academic honors. For example, to graduate cum laude, the lowest GPA must be at least 3.7.
University Medal
The University Medal is awarded to students with exceptionally high GPAs. Students with an applicable GPA of 4.0 or higher are awarded the Medal. Grades earned under the Pass/Fail Policy are included in calculating the GPA to determine Medalists.
Other important academic policies
Registration
Students may attend class only after completing registration, which includes payment of fees as stipulated in “Fees.” The Office of the Registrar will provide evidence of proper registration to instructors. Registering for courses, changing sections, dropping courses, or resigning from LSUE after the final date provided by the Academic Calendar must be by special permission from the Office of Academic Affairs. If a student changes home or local address after registration, then the student is expected to notify the Office of the Registrar in writing at once. Under the provisions of Act No. 185 of the 1985 Louisiana Legislature and in accordance with a resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University: “No person who is required to register for the federal draft under the provisions of the Federal Military Selective Service Act shall be eligible to enroll in a post-secondary school until such person has registered for the draft.” Students are responsible for complying with this Act prior to registering for classes at LSU Eunice. Students must complete registration, including payment of fees as stipulated in the “Undergraduate Fees and Expenses” section of this catalog, to attend class. The Office of the University Registrar will provide evidence of registration to instructors. The Course Section and Moodle Class Rosters indicate if students are officially registered. When first enrolled in the university, students are issued permanent photo identification cards (Tiger Cards) at no cost. Lost or stolen ID cards must be reported to the Tiger Card Office, 109 LSU Student Union, as soon as the loss or theft is discovered. A charge is assessed to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated ID card, even if the student is re-enrolling after an interruption of study. Students are expected to keep the university informed of their current addresses. Students will be held responsible for communication from any university office sent to the most recent address(es) provided. Physical location is an important factor for student’s enrolled in educational programming at LSU especially in programs that lead directly to certification/licensure. Licensing, certification, and authorization requirements vary by state. Therefore, it is crucial for students to supply the university the address in which they are physically located. Students are responsible for ensuring that they are properly registered for their classes.
Attendance
Students should observe any special attendance regulations stated by their college, school, division, or the instructor. The instructor may report a student’s absences and the student may be placed on attendance probation by his or her dean. For online courses, logging into a course’s management system (e.g., Moodle) does not constitute attendance in that course. An absence due to illness or other causes beyond a student’s control will be excused when the instructor is convinced that the reason for absence is valid. Instructors will excuse any student who is unable to attend or participate in class or an examination on a religious holiday supported by the student’s religious beliefs. To derive maximum benefit from a course, the student should attend class regularly and punctually. Absence from class for any reason, avoidable or unavoidable, results in a loss to the student. Absences, if excessive, may be a direct cause of low achievement or even failure. The student is expected to resolve his or her absence and class tardiness with the instructor. Students who absent themselves from LSU Eunice without leave and without official resignation will, at the end of the semester, receive grades of “F” in courses for which they are registered.
Course Syllabi and Grading Responsibility
Faculty members are expected to announce to classes the general components from which the final grade will be determined, along with their approximate weights, at the beginning of the semester. On request, students should be provided a review of all graded material, including final examinations, which contribute to the course grade, and a review of the method by which the grade was determined. Unreturned examinations and graded materials are kept on file for at least six months following the conclusion of a course. At the beginning of each semester, faculty members must distribute written course syllabi in all courses, graduate and undergraduate, clearly stating the relative weight of the component factors of the final grade. It is the right and responsibility of faculty members to determine and assign the grade for each student enrolled in their courses beyond the final date for withdrawing with a “W,” as specified in the “Academic Calendar”. In extraordinary circumstances that make it impossible for the instructor to fulfill the responsibility of determining a course grade, the department chair shall assign the grade. In such a case, the department chair may elect to award the grade of “P” (Pass).
Transcripts
Upon submission of an order through Parchment transcript service, former and currently enrolled students may obtain complete transcripts of their academic records, provided they are current in their financial obligations to the university (all LSU campuses). Requests must be authorized by the student. Partial transcripts are not issued. Normally, two days of processing are required after the transcript request is received. At the beginning or end of a semester, considerably more time may be required. The transcript will include the calculated cumulative GPA on student transcripts.
Advanced Standing and Credit by Examination
The advanced-standing program is open to students possessing superior ability and academic preparation. The program permits eligible students to demonstrate academic competence through examinations. Students who earn acceptable scores on these examinations are placed in higher level courses and receive credit in courses by-passed. Credit by examination is limited to 30 semester hours. Credit is awarded only in areas which fall within LSU Eunice’s regular curricular offerings and which are appropriately related to the student’s educational goals. This credit cannot be used to reduce the minimum residence requirement for graduation. LSU Eunice Divisionally Administered Examinations: considered equivalent to final examinations. Ordinarily, to initiate examinations, students must obtain permission from the dean offering the courses and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Students may apply for these tests only after they have been admitted to LSU Eunice. A student must petition to take an LSU Eunice Divisional Examination by the end of the 14th class day. In certain disciplines, divisionally administered examinations may be required for placement purposes. The student must have been admitted to LSU Eunice* and must be in good academic standing. If the examinations are taken while the student is not enrolled in LSU Eunice,* credit will be granted after registration for residence study. Advanced-standing examinations will be void and credit disallowed if a lapse of more than one calendar year occurs between the time the advanced-standing examination is taken and the student’s initial enrollment on this campus. To initiate examinations, a student must obtain permission from the dean of the departments offering the courses and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. After such permission is granted, the Office of the Registrar will issue an official permit. If a grade of C or higher is earned on the examination, a mark of P and regular credit in the course are entered on the student’s record. If a grade lower than C is earned, only the fact that the examination has been attempted will be recorded; credit will not be allowed. At LSU Eunice, advanced-standing examinations are given free of charge only to those students who are invited to take examinations at LSU Eunice.
Advanced Placement (AP) and CLEP Credit
Advanced placement and credit will be granted in appropriate subjects to freshmen who earn a grade of 3, 4, or 5 on the advanced-placement examination. About one-fourth of American secondary schools currently participate in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Each May, these examinations are administered by the College Board to students who have participated in the program. Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program of the College Entrance Examination Board: policies governing minimum required scores and the acceptance of credit are established by the appropriate academic departments. LSU Eunice allows credit on 25 CLEP subject examinations. (Credit is not permitted for CLEP general examinations.)
Resignation
A student may voluntarily resign from the university beginning with the first day of class through the final day for resigning shown in the “Academic Calendar”. Resignation is initiated in the office of the student’s academic dean. The student must obtain a resignation form and file the form with the Office of the University Registrar within 10 days after it has been endorsed by each administrative office indicated on the form.
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